91���˰涶��

When it comes to making the world better, businesses wield immense power. And according to the : “when we try to solve big issues in today’s society, as long as we leave corporations out of the equation, we will get the same results over and over: a lot of talk and promises, and not a lot of action.”

Associate Professor Tracy Wilcox, School of Management and Governance, explains, “businesses are more powerful than many governments, so they have a key role to play in shifting the dial on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

“They have a duty to help create the kind of world we all want to be living in.”

This shift starts with people, which is why human resources (HR) managers are integral in the transition to sustainability.

“HR managers can make a big difference in people's lives, for better or for worse. They can also either improve or negatively impact an organisation's journey towards sustainability,” Associate Professor Wilcox says.

That’s why Associate Professor Wilcox developed the , helping HR management students become agents of positive change.

What’s sustainability got to do with HR?

Incorporating SDGs into HR courses and practice is critical as it encourages people to approach issues in a more balanced way.

“Sustainability requires you to think about the intended and unintended consequences of business practices. And it gets you into a systems thinking mindset, so that you look at the interconnectedness of all the actors in society and in the economy,” Associate Professor Wilcox explains.

Her course teaches students how they can ensure their organisation's actions contribute to the long-term sustainability and wellbeing of not just the company, but all stakeholders – from employees and the broader community to future generations.

“Getting HR managers to think about the role they play in society’s grand challenges is part of sustainability thinking. We talk about how managers can build green capabilities in their organisation and how they can build the systems and structures that support green innovations. And we also look at human flourishing and social sustainability.”

The trifecta of HRM

HR managers can add meaningful value through an organisation’s people and cultural practices across three core areas: economic, environmental and social.

One area that’s gaining increasing attention around the world is human sustainability – how an organisation creates value for people who are connected to them. This includes better health and wellbeing, developing skills and improving employability, offering opportunities to advance and a connection to purpose.

Research suggests around 80% of CEOs are feeling the . And the key to progress in this area? Understanding employees better – which is where HR managers step in.

“As part of the course we explore human flourishing – that is understanding why we are on this planet as humans and what's our end goal. Once we understand our purpose, we can create workplaces and organisations where our employees flourish,” Associate Professor Wilcox shares.

The course also enables students to describe their organisation’s main sustainability challenges, how HRM policies and practices may impact these and what approaches and strategies they can lean on to address them.

It also helps students understand supply chain ethics and an organisation’s potential impact on developing solutions to sustainability problems, as well as how to build trust with employees.

Making sustainability more practical

The examines real-life case studies of organisations making a difference and hosts guest speakers from different industries to share their insights with students.

Practical exercises, including what Associate Professor Wilcox calls “news from a better world”, also allow students to understand the steps they can take to bring about value-based changes.

“Students talk about the kind of world they want to live in, and what they can do differently to co-create that world,” Associate Professor Wilcox shares.

“Tipping point research shows so many areas of society including politics, social norms and mindsets have the potential to be tipped in a positive way. This exercise helps HR managers think about how they can be part of that, see themselves as leaders of change and feel confident in their ability to make a difference.”

The fully online course also offers plenty of opportunity for dialogue and discussion among students, through online sticker boards, weekly discussions over forums and interactive Padlet boards that allow collaboration.

Students get to connect with each other, share ideas and think about how these ideas and case studies play out in their context. This enables them to think critically and reflect on their own abilities as agents of positive change in their own world.

Learning at the forefront of sustainability

Associate Professor Wilcox’s course isn’t her first foray in incorporating sustainability into business studies. Her career-long interest in how managers can make a difference at work has influenced her research and teaching over the past 25 years.

And as UNSW Business School’s Undergraduate Academic Director for six years, she also gained unparalleled insight into how the university can create positive student learning experiences. In 2004, she also developed the Business School’s first sustainability course, Managing for Organisational Sustainability.

Associate Professor Wilcox’s approach to integrating sustainability into business education has won her a People’s Choice Award at UNSW Business School’s recent SDG Teaching Showcase, sharing the award with Dr Poon Leung, School of Risk and Actuarial Studies, who is helping student turn data analysis into impact through his course.

UNSW also has a reputation for outstanding educators, and Associate Professor Wilcox has also received the Vice Chancellor’s 2024 UNSW Award for Sustained Teaching Excellence, which recognises teachers who have made exceptional contributions to student learning and the student experience.

Trailblazing academics like Associate Professor Wilcox and Dr Leung continue to teach at the forefront of sustainability and create positive change themselves.

“It’s so inspiring to witness the clarity students get about the power of businesses. To see them understand their ability and responsibility to work differently, to develop human empathy and a whole planet view that will bring about a more sustainable world.”��

See also:��Turning the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into a powerful teaching tool

See also:��Transforming Business Research & Education. Charting a Sustainable Course

And the student feedback statements speak for themselves; below are a few student testimonials from Associate Professor Wilcox ’s 2024 .

1. “I clearly see that businesses have power, they have the ability and responsibility to work differently, to develop human empathy and a whole of planet view that will bring about a more sustainable world. I know it takes us, a collective power of individuals, taking action to make a difference”
2. “I have stopped being cynical.. This course gave me more than hope and is now a driver within me – the past 6 weeks have changed my slightly tarnished attitude to that of – it can be done”.
3. “This comprehensive understanding will not only enhance my effectiveness in HR roles but also empower me to contribute meaningfully to my organisation’s sustainability goals and create a positive impact on the eider community.”

��

Click here to learn more about the School of Management and Governance

Click here to learn more about the UNSW Business School Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Committee

Click here to learn more about UNSW Business School’s SDGs in Action