Title: Factors driving sustainability in a transitioning economy business school

Authors: Flavio Pinheiro Martins; Varvara Larina; Ekaterina Ivanova; Alexander Dynin; Anastasia Chernysheva; Alina Volkova

Addresses: Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London, London, UK ' Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia ' Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia ' Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia ' University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, IL, USA ' Graduate School of Business, HSE University, Moscow, Russia

Abstract: Business schools are nesting grounds for transformational leadership. The schools began to transform their business models following sustainability principles, and many succeeded. Nevertheless, there is a persistent decoupling between theoretical models and practical action. It is crucial to identify possible driving factors that can bridge this gap. This study aims to identify factors driving sustainability in a business school from the transitioning economy in a contextualised way. We used a mixed-method approach with desk research, online-survey, and expert interviews to collect our empirical data. We applied the theoretical framework of the DRIFAR model, reflecting the Western business schools' context to a Russian business school, and updated the model comprising of six factors: 1) awareness; 2) strategy; 3) education; 4) research; 5) partnership and outreach; 6) architecture and urban planning. Our findings indicate that the 'awareness' factor requires more effort in the case of a business school from Russia that can be achieved through better communication efforts, as well as formal and informal engagement with the internal and external stakeholders.

Keywords: sustainability; business school; driving factors; transitioning economy; Russia.

DOI: 10.1504/LAJMSD.2022.129502

Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development, 2022 Vol.5 No.4, pp.299 - 320

Received: 15 Sep 2021
Accepted: 22 Jun 2022
Published online: 10 Mar 2023 *

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