Abstract

US-based NetApp Inc. (NetApp), founded in 1992, was a leading company in the network storage solutions industry. Ever since its inception, NetApp’s founders laid a major emphasis on developing a healthy work environment and making the company employee friendly. High importance was given to trust and integrity, team spirit and ambition to achieve higher goals. The company practiced open door policy, allowed flexible working hours and offered several other benefits to its employees. The company’s employee friendly policies were recognized by renowned magazines as one of the best companies to work for. For the year 2009, NetApp was ranked at the top position on the list of ‘100 Best Companies to Work For,’ by Fortune magazine.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Study the organizational culture and HR practices at NetApp that has been consistently voted as one of the ‘Best Companies to Work For’in the US. Examine the key elements of NetApp’s culture and understand how they contributed to high employee satisfactio

Keywords

NetApp Inc., Fortune, Best Companies to Work for, HR Practices, Employee Benefits, Employee Enthusiasm, NetApp Volunteer Benefit Program, Corporate Culture, Egalitarian Culture, Management Style, Training on All Special Tasks (TOAST), Recruitment, Buddy System, Flexible Working Options, Open door policy, NetAppreciation Awards, SHARE Rewards Program, Value-driven Company, Open Communication Culture, Leadership, Teamwork, Total Customer Experience Champions Program