Qualcomm

Qualcomm supports the Mentoring Women in Business Program, which it implemented in collaboration with several partners. The programme provides entrepreneurs in Malaysia with tablets and learning applications to enhance skills and knowledge in the areas of business and technology. The company also reports data on employees with disabilities and efforts to provide an inclusive workplace, such as providing closed captioning and sign language interpreters during meetings.  

The company has a number of initiatives for digital skills development and school connectivity carried out under the umbrella of its Wireless Reach programme. In the Philippines, Qualcomm partners on a programme teaching mobile literacy, enabling participants to become mobile money agents. Its Wireless Solutions for Fisheries in Senegal  initiative enhances the livelihoods of Senegalese fishers by teaching them how to use their mobile phones to gather market data, use weather apps and GPS applications, and access video instructions on best practices for fish processing. The company’s Thinkabit Lab initiative operates in schools across the United States, teaching coding and other technical skills. Qualcomm’s 21st Century Classroom provides curriculum support and connectivity via internetconnected smart boards to schools in rural China.  

Qualcomm follows best practice regarding high–level responsibility for cybersecurity, and monitoring and responding to security incidents.  

The company supports the tech innovation ecosystem through venture capital investment, an innovation lab for Indian start-ups, and support for social and non-profit entrepreneurs. Qualcomm also contributes to research on sustainability issues. For example, it supports dronebased research that aims to mitigate negative environmental effects on agriculture in Brazil. The company demonstrates research and development (R&D) diversity by reporting the number of women in technical roles and the locations of its R&D facilities.  

Qualcomm has an opportunity to support access to digital technologies for vulnerable groups. The company should report its economic value distribution among all stakeholders.  

The company has an opportunity to improve transparency by disclosing its contributions to its digital skills programmes. It should also arrange third-party assessments to better understand the impacts and potential for replication. 

Qualcomm should disclose whether it has international certification for its information security management. As a digital company, it should also make a high-level commitment to child online safety. 

The company has an opportunity to enhance its support for open standards and open source. It should also report on how it considers ethics in its R&D activities.