Applying a constructivist approach to the teaching business ethics and sustainable development: case study

Issues of teaching ethics and sustainable developmentto business students is not a new concern but they have to be addressedsystematically due to the rapidly changing business environment. The premisesof sustainability and ethical business management counterpose the conventionalpremises of neoclassical thinking about markets and introduce best practices ofresponsible business management. This paper aims to contribute to thedevelopment of effective methods for teaching sustainability and businessethics, relevant to the modern demand for student`s skills and knowledge aboutsustainable practices. This research explores the challenges of teaching a universityundergraduate level course “Sustainable business” and argues that a constructivistpedagogy is a suitable epistemological approach for designing a course unitconcerning sustainability and ethics as it is grounded on the premises ofknowledge co-creation and developing creative thinking through a combination ofpractical “learning by doing” and conceptual understanding. This paper presentsfindings drawn upon course feedback and course reflection essays aimed to makesense of what are the most effective pedagogic approaches that influencedstudents’ learning. Results indicate that students appreciate active forms oflearning via practical assignments and discussions. As knowledge of sustainabilityand business ethics is important for the student’s future career path, studentsneed to develop skills of applying conceptual knowledge to practice viaconstructive pedagogic methods.