Synergising with EFMD Accreditations on Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability: In an era of global challenges, business schools increasingly recognise their role in shaping a more sustainable and responsible future. To address this imperative, the Business School Impact System (BSIS) has taken a significant step by integrating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its Societal Impact dimension.

This move underscores the commitment of BSIS to promote ethics, responsibility, and sustainability in business education and aligns with the values of the EFMD Global Accreditations.

Integrating mapping against SDGs is particularly crucial as future business leaders must be well-versed in addressing the challenges facing society and the planet. These 17 goals encompass various dimensions of sustainability, from climate action and gender equality to poverty alleviation and responsible consumption. By emphasising the SDGs in its assessment framework, BSIS accentuates the need for business schools to play a pivotal role in achieving some of these global objectives according to their own strategies.

One of the core synergies between BSIS and EFMD Accreditations lies in their shared emphasis on ethics, responsibility, and sustainability (ERS). EFMD Accreditations, including EFMD Programme Accreditation and EQUIS, are globally recognised quality assurance systems for business schools that encourage institutions to embed ERS into their curricula and operations.

Measuring a school’s societal impact

The key purpose of the BSIS process is to assess the nature and extent of the impact that a business school has on its immediate environment and to help the school showcase it.

Beyond the question of an individual business school’s impact in any particular area, there is the fundamental issue of the impact upon society of management education within the wider institution. The issue of accountability to society at large will always be in the background.

For this reason, one of the main areas examined in the Assessment Criteria framework looks closely at the school’s contribution to improving management education and practice as part of its founding mission. This is also why BSIS challenges schools to demonstrate that their research has positive effects that can be measured. BSIS takes into account these wider concerns but approaches them within the framing perspective of a particular local environment of a business school.

Integration of CSR and SDGs

Because they are directly responsible for educating future managers, business schools are tasked with taking a clear stance on ethical issues. Most now seek to raise their students’ awareness of the importance of ethical behaviour, corporate responsibility and respect for sustainable development. They contribute to the shared agenda for sustainable development as set out in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs are embedded in all BSIS dimensions of impact but are analysed in depth in dimension 6, “Societal Impact”. For example, we look at:

• How is the school committed to the principles and values of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and SDGs?
• How are CSR and SDGs integrated within the academic and educational activities of the school?
• How are CSR and SDGs integrated into the school’s organisational and managerial practices?

By weaving the SDGs into its Societal Impact dimension, BSIS encourages business schools to adopt a holistic approach to societal engagement. This integration benefits not only the schools themselves but also society at large. It calls for a shift from profit-centred education to a broader, more inclusive approach that prepares students to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

If you want to learn more, please get in touch with the BSIS team. We look forward to hearing your perspectives!

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