Getting Your Green Credentials in Business School

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

More and more companies are beginning to realize that “going green” makes good business sense (never mind that it’s the right thing to do). Business schools are taking note by offering more classes that address environmental issues.

One can hardly read a business journal or newspaper without hearing something about the greening of American business. While some may say businesses aren’t doing nearly enough, a significant number of large companies are taking steps on their own to reduce their environmental footprint.

A Newer Greener Wal-Mart?

Wal-Mart is one such company. The retailer has taken measures to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas it produces simply by not allowing delivery trucks to idle while they are being unloaded. The New York Times reports that Wal-Mart is saving some $25 million a year and reducing greenhouse gases by 100,000 tons annually.

The shipping industry has also taken measures to use technology that is more energy efficient. What is more, an increasing number of hotel chains are using energy efficient lighting and heating and cooling systems in their guest rooms and public areas.

The Greening of Business Schools

While it’s probably an overstatement to say that business schools are going green, it’s safe to say that MBA programs are beginning to respond to this trend in business to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits associated with green initiatives. During your MBA program, you might be able to take a class on corporate social responsibility, cause-related marketing, or business and the environment. Business school classes on ethics may also be of interest to aspiring entrepreneurs with a green bent.

Some particularly progressive MBA programs may also address the issue that many anti-corporation advocates have a problem with: corporations putting profits before people. They often fail to consider the social or environmental impact of their activities. The mining industry has garnered the scrutiny of advocacy groups, for example, for moving indigenous people off their land and leaving behind dangerous chemicals used in mineral extraction.

To find an MBA program that can acquaint you with some of these issues, look for programs that are conducting research in corporate social responsibility and ethics, or ones that have relationships with other programs that a green conscious.

Source

The New York Times

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.