The Palgrave Handbook of Social Sustainability in Business Education

This book provides a holistic conceptualization of social sustainability, going beyond the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and showcases how the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasizing social sustainability can be integrated into business studies’ curricula in different parts of the world. A unique collection of literature comprising educational principles, content, activities, and cases will guide educators, managers of business study programs, and higher education leaders in developing engaging, high-impact educational experiences that enable students to solve grand societal challenges and grow as ethical, inclusive leaders.  

This handbook features a wide-range of tested teaching innovations. These cover education models addressing newest trends, such as utilizing artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies in education about-and-for socially sustainable business or skill development for enabling circular economy and sustainable production and consumption patterns. The classical, impactful yet underutilized in business studies instructional techniques such as storytelling and theatre are also discussed comprehensively.  

A cross-disciplinary approach of the handbook speaks to scholars aiming to research and implement business education, which connects social, environmental, and economic dimensions in quality education that promotes sustainable development. 

“Socially conscious consumers, responsible investors and empowered employees are demanding that businesses become a force for social as well as economic progress. But today’s entrepreneurs are often ill-equipped for this mission. This much needed book can help change that, providing students with a rounded view of social sustainability and how it can be applied in practice in different contexts. Essential reading for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow!” (Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director, OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities)

“As an educator in South Africa, a country where a third of the population struggle to find their next meal, and the daughter of two environmentalists, I have long wished for a guide in making sense of the compelling but sometimes conflicting demands of both environmental and social sustainability.  This book is a wonderful resource to help guide conversations that seek understanding across a plurality of demands and contexts.” (Helena Barnard, Professor and Academic Head: Doctoral Programmes, Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa)

“While social responsibility has risen to the top of the corporate agenda, most educators still have not come to grips with addressing this topic in their curriculum and classroom practices. This handbook arrives just in time for those of us looking for guidance and inspiration in integrating social sustainability into our teaching. It features numerous teaching innovations helpful to all educators. Its cross-disciplinary nature is an added benefit. A must reading for those keen on gaining insights and practical advice!” (S. Tamer Cavusgil, Regents Professor, Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair, Executive Director, CIBER, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, USA)

“This comprehensive handbook on social sustainability equips business educators for their most important mission: to ignite the passion to make the world a better place. The editors—all respected leaders in international business education—offer insightful guidance on fostering impactful learning experiences in social sustainability by seamlessly integrating the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The handbook also introduces cutting-edge teaching innovations from across the globe. It is a must-have resource for all educators dedicated to inspiring the next generation of responsible global citizens.” (Marleen Dieleman, Peter Lorange Professor of Family Business, IMD Business School, Singapore)

“As the sustainability challenge becomes more urgent, evidence shows that to face it, social change is more critical than technical; solutions are not short-termed, and although locally developed, they inspire global shifts. As a Latin-American citizen, I feel the complexity of that challenge. This book presents a holistic approach to social sustainability; it is a timely and inspiring collection of frameworks and tools to help scholars, practitioners, and educators. Presenting and discussing the UN SDGs, emphasizing social sustainability, the book includes chapters with conceptual discussion and experiences from countries and regions of different parts of the world. The editors Aušrinė Šilenskytė, Miguel Cordova, Marina A. Schmitz, and Soo Min Toh organized an essential handbook for teachers and managers involved with this paradigm shift.” (Maria Tereza Fleury, Full Professor FGV EAESP, Director Center for International Competitiveness FGV, Brazil)

“Sustainability is a critical topic in business education. Students need to learn about social sustainability so they can skillfully address key issues and make a difference in society. This handbook provides tools for faculty to focus on sustainability education, and the means toimprove life for people around the world.  I strongly endorse this book.” (Gary Knight, Helen Jackson Professor, Willamette University, USA, President, Academy of International Business)

“This handbook provides one of the most comprehensive treatments of social sustainability in business education to date. It brings together scholars from all over the world to share their state-of-the-art teaching philosophies, methods, technologies and topics. The various contributions offer an engaging and pluralistic read that crosses disciplinary boundaries. This volume speaks to a broad audience, consisting not only of business educators and programme managers but also of university leaders. I can wholeheartedly recommend this handbook.” (Rebecca Piekkari, Marcus Wallenberg Chair of International Business, Aalto University School of Business, Finland)

”This book breaks new ground by zooming in on social sustainability in business education. This book has 28 chapters and is carefully structured into 7 parts. It offers valuable guidance for educators and leaders in higher education who want to transform business education for social sustainability. The chapters cover various United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are written by authors from different geographies, providing innovative content that imminently applies in different classroom settings. What sets this book apart is its incorporation of tested teaching innovations, spanning from cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to timeless instructional techniques like storytelling and theatre. Anyone who is planning the next round of curriculum innovation and is committed to upgrading their teaching practice for social good will want this book.” (Rudolf R Sinkovics, Professor of International Business, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, and Visiting Professor, LUT Business School, LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland)

Aušrinė Šilenskytė is a Program Manager (Bachelor’s in International Business) and an Ambassador for Internationalization at the School of Management, University of Vaasa, Finland.

Miguel Cordova is Associate Professor and Internationalization Leader for the Management Department and Management School at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Peru.

Marina A. Schmitz serves as a researcher and lecturer at the Coca-Cola Chair of Sustainable Development at IEDC-Bled School of Management, Slovenia and as a senior CSR expert at Polymundo AG in Heilbronn, Germany.

Soo Min Toh is Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada and Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh Business School, UK.