This document includes all introductory videos transcribed except the video entitled: “Why are the SDGs so important for a business school?” (03:56).
It has been transcribed exactly so that you can highlight what is important to you before your exam.
Transcript from the video titled "How can the Sustainable Development Goals help
business to embrace the opportunities of the future?" by the Rotterdam School of
Management, Erasmus University:
Did you know in 2015 world leaders agreed upon an agenda to completely transform our
world by 2030? I am Amanda Williams, a PhD candidate at Rotterdam School of
Management, and I'm here to introduce you to the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals, commonly referred to as the SDGs. The goals were developed through an open and
inclusive consultation process and all sectors are coming together to mobilize efforts to
achieve the goals by 2030.
There are 17 complex and interconnected goals. They aim to address the most difficult
development issues like poverty, equality, and climate change. Though the goals are set
separately with their own targets and indicators, they cannot be treated as independent.
Developments in one goal affect others. Understanding the complexity of the goals is
essential for any manager seeking to address the challenges we face in achieving the goals
by 2030 and ensuring the success of their own operations.
But why should managers work towards achieving these global goals? The SDGs are a call to
action for everyone. Governments, international organizations, and businesses recognize the
benefit in pursuing a prosperous future for all. A systems perspective is key to understanding
the complexity of these issues. It is a way of looking at the world where we recognize that
economic, social, and environmental systems are interconnected, and they affect one
another.
Understanding the interconnections between the goals allows synergies and trade-offs to be
identified. Synergies occur when advancements towards achieving one goal also advances
progress towards achieving another goal. For example, research shows that reducing
poverty is linked with many other goals including good health and well-being, quality
education, clean water and sanitation, and reduced inequalities.
Trade-offs arise when progress towards achieving one goal hinders progress towards
achieving another goal. For example, the efforts to provide energy to all (SDG 7) may
challenge the climate targets for SDG 13 if low carbon energies are not pursued. Or ensuring
food security for all (SDG 2) may challenge the availability of clean water (SDG 6) and
ecosystem health (SDG 15) because pesticides and fertilizers associated with modern
intensive agriculture lead to water pollution and biodiversity loss.
Synergies and trade-offs occur across all levels of the SDG framework including goal, target,
and indicator levels. They also occur at global, regional, and local levels. Analysis across all
levels and over time is crucial. From a systems perspective, we can see that businesses are
embedded in broader economic, societal, and environmental systems. Business is
dependent on and impacts the viability of the resources provided by these broader systems.
Understanding these challenges and aligning business strategy with the goals reveals
important market opportunities, risks, and enhances reputation. Embracing the SDGs can
, help businesses prepare for the future by innovating sustainable business models and
solutions. But how can managers execute a corporate strategy that successfully contributes
to the SDGs when they are so multifaceted? It's not easy. Managers all over the world, from
small entrepreneurial startups to large multinational corporations, are grappling with the
complexity of achieving the goals.
We designed these learning modules to prepare all students at RSM to tackle the SDGs in
their future careers. In the upcoming modules, you will learn how companies are striving to
innovate circular business models, protect human rights, and to take action on climate
change. As the leaders of tomorrow, it is vital that you are aware of the broader context of
business and think about how you can contribute to a better society.
Safaricom is the largest mobile operator in the Kenya market with over 23 million customers.
Safaricom has captured the opportunities presented by the SDGs and have used the
framework to integrate sustainability across the organization. The goals help the company to
make decisions and serve as a core in the company's values. Safaricom has moved from
short-term strategic thinking to looking at the company's role in society in the long term.
This helps them to create a strategy and make decisions that ensure the long-term viability
of the company. The SDGs have also improved Safaricom's communication with their
stakeholders and helped to create new partnerships.
The Sustainable Development Goals represent the most pressing economic, social, and
environmental challenges that the world faces at the moment, but we can see them as
opportunities rather than as threats. It's very exciting to see that so many businesses are
committed to achieving the goals and are innovating breakthrough business models to
contribute to a brighter future for all. We are thrilled that you've decided to join us for these
learning modules in creating a sustainable future. We are thrilled that you have decided to
join us for these learning modules.
Transcript from the video titled "Sustainable development: a wicked opportunity for
business?" by the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Hello, I'm Rob van Tulder, professor of International Business at the Rotterdam School of
Management. 20 years ago, I had the pleasure to found, together with two colleagues, the
Department of Business Society Management. It is now one of the leading research and
teaching platforms in the world dealing with all dimensions of corporate responsibility and
sustainability.
Over the years, RSM has acknowledged that business is not about profit maximization but
about creating societal value. Profits are a means, not an end in itself. Don't get me wrong,
without profits no corporation can exist. But without societal purpose, companies lack a
license to operate which in turn seriously hampers their longer-term financial sustainability.
This bench carries a statement of Professor Jan Tinbergen, our most illustrious past faculty
member and Nobel Prize laureate. A rough translation of this Dutch quote reads: 'Equal
distribution and fairness creates profits, not the other way around.' For a long time, this was
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