A wider perspective

The modern workplace requires managers to not only achieve economic goals but be conscious of sociological and ecological needs of the company. Turn the page to understand how an MBA can help professionals prepare themselves.

A COMMON denominator among senior executives and heads of companies the world over is a master of business administration (MBA) qualification.

Though not a prerequisite for top-level management, undergoing the rigours of an MBA has become somewhat of the norm as students learn a range of values, ethics and business skills beneficial in managing a company, not to mention the possibility of establishing extensive networks for future business opportunities.

In recent years, however, international MBA programmes are putting a bigger emphasis on the environment and ecological sustainability, also known as the triple bottom line viewpoint, where the sustainability of a business depends not only on the economic aspect but involves environmental and social contexts as well.

Postgraduate looks at what modern MBA graduates bring to the table, particularly in the areas of sustainability.

The current factor

The topic of sustainability has gained prominence in the last few decades due to endless lobbying by environmentalists, human rights activists, non-profit organisations and the release of films such as An Inconvenient Truth.

What’s more, the media is constantly bombarding the public with reports of international events such as rapid deforestation, rising levels of greenhouse gases and sea levels as well as racial and gender discrimination.

Due to the never-ending pursuit of development, the natural evolution of trade industry life cycles and ever-changing business cultures, industry professionals seek deeper understanding of the environments they operate in, thus signalling the need for universities to offer sustainability – and environment-focused programmes that will address these concerns.