SAP SE: Autism at Work

Gary P. Pisano; Robert D. Austin

Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2016

SAP SE: Autism at Work

by Gary P. Pisano and Robert D. Austin

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% of 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.

Keywords: software; human resource management; Diversity Management; Germany; Selection and Staffing; Innovation and Management; Software; Recruitment; Diversity; Information Technology Industry; Germany;

Language: English

Format: Print

21 pages

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Citation:

Pisano, Gary P., and Robert D. Austin. "SAP SE: Autism at Work." Harvard Business School Case 616-042, January 2016.

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SAP SE: Autism at Work

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