Abstract
Background and Rationale: As the urgency of sustainable practises becomes more pronounced in a world grappling with climate change, management education in the UK finds itself at a crossroads. The role of educators in shaping future leaders who can navigate the complexities of sustainability has never been more critical. This study probes the experiences of these educators in the UK, uncovering the multifaceted challenges and drivers that influence the integration of sustainability into management education.
Objectives and Methodology: Through qualitative research, including in-depth semi- structured interviews with management educators across various UK universities, the study aimed to uncover how sustainability is integrated into teaching practises of management education, the resources and support required for its integration, and the impact of such educational approaches on both students and broader institutional frameworks.
Findings: The research highlights a dual approach where both institutional directives (top- down) and individual educator initiatives (bottom-up) are essential for successful integration of sustainability in management education. A significant need for resources and cultural adaptation within universities was identified, alongside the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of sustainability education and its inclusion in formal assessments. Notably, sustainability is gaining traction in Executive Education, providing a model that could potentially be replicated across full-time management programmes.
Recommendations: The study recommends stronger alignment of institutional strategies with educator-led initiatives, enhanced resource allocation, and the development of clear metrics to measure the integration and impact of sustainability in management education. It also suggests leverageing the strengths of Executive Education to inform broader curricular reforms.
Conclusion: While the study is limited by its sample size and focus on UK universities, it contributes valuable insights that underscore the necessity of a concerted effort to embed sustainability across the management education landscape. It serves as a call to action for academic institutions to prioritize sustainability in their teaching agendas and provides a foundation for future research to build upon.