Innovations in Responsible Management Education: A Review of Success Stories Towards a Proposed Theoretical Framework

Aliza D. Racelis
University of the Philippines
Quezon City, the Philippines

Judy S. Tanael
University of Asia and the Pacific
Metro Manila, the Philippines

The Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) are a United Nations- led initiative, the main purpose of which is to ‘develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy’. Principle Two aims to incorporate into academic activities and curricula the values of global social responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework for improving teacher quality in management education by incorporating and being aligned with the UN PRME.

A cursory look at the literature covering responsible management education tells us that the following are urgent and important elements: integrated education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research and community, and industry engagement. Through these, responsible management education can become firmly established within the existing value structure of business schools. In addition, the following seem quite helpful: training for shareholder and stakeholder engagement; pedagogical innovations for leadership development and, in particular, lifelong learning, diversity and entrepreneurship; and the development of an institutional ethos in administration faculties and business schools that is consistent with the responsibility discourse, which should be able to provide high-quality technical and moral training. Sustainability-driven innovations and building innovation into the provision of education and social services seem to be the key aspects for signatories to the UN PRME.

This paper involves an exploratory inductive study by reviewing and scanning the literature for successful actual applications in business schools, as well as innovations in the implementation of the UN principles of responsible management education (UN PRME). It presents a preliminary theoretical frame of the elements necessary for efficacious curricula and successful training programmes for responsible management and leadership. Recommendations along the lines of pedagogical content and strategies are highlighted.