Business school one of best at 'green' education

Survey ranks Brandeis in top 16 for taking into account social, environmental factors

Study group on grounds of the International Business School

Brandeis' International Business School has been named one of the best business schools in the United States for educating students to enter "green business" fields. The rating was made by Entrepreneur Magazine and the Princeton Review based on a survey of administrators at 325 graduate schools of business. Sixteen schools were selected.

The full list will be published in the April issue of Entrepreneur Magazine.

Brandeis' business school in 2008 launched the Global Green Initiative, a multidisciplinary program dedicated to understanding the impact of environmental and social concerns on businesses strategy. Today this initiative encompasses a wide array of activities in this area, including research by faculty, on-campus lectures by industry leaders and student events.

Also in 2008, Brandeis established an MBA in Socially Responsible Business, known as the Global Green MBA, which integrates issues such as corporate governance and environmental studies into its core program. The school has introduced numerous courses related to the concentration, such as Business and the Environment, Managing the Triple Bottom Line, Investing in Energy, and Nonmarket Strategy: Relationships with Activists, Media, and Non-Governmental Organizations.

"Concern about the environment and sustainable business practices is one of our core values," says Bruce R. Magid, dean of the business school.

Preeta M. Banerjee, assistant professor of strategy at the school, adds: "We're trying to incorporate ‘ecological intelligence' into our curriculum and make students aware of ways they can reduce their carbon footprint, innovate, and appreciate the perspective of firms that are embracing green business practices."

Through its centers, institutes and student clubs, the school provides a robust series of lectures focused on the environment. Recent events included an executive roundtable that featured a panel of senior managers from the energy industry focused on opportunities in global clean energy trade.

The school has also worked on several environmental projects for Boston-area companies.  A student team recently won praise for its examination and analysis of State Street Corporation's water management strategy.  The team examined both the water supply and sanitation levels in cities around the world where State Street has offices to determine potential risks to its operations.

The Princeton Review, known for its guides to the best colleges and graduate programs, in October named Brandeis as one of the top 300 business schools in the country, describing it as a global atmosphere, where students receive a "well-rounded global business education with great quantitative skills."