We believe strongly in diversity of approach by business educators around the world and fully recognise that contexts differ widely.
As such, we have developed a principle-based One Planet Business Education Framework made up of 8 Key Principles to which we expect any partner organisation of OPEN for Business to adhere, but to interpret intelligently based on their individual context:
PRINCIPLE ONE: Recognise that we live and do business on One Planet
Planet Earth is a finite ecological system of which the economy is a sub-system.
PRINCIPLE TWO: Put values, ethics and responsibility at the core
Educate business leaders to have a strong sense of personal and organisational purpose in the service of society, locally and globally, including stewardship of the natural environment.
PRINCIPLE THREE: Embrace a systems approach
Reflect the real context of business in a globalised economy, by:
- Teaching the skills to manage and lead in the context of complexity and ambiguity
- Ensure a sound understanding of the systems in which business operates and therefore of the sustainability challenges:
- Ecology – basic environmental science (ecosystems, climate change, natural resources), interactions and interdependencies of natural and human systems
- Geopolitics & Economics – G7/G20, BRICS, N11s and frontier economies, financial capitalism, state capitalism and new development paradigms, international trade regulation (including WTO and carbon trading)
- Society – human rights, ageing population, health & wellbeing, eradicating poverty, income inequality, gender equality
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Equip business leaders with the skills and knowledge to develop One Planet Businesses
Specific balance and focus of content may be context-specific, but examples include:
- How to develop solutions-oriented business models based on societal needs, environmental constraints and cradle-to-cradle principles
- How to create learning organisations
- Change management, innovation and entrepreneurship skills
- Collaboration, partnering and stakeholder engagement skills
- Appreciation of disruptive technologies, e.g. IoT, 3D printing, AI & machine learning
- How to develop new performance measurement systems including narrative and metrics for social, ecological and financial accounting
- How to develop new standards for responsible management of natural, human, social, manufactured and financial capitals
PRINCIPLE FIVE: Contribute to the world by aligning to the SDGs
Contribute both locally and globally, through:
- Conceptual and empirical research as well as student projects and the convening of multi-stakeholder dialogues
- Ensure student awareness and understanding of the SDGs and the business opportunities they create, especially in food & agriculture, cities, energy & materials, health & wellbeing
PRINCIPLE SIX: Offer an environment and student experience conducive to learning
This will be achieved through providing:
- Diversity of cultures and gender balance in students, faculty and other contributors, through recruitment and exchanges with other institutions, as well as partnership with external stakeholders
- Real-life case studies and assignments by engaging with businesses and other stakeholders
- Co-creation with students, through interactive sessions, tapping into the wealth of students’ own experiences and the co-development of the curriculum
PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Develop both current and future leaders
This will be achieved through a focus on:
- Self awareness, personal development, critical reflection on their practice
- Experiential learning
- Life-long learning and shared learning through:
- Alumni community co-ordination
- Executive education programmes
PRINCIPLE EIGHT: Lead by example
Partner organisations must live by the principles that they teach, particularly in terms of ethics, governance, stakeholder engagement and operational footprint.
A summary of these principles can be downloaded here.