Increased interest among the general public in the social responsibility practices of Corporate America may spur a new trend in business education: the “Green MBA.” Specialized business programs are nothing new and are a way to further segment the market for graduate business education. Graduate programs that focus on socially responsible business practices are being introduced at well known institutions such as Duke University’s http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/, and relatively unknown institutions like Dominican University of California.
Is this a fad or is it the shape of things to come? Business schools are challenged to offer relevant training in programs that will enable graduates to compete in a global business environment. While Green MBA programs aren’t likely to become standard fare in B-schools nationwide, there appears to be a market for offering such programs. At the very least, B-school curricula should include expanded coverage of social responsibility practices within each business discipline. Link