The summer semester is coming to an end, exam preparations are pending. The week before, real corporate practice was on the agenda.
Three companies in the neighborhood of Albstadt-Sigmaringen University were guests in my lecture “Business Ethics and Sustainability” for the Business Administration and Energy Economics & Management degree programs. Namely: Iwona Swietlik from Geberit via online link, Anna Rapp from Groz-Beckert and Vladimir Bergstreiser from Bizerba in a panel discussion.
They were all available to answer questions about sustainability. The students had researched information on the sustainability reports of these companies in advance and compiled a company-specific questionnaire in a group work. Some questions, just to show examples:
✳️ Are there already concrete plans for the reduction of Scope 3 emissions, that is, the emissions that are embedded in the supply chain and in the product?
✳️ How credible and effective is social engagement in terms of employee participation?
✳️ How is it ensured that sustainability is systematically integrated into the company’s governance and control structures?
That is a triple-win-process.
Win 1:
Through this insight into everyday business life, the students understand how sustainability principles work in concrete decisions. They perceive the high complexity of the topic and the fact that sustainability management means broad moderation in the company.
Win 2:
The company representatives experience how important the topic is taken by the leaders of tomorrow, the students, and their expectation that the young generation wants to be involved in the decision-making processes on this topic.
Win 3:
And for me, it shows how important it is that this intergenerational dialogue on this topic takes place. I am happy to make my contribution to this.
➡️ As a company in Baden-Württemberg: Are you interested in talking to our students? Then please let me know.
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I am Bernd Scharbert and I support managers not only on the topic of sustainability, but also on aspects of intercultural leadership. If you are interested, please feel free to contact me.
A thank you to the participating students and to the three companies for their high level of commitment and willingness to participate.
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