Integrating sustainable development goals in management education: Impact on student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the influence of incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Management Education, specifically via an SDG Project, on the sustainability before and after their participation in the SDG project, and Behaviors (KAB) of undergraduate management students. The research utilized a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test approach, employing the Self-Reported Sustainable Behavior Scale (SRSB) to assess cognitive, emotional, and conative dimensions of sustainability-related behavior. Data were gathered from 283 students across five semesters at an International Business School in the United States. The findings indicated improvements in KAB across the dimensions of the triple bottom line: social, economic, and environmental. The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the SDG Project significantly influenced these shifts in KAB, emphasizing ethical decision-making and responsible management practices. The results establish a correlation between the SDG initiative and the self-reported sustainable behavior (SRSB) of the sample, demonstrating that the effort effectively influenced students' comprehension, beliefs, and actions about sustainability. This research underscores the effectiveness of incorporating SDGs into management education, thereby enriching the literature on Sustainability in Management Education (SiME). It featured the capacity of business schools to cultivate future leaders dedicated to sustainable practices via curriculum innovations such as the SDG Project. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating SiME inside higher education institutions and among educators to promote sustainable development and deliver high-quality education, hence fostering a sustainability mindset among future decision-makers. The evaluation gauges students' views on sustainability and their self-reported involvement in sustainable practices, providing valuable insights into current instructional methodologies.