SAP SE: Autism at Work

Gary P. Pisano, Robert D. Austin

    Research output: Other contributionTeaching case

    Abstract

    This case describes SAP's 'Autism at Work' program, which integrates people with autism into the company's workforce. The company has a stated objective of making 1% o its workforce people with autism by 2020. SAP's rationale for the program is based on the belief that 'neurodiversity' contributes to the company's overall innovative capabilities ('We believe that innovation comes from the edges'). Thus, the program is not viewed as a subsidized Corporate Social Responsibility activity, but as a positive net benefit activity, as well as a way of addressing skills shortages by tapping into non-traditional pools of (considerable) talent. The case explores how SAP is also using the program to rethink and re-engineer its Human Resource Management policies and processes, to make them more inclusive and effective.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2016
    Place of PublicationBoston
    PublisherHarvard Business School Press
    Number of pages19
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Keywords

    • Software development
    • Human resource management
    • Diversity

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