Stakeholder Perceptions of the Importance and Effects of Sustainability Education

This chapter discusses the role that universities are expected to play in addressing sustainability-related issues, noting a lack of agreement on definitions for key terms and on the most effective way to include relevant content within the curriculum. These debates need to be seen within the context of calls to ensure that graduates are ‘work ready’. The way that sustainability issues are addressed in curriculum, and the impact on subsequent attitudes, beliefs and behaviours has been the subject of considerable debate in both academic and industry outlets. We discuss a multi-phase study by an Australian regional university that has made significant investment in integrating sustainability into all subjects within undergraduate business degrees. This investment was informed both by the academic debate on sustainability issues and by discussions with potential employers. We review the curriculum changes and examine key stakeholders’ views regarding the importance of both sustainability specifically and overall work readiness of graduates. The chapter concludes with a discussion of strategies for ongoing fine-tuning of business curricula and for ongoing engagement with current and prospective employers regarding sustainability-related issues within the wider context of equipping graduates with the skills and abilities valued by prospective employers in a rapidly changing workplace.