Fostering Critical Thinking and Different Perspective Taking in Sustainability Management Education through Role-Play and a Cross-Semester Case Study

Abstract

[EN] In this paper we present a teaching approach offered to sixth-semester students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at a German University of Applied Sciences, who have chosen Environment and Sustainability Management as one of their electives. The sustainable management course is designed to equip future (sustainability) managers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to incorporate ecological and societal considerations into their decision-making, publicly and credibly report on them, and foster positive change within their future careers, organizations and industries. The utilization of role-play and the selection of a relevant and familiar case study, designed as a cross-semester approach, aim to enhance motivation and ownership among students and enable them to critically reflect on and evaluate sustainable impacts of business activities. Our work contributes on how teaching on sustainable management can be designed through role-playing and a real-world case study in higher education.