Leading in Sustainable Business Education

It’s an established trend that teaching MBA students to conduct business as usual isn’t the way forward. We are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and we must adapt everything we do, including education. The University of Exeter Business School in the UK is renowned for its exceptional focus on teaching sustainability in business education.

Prof. Donald Lancaster, Professor of Marketing and the MBA Program Director, highlights the program’s dedication to creating leaders who prioritize sustainability. “We are inspiring leaders for a better world. And I think, unlike a lot of schools, we actually walk the walk rather than just talk the talk about sustainability,” he asserts. (00:42)

Corporate Knights ranked the school as number one in the UK and nine globally for sustainability in their 2023 Better World ranking. 

The University of Exeter’s strategy for 2030 is focused on creating a greener, fairer, and healthier world. Prof. Lancaster proudly notes that the MBA program is at the forefront of these efforts, leveraging the university’s extensive resources and commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Exeter MBA program integrates sustainability into every aspect of business education. “On our core modules, more than 55% contain something about ESG, and on the electives, it’s more than 65%,” Prof. Lancaster says. (01:51)

This long-established program is designed to cultivate leadership skills and prepare students for the complexities of modern business environments. Students learn about sustainable business practices and their importance across all business functions. The holistic approach of the Exeter MBA builds a strong foundation in sustainability.

Preparing Leaders for a Sustainable Future

The Exeter MBA program emphasizes the development of personal and professional skills that are crucial for responsible leadership. Prof. Lancaster emphasizes that leadership requires a broad perspective and the skills to engage and motivate others effectively.

“You can’t be a leader; in my view, if you just have functional expertise in one or two disciplines, you need to have that holistic overview, and you need to understand people. You cannot be a leader unless people follow you, and people are not going to follow if you’re not that sort of person,” he says. (05:51)

Students in the Exeter MBA program take various courses that help to mold them into well-rounded leaders. For instance, “Achieving Sustainable Success” focuses on real-world marketing, operational management, and strategic decision-making. Another core module, “Leading with Purpose,” delivered by academic staff from the Exeter Centre for Leadership, delves into leadership, organizational behavior, and responsible governance. The program also includes other courses such as “Designing a Better Future for All,” “Understanding Our World,” and “Creating the New”.

The program also offers various opportunities for students to enhance their soft skills in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.

Many Exeter MBA alumni move into leadership positions prioritizing sustainability, driven by the program’s strong emphasis on responsible leadership with hands-on experience.

Real-World Impact Through Consulting Projects

A distinctive feature of the Exeter MBA is its emphasis on practical, real-world applications. The final consulting project is an individual project that requires students to tackle sustainability or governance issues with established companies.

Students work closely with companies for three to four months and can choose a project that matches their interests as long as it links to ethics, ESG, or sustainability in some sense. “Some of these are from major multinationals, some are from third sector local organizations,” Prof. Lancaster notes, highlighting the diverse range of opportunities available. (07:22)

These projects allow students to apply their knowledge meaningfully, working closely with companies on pressing sustainability issues. The hands-on experience enhances learning and often leads to employment offers for students.

The Future of MBA Programs and Sustainability

As the landscape of MBA education evolves, the focus on sustainability becomes increasingly important. Prof. Lancaster acknowledges the growing emphasis on sustainability despite some institutions lagging behind.

Accreditation bodies like the Association of MBAs (AMBA) also recognize this shift, incorporating sustainability into their criteria. This shows that MBA programs should think about people, the planet, and profit together, not just profit alone.

“I think it’s really important for all the accrediting bodies, as well as all the ranking institutions, to recognize this change in zeitgeist and this change in importance. It’s vital.” Prof. Lancaster notes. (08:09)

The Exeter MBA program excels in teaching sustainability, reflected in its top rankings and continued commitment to fostering conscientious leaders for a sustainable future. With a curriculum that integrates environmental, social, and governance principles, Exeter Business School prepares leaders for a sustainable future.

As Prof. Lancaster aptly puts it, “I think it’s very important for us and for all the other schools in this area to retain that focus in order to make sure that we do inspire leaders for a better world.” (06:45) 

The Exeter MBA is an excellent opportunity for students who want an MBA that aligns with their values. It also equips them with the sustainable management skills needed to make a positive impact.