Abstract

In light of business leaders’ failings, including corporate corruption, the financial crisis and various ecological system crises there is a growing expectation that management education institutions should be leading thought and action on issues related to corporate responsibility and sustainability. Therefore, there is a need to ascertain management education institutions’ ability to ensure responsible and sustainable management education. This paper seeks to assess academics’ perceptions of how the University of KwaZulu-Natal has adopted the United Nation (UN) supported initiative, Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), to ensure responsible and sustainable management education in South Africa. The sample was drawn using the probability sampling technique called cluster sampling. Permanent academic staff from the Graduate School of Business and Leadership and the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance who responded to the structured, self-administered questionnaire formed the sample. Questions asked related to fostering a sustainable culture, strategically adapting curriculum, creating learning environments, aligning research, fostering sustainable partnerships and encouraging constant dialogue with regards to PRME. In order to assess the implementation of the PRME for sustainable development, a quantitative research design was adopted. This is the first study, to the researcher’s knowledge, to examine the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership and the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance’s motives, effects and challenges of engaging in PRME. The study has also explored key aspects such as the adaptation of teaching practices by the academic staff, the role of academics and diversification that influences the decision of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership and School of Management, Information Technology and Governance to participate in PRME. The results indicate that academic staff in both schools is engaging in activities that pursue the cause of sustainable development. There is evidence of addressing modern societal and environmental challenges by fostering change in design in curricula, fostering a sustainable culture and creating a learning environment. However, evidently more careful and deliberate attention needs to be given to fostering constant dialogue and aligning PRME and research to enhance economic, environmental and social development. This study provides a model/framework to present current practices and obstacles/setbacks experienced in adopting PRME and will present recommendations to facilitate the adoption of PRME by UKZN.

Highlights

  • Our modern society is facing very complex issues which demand sustainable and pragmatic solutions

  • In order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century, Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) seeks to establish a process of continuous improvement among management education institutions by ensuring that education has purpose, incorporates the values of social responsibility, adopts effective learning methods, engages in research contributing to the creation of sustainable value, ensures partnerships with business corporations and dialogue with key role players related to global social responsibility and sustainability

  • In order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century, PRME seeks to establish a process of continuous improvement among management education institutions (PRME Steering Committee, 2014)

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Summary

Introduction

Our modern society is facing very complex issues which demand sustainable and pragmatic solutions. In light of business leaders’ failings, including corporate corruption, the financial crisis and various ecological system crises, it is evident that education has a major role to play Addressing these complex issues requires global leaders and citizens who are capable of perspective transformation and are equipped with habit of mind that reflect sustainability concepts. This paper intends to explore how the University of KwaZulu-Natal has adopted the United Nations (UN) supported initiative Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to contribute towards responsible and sustainable management education in South Africa It explores how the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance, and the Graduate School of Business are fostering a sustainable culture, fostering change/design in curricula, creating a learning environment, aligning PRME and research and fostering PRME partnerships and constant dialogue to enhance economic, environmental and social development

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