Barriers and possible drivers for the implementation of sustainability in Brazilian business schools
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 24 October 2023
Issue publication date: 19 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
For sustainable strategies to be developed in business schools, it is essential to understand which sustainability drivers and barriers are identified by academic managers and coordinators in the implementation of sustainable practices. In this scenario, the study aims to understand the barriers and possible drivers for the implementation of sustainability practices in Brazilian business schools. The subjects are managers and coordinators of business schools that are part of the Principles for Responsible Executive Education Network – Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Chapter Brazil/UN.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive research with a qualitative approach was conducted to achieve this objective. The study included academic managers, responsible for the general management of academic and administrative activities and coordinators, responsible for supervising and coordinating academic activities in a specific area, of schools that are part of PRME Chapter Brazil (interviews). For data analysis, the content analysis technique was used.
Findings
Taking into account the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) as categories of analysis, as well as management, curriculum and teaching as subcategories, the study identified 10 barriers and 12 drivers.
Originality/value
The results reveal that both the barriers and the drivers are supported by the social pillar, which focuses on the academic community and society as a whole. The “Management” subcategory was also the most mentioned, indicating guidelines for the strategic academic management of these organizations.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Fundação Meridional, Brazil.
Citation
Guadagnin, A., Pauli, J., Ruffatto, J. and Dal Moro, L. (2024), "Barriers and possible drivers for the implementation of sustainability in Brazilian business schools", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 25 No. 3, pp. 577-595. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-07-2022-0227
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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