Sustainability Meets Strategy: A Holistic Framework for Enhancing B-School Effectiveness

Abstract

Business schools across the globe are evolving to meet the dynamic expectations of the global business ecosystem. However, the lack of a standardized framework often results in disparities in institutional performance, academic outcomes, and stakeholder satisfaction. This study proposes a comprehensive, sustainability-driven strategic framework for enhancing the effectiveness of B-schools, rooted in a comparative analysis of top international and Indian management institutions. Through a mixed-method approach—comprising quantitative and qualitative insights from stakeholders (students, parents, alumni, coaching centres, owners/founders, directors, faculty, recruiters, accreditation experts), surveys, focus groups, and best practice benchmarking—the study distils five critical pillars: marketing, infrastructure, placements, admissions, and administration. Integrating insights from pioneering institutions and grounded in sustainability principles, the framework aligns B-school operations with global expectations while maintaining contextual relevance. Findings suggest that embedding sustainability into strategic governance, pedagogy, and stakeholder engagement fosters institutional resilience, enhances leadership outcomes, and improves global positioning. This framework serves as a blueprint for B-school leaders aiming to drive long-term institutional growth, stakeholder value, and future-readiness in management education.