Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? - The Case Centre

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We are closed from 11.45h (GMT) on Friday 19 December 2025 and will open again at 8h (GMT) on Monday 5 January 2026. Product details By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them. Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Case - Reference no. 408-057-1 Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 15 pages Data source: Published sources Topics: Google; HR (human resources) practices; 20% time; Innovative work culture; Best place to work for; Benefit packages; Retention; Recruiting machine; Competition for talent; Knowledge-based industries; Future; Workplace design; Employee benefits You must be logged in to access preview copies. Share a link: https://casecent.re/p/81201 Write a review | No reviews for this item View usage Login to add to your basket View our pricing guide or login to see prices.

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Abstract

Google, based in Mountain View, California, is the world's most popular search engine. The company is not just known for its innovative breakthroughs in the technology front, but is also known for its unique culture and innovative human resources (HR) policies. In a survey conducted by BusinessWeek magazine, Google was the most sought after company by college students, MBAs, women, engineers, and diverse individuals. Google ranked 1st on the 10th annual '100 Best Companies to Work For' list of Fortune, a well-known international business magazine. HR practices at Google is named 'People Operations', which is designed to underline the fact that it is not a mere administrative function, but ensures the building of a strong employee-employer relationship. Google's HR practices clearly reveal the impressive results of the company's approach, which help in increasing employee productivity. The case facilitates discussion on whether the 'Best Place to Work For' culture at Google is to really attract and motivate the employees or if it is with a business motive. Location: US Industry: IT Other setting(s): 2007 Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Teaching note - Reference no. 408-057-8 Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 11 pages Data source: Published sources View full details Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Case - Reference no. F408-057-1 French language Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 21 pages Data source: Published sources Topics: Google; HR (human resources) practices; 20% time; Innovative work culture; Best place to work for; Benefit packages; Retention; Recruiting machine; Competition for talent; Knowledge-based industries; Future; Workplace design; Employee benefits View full details Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Structured assignment - Reference no. 408-057-4 Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 2 pages Data source: Published sources Topics: Google; HR (human resources) practices; 20% time; Innovative work culture; Best place to work for; Benefit packages; Retention; Recruiting machine; Competition for talent; Knowledge-based industries; Future; Workplace design; Employee benefits View full details

About

Abstract

Google, based in Mountain View, California, is the world's most popular search engine. The company is not just known for its innovative breakthroughs in the technology front, but is also known for its unique culture and innovative human resources (HR) policies. In a survey conducted by BusinessWeek magazine, Google was the most sought after company by college students, MBAs, women, engineers, and diverse individuals. Google ranked 1st on the 10th annual '100 Best Companies to Work For' list of Fortune, a well-known international business magazine. HR practices at Google is named 'People Operations', which is designed to underline the fact that it is not a mere administrative function, but ensures the building of a strong employee-employer relationship. Google's HR practices clearly reveal the impressive results of the company's approach, which help in increasing employee productivity. The case facilitates discussion on whether the 'Best Place to Work For' culture at Google is to really attract and motivate the employees or if it is with a business motive.

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Location: US Industry: IT Other setting(s): 2007

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Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Teaching note - Reference no. 408-057-8 Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 11 pages Data source: Published sources View full details Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Case - Reference no. F408-057-1 French language Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 21 pages Data source: Published sources Topics: Google; HR (human resources) practices; 20% time; Innovative work culture; Best place to work for; Benefit packages; Retention; Recruiting machine; Competition for talent; Knowledge-based industries; Future; Workplace design; Employee benefits View full details Google's HR Practices: A Strategic Edge? Structured assignment - Reference no. 408-057-4 Subject category: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour Authors: Doris Rajakumari John (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Florence Nightingale (ICFAI Business School, Chennai); Pasupuleti Girija Swaraj (IBS Case Development Center) Published by: IBS Research Center Published in: 2008 Length: 2 pages Data source: Published sources Topics: Google; HR (human resources) practices; 20% time; Innovative work culture; Best place to work for; Benefit packages; Retention; Recruiting machine; Competition for talent; Knowledge-based industries; Future; Workplace design; Employee benefits View full details