TI's Corporate Nature

Corporate social responsibility became a topic of interest several years ago when companies began to change their behaviors due to pressure from society. People wanted to see large corporations do more for the community and the people that have given them such fiscal success. Since then, many companies created initiatives to volunteer time and donate money to communities and non-profits but not all of them have made these efforts part of their corporate culture. At Texas Instruments, doing good is more than just part of the job description.

Gail Chandler, APR, discussed the unique corporate environment in which she works and shared insight about TI's wonderful social responsibility efforts. These efforts were made possible by employees who truly enjoy what they do instead of being forced to participate in mandatory activities. These employees have not only helped create a wonderful image for TI, but they have helped create better communities in Dallas and all over the world.

"It's embedded in our culture to be involved in the community," said Chandler. TI's 28,000 employees have done things such as donate time to tutor children in a DISD school, create programs to educate more girls in science, and given aide to countries overseas. For TI's 25th anniversary in India, employees planted 25 trees for Earth Day, participated in various innovation contests with awards, and received free dialysis treatment for themselves and their family members. Similar events have been done in China for TI's 30th anniversary where schools were given money and multimedia equipment to further science education.

A dialysis patient in India who was cheered up by TI employees 



Students from a Chinese school that received multimedia classrooms from TI

"Throughout it all, the company has never changed its commitment to the community," said Chandler. This is not due to brainwashing or incentives, but the simple belief that global companies should have the greatest opportunity to make the biggest changes in the world. Employees are given every tool to make changes themselves and this is what drives the corporate culture at TI. People who know they can make a difference will be more willing to participate in efforts. TI's global status has become more than just a fiscal accomplishment; it has become a great humanitarian one as well.