Challenges for education for sustainability in business courses: A multicase study in Brazilian higher education institutions

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the main challenges faced by two business schools and a higher education institution when implementing education for sustainability (EfS). Also, it seeks to identify facilitating elements that contribute to minimizing or eliminating barriers faced by these institutions when implementing EfS.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach is used of a descriptive nature and a multicase study is used as research strategy. Data were collected through interviews with the individuals responsible for EfS process in the institutions studied and were analyzed by the content analysis technique.

Findings

The data allowed identifying new challenges, such as those related to the governance of educational institutions, as well as divergent values of higher education institutions (HEIs) and of EfS.

Research limitations/implications

The number of cases here analyzed does not allow generalization of the results.

Practical implications

The discussion of the empirical data with the literature has provided some insights regarding good practices and recommendations for educational institutions to minimize the challenges faced in EfS process.

Originality/value

The identification of facilitating elements to mitigate challenges faced by business schools and HEIs provide insights for other institutions who long for implementing EfS. Also, the lack of actions aimed at mitigating resource-related challenges shows the need to improve educational public policies to help embed EfS in HEIs and business schools.

Citation

Singh, A.S. and Segatto, A.P. (2020), "Challenges for education for sustainability in business courses: A multicase study in Brazilian higher education institutions", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 264-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-07-2019-0238