Integrating sustainability into business curricula: University of New Hampshire case study

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate how sustainable development education can be implemented at business schools, despite institutional barriers, through innovative and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Businesses are beginning to accept their social responsibility through proactive approaches to maximizing their net social contribution, embracing opportunities and managing risks resulting from their economic, environmental and social impacts. Yet, many business schools are lagging in integration of sustainability into their curriculum, and as a result are not adequately educating future business leaders. Design/methodology/approach – This case study presents the challenges in developing and implementing sustainability education, as well as analyzes the various underlying drivers of these barriers. The paper provides a detailed description of some of the ways one business school has overcome these barriers, and provides generalizable insights that can help other business schools and universities understand how they can engage in the implementation of similar sustainable development programs. Findings – As business educators, we should reevaluate our role and our focus. Through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research and community and industry engagement, sustainability can become firmly established within the existing value structure of business schools. Originality/value – While many business schools worldwide are discussing the importance of integrating sustainability into their curricula, and while employers and students are demanding the same, few business schools have genuinely made progress in meeting these demands. This paper presents both the challenges to integrating sustainability and an in-depth study of one business school’s approach to creating unique and innovative solutions to overcome these barriers.