Page 25 - Global Focus, Issue 2, 2018

Building a Human Rights Framework for Business Education | Dorothée Baumann-Pauly and Michael Posner

t last year’s EFMD annual conference in adherence to these rights. The UN Guiding
ABerlin, Germany, Paolo Boccardelli, dean Principles for Business and Human Rights,
of LUISS Business School and the conference adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in June
co-chair, outlined 10 global trends that will 2011, reaffirms this expectation. In the last six
have an impact on management education years, the Guiding Principles have become an
in the future: initial reference point for a number of companies.
globalisation, immigration, income inequality Yet to date business education has been lagging
and diversity, climate change, digital disruption behind in this emerging field, both in terms of
as opposed to digital learning, the future of jobs teaching and research. As a result, tomorrow’s
and work, uncertainty in predictions, responsible business leaders are not getting the preparation
leadership creativity, and innovation and they need to manage the human rights issues they
entrepreneurship. will face in their careers.
While Professor Bocardelli’s list does not How should business schools prepare future
include human rights explicitly, many of these managers for these human rights challenges? And
trends have built-in human rights dimensions. how can business schools create a curriculum and
Unlike most other topics, human rights are rooted teaching methods that will help corporate decision
in a firm and widely accepted foundation, the makers deal effectively and well in response to
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is also these challenges?
growing consensus that any corporate involvement Adopting a human rights framework for
in abuse of human rights is unacceptable and business education can help future managers
that corporations have a proactive role to play in navigate societal trends in a way that is principled
ensuring respect for human rights, particularly in and coherent. By developing and committing to
business environments in which governments are industry-specific human rights standards, metrics
unable or unwilling to protect their own people. and accountability mechanisms, corporations
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights can foster greater public trust and create a
states that “all organs of society”, including more stable business environment in which
corporations, have to promote respect and their businesses can flourish.

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