Though the term “corporate social responsibility” is fairly new, Corning has long had the mindset that good corporate citizenship is an essential part of long-term business sustainability.
In the early 1920s -- shortly after World War I -- Corning was at the forefront of a U.S. movement to improve worker safety, provide employee health insurance, and establish on-site cafeterias and clinics. Corning went beyond the norm, also establishing recreation leagues, communications programs and even a company band for employees.
Employees, in turn, participated enthusiastically in community service. During the 1940s, for example, “half-day’s pay” drives helped benefit the American Red Cross and other charities.
The company continued to contribute toward post-World War II public infrastructure investments in its hometown of Corning, N.Y. It established the Corning Glass Center – later to be known as the Corning Museum of Glass – in 1951, a facility that would serve both as a community gathering place and house a glass collection that would attract visitors from around the world. A year later, the Corning Incorporated Foundation was established to help fund charitable efforts and support the quality of life in Corning, N.Y.
One of the most dramatic examples of Corning’s commitment to CSR came in 1972, after a devastating flood left many of its own Corning, N.Y. facilities – as well as the community’s historic downtown -- in ruins. Many nearby communities affected by the same floods simply neglected their damaged waterfront regions, letting them fall even further into decay. By contrast, Corning Incorporated led its hometown in a massive cleanup and restoration effort, investing significant corporate resources throughout the community. For months, the company also paid employees for their efforts to not only bring company facilities back into operating condition, but for putting muscle and organizational skills into community restoration as well. The revitalization effort paved the way for the town’s historic Market Street to become the thriving regional hub of shopping, dining and entertainment it remains today.
Another result of the flood recovery was a formalization of Corning’s role as a partner with other community organizations in regional economic development, education, infrastructure, and other aspects of community life that benefit Corning employees and their neighbors alike. For nearly 30 years, Corning Enterprises has led the collaboration between scores of local, state, and federal organizations, with millions of dollars in improvements benefiting the entire community.
As it expanded globally, Corning articulated its seven Values that are ingrained in the company culture: Quality, Integrity, Performance, Leadership, Innovation, Independence and The Individual. It has remained a leader at incorporating workforce concepts of diversity, equal opportunity, and benefits programs for a wide range of employee needs. New generations of employees – from Corning, N.Y. to Berlin to Beijing – have embraced the company’s Values and have personally committed themselves to corporate social responsibility.
The evidence of Corning’s CSR commitment is everywhere in these new market landscapes. Corning’s safety requirements for workers in Taiwan have helped set a new standard for other Taiwanese businesses. Villagers in remote sections of Southeast China have started thriving small businesses – and their children have well-equipped schools and equipment – thanks to a Corning microfinance project. CSR is once again defining how the company and its employees see themselves in the communities where they live and work.
Today, Corning Incorporated remains as committed to corporate social responsibility as it has always been. The company is moving forward with a corporate strategic framework that remains rooted in its Values. An evolving suite of green products, strict adherence to environmental control standards, a pristine record of corporate governance, charitable giving both locally and globally, and leading-edge programs for the well-being of employees are all intrinsic parts of doing business at Corning Incorporated. And this commitment will remain as the company moves forward into the next chapters of its history.
