Implementation of sustainable development goals : The role for business academics

• Published in: Australian journal of management Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 571 - 593
• Main Authors: Christ, Katherine Leanne, Burritt, Roger Leonard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2019; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Academic staff attitudes; Business education; Business education teachers; Case studies; Higher education; Holistic approach; Knowledge creation; Management education; Sustainable development; Sustainable Development Goals; University business relationship; transdisciplinary; knowledge-application; Business academics; management; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; knowledge-generation; multinational enterprises
• ISSN: 0312-8962; 1327-2020
• DOI: 10.1177/0312896219870575

Achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is a Grand Challenge, especially for business academics who have a responsibility to work with businesses regarding their management and contributions. Two main challenges are examined in the article: the need for academics to work together towards holistic solutions to SDG problems, and the need for stronger engagement to reduce the distance between academics and practitioners/ practice. It then develops a framework that considers the knowledge-generation and application roles business academics face in addressing groups of insiders and outsiders. Finally, the use of the framework is demonstrated via a case study of modern slavery in corporate supply chains. [Author abstract]