The relevance, importance and applicability of sustainable development in Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) education

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the main features of the Economic and Management Sciences (EMS)learning area is that it prepares learners to participate in an economicallycomplex society where social justice and a healthy environment are keyconcerns. Teachers are faced with an important learning outcome in the EMScurriculum, namely Sustainable Growth and Development, requiring them toequip learners with an understanding of sustainability and to encourage criticalreflection on the related processes. This research aims to explore EMS teachers'underlying conceptual understanding of sustainable development and to establishhow these understandings relate to their teaching practices.The meaning of sustainable development has elicited multiple and contestedreactions in the literature. Many authors are in agreement that developmentstrategies should be consistent with the planet's resources and linked to abalance between society, economy and the environment. However, increasedproduction and consumption resulting from neoliberal economic policies andintensified global competition invariably disturb the earth's ecosystem. On theone hand, increased economic activity has the advantage of resourcedevelopment (capital, natural and human resources) that promotes economicgrowth. On the other hand, this growth occurs at the expense of resourceexploitation which in turn leads to environmental degradation, the erosion ofcultural identities, health risks and, in many instances, unsustainable lifestyles.There is a growing consensus that knowledge and a changed mindset arerequired for developing an enhanced focus towards a sustainable future.Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) provides the knowledge, skills,values and theories for promoting sustainable development.The research was conducted within a constructivist-interpretivist paradigm. Acase study design strategy, as part of a qualitative research approach, wasselected to best answer the research question. The data collection was done bymeans of the literature reviewed, in-depth interviews and subject-objectinterviews (written explanations). This was followed by the systematiccategorisation and coding of the data by means of content analysis.The main finding of the study was that EMS teachers had a single focus withregard to sustainable development: their understanding predominantly related tothe economic pillar of sustainable development. The interrelatedness of theeconomy, society and the environment to achieve sustainable developmentobjectives was not subjected to much scrutiny. This research showed that thereis a need for ESD to be integrated into the EMS discourse.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University