Natural Capitalists: Increasing Business Students’ Environmental Sensitivity

Abstract

Recently, management educators have proposed that colleges of business should enrich their curricula with environmental topics. However, there has been little research assessing how environmental materials affect business students. In this study, the authors examine the effect of a required course using six different measures of environmental concern. They found that business students expressed greater levels of environmental concern on each of the six measures at the end of this course. The authors discuss these results given the proposals to include environmental topics in business courses and suggest how to incorporate environmental materials into these courses.

Teaching sustainability to business students: shifting mindsets

“…Using the sustainability framework in teaching A number of researchers draw on opposing perspectives on sustainability to stimulate, and broaden, business students' interest in sustainability (Cordano et al, 2003;Kearins and Springett, 2003;Rusinko, 2005;Springett, 2005). Kearins and Springett (2003) and Springett (2005) present two perspectives -weak sustainability (neoclassical perspective) and the more radical strong sustainability (deep ecology perspective) -and use critical theory to inform their teaching.…”

A Principle-Attribute Matrix for Environmentally Sustainable Management Education and Its Application

“…Increase students' awareness of environmental laws and regulations and of the ethical implications Newman (1993) of environmental issues Help managers better understand and manage environmental issues Hassan (1993) and Pesonen (2003) Increase students' awareness of the strategic implications of environmental issues, especially the Herbig and Butler (1993) opportunities of greener products Awaken individuals' awareness of the land they occupy to make environmental consequences Gilbert (2003) and Walck (2003) of managerial choices more visible and relevant Attitudes Prepare students to make responsible choices regarding environmental issues in their professional lives Thorne (1993) Increase students' sensitivity to environmental issues and concerns Cordano, Ellis, and Scherer (2003) Foster an environmental consciousness and increase environmental respect and responsibility Patterson and Patterson (1993) and among students Buchholz (1993) Advance environmental values and practices in businesses Starik (1993) Skills Help students develop a holistic, systemic appreciation of sustainability and the barriers to it that facilitates Bradbury (2003) their contributing to both personal and multipersonal changes that advance sustainability Prepare students to contribute to the development of a sustainable economy by preparing them to help Rands (1993a) bring about environmentally sustainable changes in organizations Help students develop a critical skill-set of reflexivity, critique, and social action/engagement (praxis) Kearins and Springett (2003) that they can use in analysis and action to foster "strong" sustainability Help students develop environmental regulatory negotiation skills Ramus (2003) Other Help students become qualified to fill environment-related jobs in business organizations diBenedetto and Chandran (1993) Increase interdisciplinary collaboration to foster critical reflection and striving for best environmental Welsh and Murray (2003) practices "triple bottom line" (Elkington, 1998). Although extremely challenging, the principle...…”

Beyond 'Innocents Abroad': Reflecting on Sustainability Issues During International Study Trips+

“…Jesuit business schools are thus particularly qualified to teach business content integrated with corporate social responsibility, and including a sustainability dimension in their curricula is a growing trend (Reilly, 2013;Rusinko, 2010;Van Marrewijk & Werre, 2003). Prior research (e.g., Cordano, Ellis, & Scherer, 2003) suggests that adding these topics to business classes can sensitize students to sustainability-related issues as well as heighten their interest in this important area of management.…”