Massey helps shape the future of sustainable business

Massey University’s College of Business will help to shape the future of sustainable business education and practice after signing a partnership with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC).

The college was invited to be one of five key partners to sign up to the SBC, a chief executive-led group of 40 companies that sets the agenda for sustainable business practice.

Professor Ted Zorn, head of the college, said the partnership will enable Massey to make a meaningful impact on best practice through research and teaching that will strengthen the knowledge base in this critical area.

“Massey is committed to making a positive contribution to New Zealand’s future through its teaching and research.

“We are committed to promoting sustainable business practices through our teaching framework, which challenges our students to consider and contribute to the big issues of our time. We are also leading the way with a number of research initiatives.”

Sustainable Business Council executive director Penny Nelson said the partnership will provide mutual benefits for students, business and sustainability in general with long-term benefits for New Zealand.

“I’m looking forward to seeing business able to help and inform the research initiatives at Massey. Likewise, I look forward to students gaining valuable insights on the workings of businesses and the real issues they are faced with every day.”
Massey’s goals align strongly with the objectives of the SBC to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment.

The college is home to the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Research Group headed by Associate Professor Gabriel Eweje; the Healthy Work Group, which researches workplace health and wellbeing; and the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research Centre headed by Professor Anne de Bruin.

Massey will hold its next Sustainability Conference from November 13-15 2013 on the Albany campus.

The college is also committed to the global Principles for Responsible Management Education and supports the Sustainable 60 Series through judges and mentors, which benchmarks best practice.

The SBC is part of Business New Zealand, which is headed by former Massey College of Business Advisory Board chairman Phil O’Reilly.