By Emily Jacobs
SAP is doubling the number of employees sent to help entrepreneurs and smaller companies solve business challenges in emerging markets.
In the next phase of the social sabbatical initiative, part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, SAP is investing €1.8 million to strengthen the leadership skills of qualified employees and foster education and entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities.
“SAP is a place where the next generation of leaders can apply their talents to improve people’s lives and make an impact on the world around them,” said Torie Clarke, senior vice president of Global Corporate Affairs, SAP AG.
“The social sabbatical allows us to provide our people with innovative development opportunities while strengthening entrepreneurship in emerging economies.”
Research by PYXERA Global, a non-profit economic organisation and a social sabbatical development partner with SAP, found that four times as many companies are sending employees to volunteer their skills in growing markets, compared to five years ago.
The social sabbatical initiative was launched by SAP in 2012 with 30 employees in three countries – Brazil, India and South Africa. This year, it will grow to China, working with non-profits that support local entrepreneurs in Shanghai. SAP is hoping to expand its presence in China by investing over US$2 billion by 2015.
SAP plans to offer extra assignments in spring 2014.
