The ASB model - 10 steps to build a sustainable and responsible business school
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 | STRATEGY The 2009-2012 strategy for Aarhus School of Business defines 'sustainable growth through innovation' as a core value and focus point for the entire business school – our research, study programmes, organization and culture. In 2010/2011, ASB will continue to work on the implementation of the strategy and further develop it's activities. |
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 | MANAGEMENT FOCUS AND SUPPORT The management acts as the steering group, thus ensuring strategic focus and management attention to all activities. In 2010/2011 the ASB management will conduct a midterm evaluation of the strategy and the action plans. |
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 | INTEGRATED PART OF ACTION PLANS FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS AND SECTIONS AT ASB As part of ASB's strategic process, all departments and sections have developed actions plans, defining how they will all integrate 'sustainable growth through innovation' in their activities, including research, programmes, support and administration. In 2010/2011, all departments and sections will implement their action plans and develop new research, study programmes, organisation and culture and thus develop a business school identity and brand focusing on sustainable growth through innovation. |
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 | STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH STAKEHOLDER IMPLEMANTATION MODEL How do you develop a sustainable organisation? As a tool for stakeholder engagement in connection with the strategy, ASB uses the AA1000 Stakeholder Engagement Standard. This standard complies with the legal requirements for social responsibility reporting. ASB engages stakeholders through a broad variety of activities; workshops, surveys, conferences, bazaars, partnerships, funding and a high level of communication through the web, Facebook, blogs, webcasts, newsletters and magazines. In 2010/2011, ASB will further engage stakeholders through a variety of activities. |
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 | CODE OF CONDUCT Codes of conduct define the core values for ASB and how they interact with each other and society. ASB has a code of conduct for the organization as such, for employees and for students. In 2010/2011, ASB will continue implementation of the codes and 'living' the values. |
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 | SCIENTIFIC SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ASB wants to set a new research agenda for the role of research in society. To encourage ASB researchers to work with issues relevant to the great challenges facing society and business, we have developed an innovation model, including funding of cross-disciplinary 'Virtual Communities' within the theme, workshops and special administrative support, to increase external funding of new research and cross-departmental communication and knowledge exchange. In 2010/2011, ASB will increase its focus on scientific social responsibility and participate in the debate at both national and international level. ASB will increase its participation in international research relevant to sustainable growth through innovation and define new cross-disciplinary research projects and partnerships. |
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 | BUILDING FUTURE RESPONSIBLE LEADERS THROUGH GLOBAL INSIGHT, A PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH THAT ENCOURAGES CRITICAL AND INDEPENDENT THINKERS AND NEW STUDY PROGRAMMES AND COURSES At ASB they believe that social responsibility requires students and leaders with global insight, the ability to raise questions and to be critical and independent thinkers as well as being problem-oriented and be able to recognise a variety of views. This is a core value for ASB programmes. A number of new study programmes and courses with focus on sustainability have been developed and are already popular among the students; BScB in Sustainability, BScB in Environmental Law, the Sustainable MBA, Master in Environmental and Energy Law, Sustainable Supply Chain Management, CSR etc. To encourage and support the development of a student culture aligned with ASB's focus on sustainability and responsibility, we have a close cooperation with the Student Organisation, Studenterlauget, which has more than 3,500 members. Apart from funding a 'sustainable innovation manager' and a communication assistant, we also have a special fund earmarked to support new ideas and projects. In 2010/2011, a number of new courses and programmes will be developed and the theme will be integrated in existing programmes, where relevant and in close dialogue with companies and the public sector. They will speed up student activities at ASB and encourage international partnerships and projects. |
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 | ASB ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION ASB is focusing on its own use of resources, CO2 emissions, waste, management of subcontractors, HR policies and our overall contribution to society. ASB has been appointed to serve as the main pilot project within energy management for the entire Aarhus University. In 2010/2011, ASB will further develop its own sustainability model, including the energy management system, supply chain and subcontractor policy, CSR policy. |
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 | DIALOGUE WITH BUSINESS AND ORGANISATION Sustainability and social responsibility, growth and innovation are core themes in our dialogue with companies and public organizations. This includes research partnerships, PhD and student projects, conferences, annual parties, alumni activities and public lectures, press releases and a magazine distributed to 90.000 companies in Denmark. In 2010/2011, ASB will continue to expand its dialogue with companies and public organizations at both national and international level. |
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 | REDEFINING THE BUSINESS SCHOOL CONCEPT AND ROLE If the role of business in society is changing, new knowledge and competencies will be needed, and, as a business school, ASB must thus reinvent itself, adapt to this new agenda and innovate to ensure that it can provide the knowledge and culture of the 21st century. In 2010/2011, ASB will further expand its cross-disciplinary and holistic approach through partnerships and projects with other faculties at the Aarhus University and other universities worldwide. The focus of these activities and partnerships will be on providing solutions and companies to the world's challenges. |
