Survey: B-Schools Should Work Together To Eradicate Poverty

HOW B-SCHOOL STUDENTS APPROACH THE PROBLEM NOW

A quarter (24%) of business students and gradS are sure that their school has implemented a program or project that is directly working to alleviate poverty or help those on low incomes. Almost two-thirds (65%), however, do not know if their school conducted such a program, highlighting a lack of awareness about such programs. The most commonly observed contributions toward poverty alleviation are through knowledge sharing, research, and other learning across the business community (36%); operating in a way which focuses on the welfare of societies instead of profit (31%); conducting free seminars, learning opportunities or mentoring schemes for those on low-incomes (27%); and producing research which informs how businesses can help those in poverty (27%).

Among other findings, the BGA survey also examined students and grads’ personal attitudes toward poverty, sustainability, the environment, and other causes. It found that seven in 10 (70%) say they have limited how much paper they print to reduce their impact on the environment, and six in 10 (59%) say they have limited their use of energy (such as gas and electricity) to reduce their carbon footprint. More than a third (36%) always or often make charitable donations to help those in poverty, and almost one-quarter always or often volunteer their time to help those who are less affluent (24%) or buy Fair Trade products (23%).

“This study shines a light on the excellent work of business schools around the world in helping to alleviate poverty,” Dawes says, “and that business students and graduates are keen to drive forward these efforts further. It also demonstrates that much more can be done and that there is a widespread belief in the capability of business schools, especially when working collaboratively, to make a positive difference to those who are less affluent in society.”

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