Leadership effectiveness has been called into question in various contexts, but one area of particular urgency is the need for expanded capacity to solve the problems inherent in living sustainably. Sustainability has been receiving some long overdue recognition in recent years. Many businesses are beginning to integrate sustainability into their strategies and operations as a way to increase competitive advantage. Similarly, higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly business schools, are including sustainability teachings in their curricula. The increased emphasis on sustainability has sparked research on the identification of competencies to enhance management and business performance. Competencies are defined as the combined knowledge, skills, understanding, values, attitudes, and desires that leaders must master to function successfully. However, more is needed if leaders are to solve sustainability-related problems and advance sustainable development. They require an additional set of competencies that relate to systems-thinking, futures-thinking, values-thinking, strategic-thinking, and interpersonal relations. A coordinated effort is needed to ensure the next generation of leaders are mastering the sustainability competencies to prepare them for the complex issues they will face. Business schools and other HEIs are responsible for helping students acquire these additional competencies. This study employs a scoping literature review to describe the situation in higher education today. In the presentation we explain the need for urgency and consistency in teaching approaches and provide an overview of the key competencies and assessment tools available for immediate implementation.

Authors:
Anshuman Khare, Athabasca University, Canada
Patricia MacNeil, Dalhousie University, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Anshuman Khare is professor in operations management at Athabasca University, Canada. He is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and a former Monbusho Scholar. His current research focus is on impact of digital technologies on business and education.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshuman-khare-2a33801/

Additional website of interest
https://sites.google.com/site/anshumankhare/

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