Volume 8, Issue 7, July – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Education and Awareness Creation on Sustainability

Practices, the Role of Teachers in Business Schools
Frank Boateng Agyei
PhD Candidate
Department of Finance Accounting and Cost Control, ICN Business School, France

Abstract:- The aim of the research paper is to will help in achieving proper shared value for both
understand the role of teachers in business schools in shareholders and stakeholders who have direct or indirect
enforcing sustainability practices in their respective interest in the operations of a specific business unit.
schools with concentration on curriculum design, (Friedman,2007)
teaching in the classrooms and providing support and
encouragement to their students to actively make Practicing sustainability has become very challenging
sustainability a part in their day-to-day activities since in the world today, of which Business schools are no
they will graduate from schools to join societies. There exception. It is therefore relevant for teachers in business
are a lot of campaigns and advocacy by the international schools to set clear examples in teaching and encouraging
community and governments like the USA, UK, and the students to be well equipped in embracing practical
EU with respect to sustainability and its practices, the sustainable principles whiles in school, to serve as a
problem is whether, these advocacies could translate into motivation to all stakeholders in their effort to protect the
equal levels of acceptance by the faculty members and planet, since sustainability is practice driven. Neglecting
reflect in student’s enrollment, addressing this dilemma sustainability and its practices in our daily lives would mean
could help solve sustainability challenges in societies and putting the lives of many including biodiversity at risk
industries as well. The researcher seeks to make clarity meaning waste, emissions, irresponsible usage of energy,
on the need for proper collaboration on curriculum carbon, and environmental footprints would be on the rise.
designs, and full commitment by faculty members in (Foo and Tan 2016; Denedo et al 2019). In lieu of this
business schools on sustainability. In lieu of this, clear background, the research question will be:
suggestions and recommendations are presented at the
conclusion part based on a case study analysis of What role(s) do teachers play in helping to design a
Australian universities. The stakes of sustainability in practice-based curriculum, that could encourage and
UK universities were also taken into consideration in a train business students on sustainability practices in
report by the People and Planet Universities League. It is saving the planet for the benefit of societies?
therefore recommended that; all stakeholders should
accept, collaborate, and encourage students to enroll in II. DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY
studying programs relating to sustainability and its
practices in building a better society for the benefit of According to the Brundtland Commission
the majority and save our planet. (WCED)1987” sustainability is defined as meeting the needs
of present generations without compromising the ability of
Keywords:- Sustainability Practices, Sustainable future generations to meet their needs”. Emphasis on
Development Goals, Curriculum Design, Student sustainability is normally laid on individuals, societies,
Enrolment. businesses, and corporate bodies to be careful with their
actions and practices in protecting the planet for the benefits
I. INTRODUCTION of the majority. (Pearce and Atkinson 1998; Gray and
Bebbington,2000).
In recent times, pandemics and economic crisis has
taught corporations around the world lessons with respect to  Concepts of Sustainability
sustainability practices and thus to remain relevant in Sustainability considers the social, environmental and
business, corporate organizations need to prioritize, governance paradigms of corporate bodies and how these
incorporate sustainable practices and actions into their measures create value for the benefits of the majority. These
corporate strategy to remain competitive and survive. dimensions of sustainability clearly tread on the triple
(Fowler and Hope,2007) bottom line theory which is about the people, planet, and
profit (3P, s) in connecting the environment and social
This implies that, the onus of responsibility lies with wellbeing of the people, a responsibility for the benefits of
teachers in business schools in encouraging their students to the majority. It can be argued from the point of view that,
practice sustainability, focusing on the relevance of despite the growing campaign about sustainability practices,
curriculum design, creating awareness and advocacy in their there is the need for teachers in business schools to be on
respective schools as they prepare their students for the deck in finding absolute solutions through proper teaching
world of work.(Springett, 2010;A.Barber et al 2014) This and learning procedures. (Elkington,2004). This is possible

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 Volume 8, Issue 7, July – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
when students are properly enrolled in specific sustainable  Awareness and Advocacy on Sustainability Amongst
areas of study and are exposed to their responsibilities at an Students
early stage in helping to make the world a better place. Awareness creation, which involves community
engagement and advocacy on sustainability can be in the
III. CURRICULUM DESIGN BY TEACHERS ON form of innovation, adopted by faculty members in
SUSTAINABILITY collaboration with students’ associations, thus actively
engaging in school and community-based activities like tree
According to UNESCO ‘curriculum is a description of planting, education, campaign on proper waste collection
what, why, how, and how well students should learn in a and disposal. (O'Meara et al 2011) These are very
systematic and intentional way. Indeed, curriculum is not an significant activities in communities and can be achieved
end but rather a means to fostering quality teaching and when students are encouraged by teachers to actively
learning in students in an educational institution. participate in school and community-based activities in
creating awareness and addressing challenges of specific
Curriculum therefore carries educational ideas, that are environmental practices and its repercussions on the
carried out by facilitators in an educational institution, an citizenry. (Saltmarsh, 2017;Garrecht, et al 2018) In doing
idea which helps in developing what is to be taught by this, it will foster good relationship between the community
teachers including values, beliefs and standards which will and the specific schools this is likely to contribute to
help shape the perspectives of learners.( Smith,2010).It is in building trust between the schools, community, and other
this background that, calls for curriculum integration is stakeholders in fighting unsustainable practices. (Denedo et
needed an option that specifically deals with subjects, that al 2019)
are closely related to individual perceptions, norms, and
attitudes about the environment. This indeed will help both V. AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES APPROACH
schools and individual learners in their capacity in TO SUSTAINABILITY
contributing their quota to SDG, s and sustainability.
Curriculum can also serve as a panacea in dealing with Between 2008 and 2010, the campaign to engage all
sustainable practices and its challenges, a responsibility that stakeholders especially those in the education sector into
teachers need to encourage in helping students to learn having a positive perception about the environment in
international best practices about the environment, this Australia has increased, it was realized that the transition to
responsibility cannot be neglected. (Galea,2017) The sustainability can start from business schools whose core
mentioned are only possible if sustainability becomes an duty is to train students for the community. It is a fact that,
integral part of the curriculum design and student life. One most of the populace accepts this assertion, but the question
of the key functions of curriculum is that it indicates the that remains unanswered is the readiness of the business
steps in between, the role of learners in achieving set schools in Australia to take up this responsibility and make
objectives using their cognitive, emotional, and physical it reflect in their enrollment and other sustainability related
abilities, an indication of making them responsible through activities in preparing students for careers in sustainability.(
proper instructional design (Briggs,1991; O’Neill,2015). Shah et al 2022;Bar et al 2008))The transition to
sustainability, therefore, will represents a major shift in
IV. TEACHING SUSTAINABILITY IN public thinking and in business practice taking into
BUSINESS SCHOOLS consideration students’ enrolment in Australia, available
data shows that only one third of students are enrolled in
According to UNESCO, there are 235 million students Business Management and Business-related disciplines, a
enrolled in universities around the world. (UNESCO,2008). figure that is growing around 4% Per Anum on average. It is
These students will graduate to join societies and the also indicated in the study that mixed programs of study,
working population in contributing their quota to the success including other disciplines that are related to sustainability
of the mentioned. (Walker,2016; Lubin and Esty 2010), it is in Australian universities are experiencing an abysmal
therefore advisable for teachers in business schools to lay growth of about 43% p.a. According to the Australian
emphasis on the roles of the younger generation especially Department of Education, Skills and Employment, this
those under their supervision, in adhering to best growth is significant, in both private and public universities,
environmental practices, since sustainability is practice but stakeholders need to do more to incorporate
driven and needs to be embraced by the learners. (Von Der sustainability into their academic calendar in encouraging a
Heidt and Lamberton, 2011) lot of students pursuing the subject in question. (Tilbury et
al 2005; Von Der Heidt and Lamberton, 2011).
It is of no doubt that, teachers in business schools have
a responsibility in the classroom to help students get  Enrolment Statistics of Australian Universities on
prepared for the tasks ahead of them on sustainability and Sustainability
clearly teach with examples to make an impact after students The table below shows the aggregation of students
graduate to join the working population. Obviously, this enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs from
achievement can only start from the classroom when much 2008 to 2010 relating to data available on sustainability in
emphasis is laid on sustainability because teachers are seen Australian universities.
to have both direct or indirect influence on subjects and
students as well. (Shah et al 2022)

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 Volume 8, Issue 7, July – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Table 1 The Aggregation of Students Enrolled in Both Undergraduate and Graduate Programs from 2008 To 2010
Level Subjects Years
Undergraduates 2010 2009 2008
Ethics and Sustainability 467 503 511
Sustainable Business Management 71 87 42
Graduates
Managing Sustainable Organizations 2 8 NA
Critical Issues in Management 20 32 50

Source: Von der Heidt and Lamberton (2011).

The report above clearly identifies a dilemma on the footprints, achieving sustainability targets and strategies.
number of students enrolled in sustainable related programs (Latter and Capstick,2021).
in Australian universities and the number of students
completing sustainability units from 2008 to 2010.The study Three universities that had higher scores in
indicated a decline in enrolment of specific business-related sustainability related issues are Manchester university,
subjects at the universities. An example of this is the Kings College, and Nottingham Trent University.
decrease in undergraduate subjects in Ethics and
Sustainability from 511 to 467 between 2008 to 2010 and Manchester University is ranked with a high score of
even worse on the part of graduate subjects taken into 86.3% and according to the Vice Chancellor of the
consideration the figures listed in the table above. This is University, Professor Malcolm Press, the University’s
likely to have a replicated effect on the planet and the people efforts are on research, designing carbon literacy program
as well, when it comes to sustainability and its practices like and incorporating climate education into the school’s
waste, environmental carbon footprints, emission, and curriculum including a construction of £4.1million hydrogen
pollution control which is supposed to be keen in students’ fuel cell innovation Centre to produce sustainable fuels for
life. The situation is even worse when there are no records the larger community in helping to achieve zero carbon
of student pursuing sustainability related courses or as part emissions.
of school’s curriculum at both the undergraduate and
graduate levels, a clear indication of lack or low motivation With respect to Kings College, Professor Shitij Kapur
from stakeholders like teachers and faculty members in the president of the College laid emphasis on the
dealing with the problem. (Budihardjo, 2021, Von Der Heidt university’s effort on sustainability through research
and Lamberton,2011, Bar et al, 2008). education, community engagement, in establishing a
Climate Action Network teams and coordinators. The
A challenge which needs to be dealt with is how college believes these initiatives will bring together students
students can engage or campaign in their various and staff of the college to actively engage in sustainability
communities on sustainable practices if they are not enrolled related practices. It is of no doubt that since 2005 there has
in the subject or offered a program relating to sustainability been a reduction of emissions in the college by 53% which
in helping them gain interest in the subject matter. (Fisher has contributed to sustainability score of 79.5% when the
and Bonn, 2011)This situation identifies a gap in college was ranked in recent times by the People and Planet
enrollment, at the colleges and business schools in Australia, University league. The college also initiated over
a threat to sustainable development, students on their part 100 climate change and sustainability related subjects for all
may be motivated or interested in reading sustainability students in understanding climate related issues in addition
related courses at the schools.(Eagle et al,2015).However, to their area of studies, in helping students to practice
given the low enrolment levels in Australian colleges and sustainability both in their communities and at the
universities, there is a strong indication that, most business workplace after graduation (People and Planet university
schools are lagging on sustainability focus, which is likely league table,2021; Redfern and Zhong,2017).)
to have a negative impact on societies and corporations
where students may find themselves after graduation (Fisher In relation to the above, the head of sustainability,
and Bonn,2011) Charmaine Morrell of Nottingham Trent University,
elaborated on how they have invested time and resources
VI. EFFORTS BY THREE UK UNIVERSITIES into research and inclusion of sustainable development in
TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY AND ITS the school’s curriculum, and the establishment of committed
PRACTICES teams whose work is to help in the reduction of emissions
on school’s buildings. This initiative has resulted in 99% of
In the UK, one of the students campaigning networks, their waste being managed well without been sent to the
People and Planet, an organization that encourages landfills. The University has also launched an initiative of
sustainable practices in societies and schools ranked 154 UK rewarding both students and staff who are noticed to engage
universities on sustainability in 2021.This is based on in sustainable practices to serve as motivation for others to
programs offered at the various universities, enrollment, and emulate. There are also 14 student societies at the University
community engagements in reducing environmental carbon serving as Ambassadors in practicing sustainability in the
external environment where students would be recognized

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Volume 8, Issue 7, July – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
especially, communities in helping to achieve sustainability Indeed, a big challenge is thrown to teachers and
goals. (People and Planet university league table,2021; faculty members, major stakeholders in educational
Eagle et al,2015). Indeed, all these are done in collaboration institutions especially in business schools to embrace
with teachers, major stakeholders of every educational sustainability and its practices as well as recommendations
establishment. by the international organizations like UNESCO and EU in
the structure of new courses relating to sustainability at both
VII. METHODOLOGY undergraduate and graduate levels at an early stage. It is also
important that they consider in the structure of their
Primary and secondary data sources are used in the programs a sustainability-based curriculum, taking into
study coupled with comparative analysis of a case study of consideration the relevance of SDG, s. This would serve as a
Australian undergraduate and postgraduate business guide, especially during the initial stages of student
curriculum of a regional universities carried out by Southern enrolment in schools. (Daly, 2017, Marshall and Harry
Cross University and the ranking of People and Planet 2005) It is also recommended that an emphasis is placed on
university league in UK in making inferences and analysis sustainability in the various universities, thus assigning at
on sustainability practices in respective academic least a sustainability related course to a student in a
institutions specifically business schools (Von Der Heidt department or school, this will make students appreciate the
and Lamberton, 2011) need of the subject, in making them responsible to the
environment. (Barth and Rieckmann 2016).
Therefore, the scope of this paper is focused on the
following: an introduction, hypothesis, research question, Teachers are encouraged to use appropriate teaching
Sustainability and its concepts, curriculum design relating to techniques in impacting best practices for the benefits of
sustainability, teaching sustainability in business schools, their students. It would be better to engage in student-
awareness creation and advocacy on sustainability related teacher initiatives, motivating students in forming alliance
issues amongst students in business schools, a highlights on with their colleagues, engaging in community-based
Australian universities approach and statistics on activities, an indication of students practicing what they
sustainability, whiles other part deals with efforts by three learn especially, in the control of waste, environmental
UK universities on Sustainability, clear suggestions and a carbon footprints in saving the planet from destruction.(
conclusion. This analysis provided a better understanding of Weitz et al 2002,) There is also the need to incorporate
the research problem at hand. SDG’s, activities, games like one poster one per SDG to
portray facts about the subject, the responsibility of both
VIII. CONCLUSION AND teachers and students, in achieving of SDG’s irrespective of
RECOMMENDATIONS area or industry they find themselves after they
graduate(Nhamo and Mjimba,2020).
It is obvious that, sustainability is a new dimension
that cut across all sectors of the economy including the It is of no doubt that the debate on the role of both
educational sector. The societal relevance of the research scholarly and non-scholarly communities about
paper is focused on how students will inculcate the habit of sustainability is not ending anytime soon. This calls for
protecting the environment through community further studies into the roles of industry players on
engagements in proper waste disposal, control of sustainable practices.
environmental carbon footprints and control of emissions in
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