Business Schools’ Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Palestine as a Case Study

Authors

Saed R. Al Koni, Mohammed Mahamda, Abdulnaser I.Nour

 

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the role that business schools in Palestinian universities played in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (G1, G4, G8, G9, G12, G16, G17) through their study plans, due to their close connections to the local market. Additionally, the study aimed to determine whether business school graduates acquire the skills and competencies necessary for the local market. For this descriptive and analytical study, a survey questionnaire was created to collect data from faculty members and employers in the local market. The findings show that business schools in Palestinian universities have included SDGs in their study plans to a medium-to-high degree, with a stronger focus on quality education. Employers in the local market view graduates from these study plans as having the necessary competencies and skills, and they also rate their compliance with SDGs as being between moderate and high, particularly in quality education. Regarding the degree to which the competencies and skills of business school graduates meet those of the local market and are thus relevant to SDGs, there were no significant differences between the perceptions of university faculty members and employers in the local market. However, notable significant differences were found in the areas of international standardization, capacity knowledge in operational expertise, economic and industrial challenges, and partnerships for the goals. Business schools in Palestinian universities should continue to set a high priority on incorporating SDGs into their study plans and matching the competencies and skills of their graduates with the demands of the local market. The considerable areas of variance between employers in the Palestinian market and university faculty members present opportunities for greater collaboration to meet the requirements of the local market and accomplish SDGs.

DOI: 10.51958/AAUJBL2024V8I1P8