World Business Schools Embrace Social Entrepreneurship

Social responsibility is an ethical or ideological theory that an entity whether it is a government, corporation, organization or individual has a responsibility to society at large. This responsibility can be “negative”, meaning there is exemption from blame or liability, or it can be “positive,” meaning there is a responsibility to act beneficently (proactive stance).

As the age of social responsibility is ushered in around the world, I think seeing more and more business schools embrace and teach the principals of social responsibility in entrepreneurship will only strengthen these fundamentals in our future emerging industries. As with the green movement, I see the underlying principles of efficiency, avoiding waste, and minimizing any negative impacts on society as being far more important than any speculative climate change or global warming “boogy man” that fear mongers like Al Gore perpetrate through false data and scare tactics. Ostensibly avoiding unnecessary environmental impact and waste, as well as being socially responsible, are principles that are good for all businesses to embrace and should be incorporated in the business schools around the world; including their entrepreneurship programs.

“Just as much as we have a responsibility for the education of top managers, I feel we have an equal responsibility to contribute to the alleviation of poverty, solving social problems via entrepreneurship,” says Walter Baets, the school’s director.” says Walter Beats, the University of Cape Town’s Director.

I applaud the University of Cape Town and all schools around the world who are incorporating green fundamentals and social responsibility into their curriculum.

See the full Business Week article here.

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