Partnering with Local Communitiesfor Global Responsibility

André SOBCZAKAACSB Sustainability Conference

Washington, June 24th 2013

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Aims of the presentation

Illustrate how Audencia Nantes partners with local governments to encourage and support the development of responsible business practices

Highlight some learning outcomes from these experiences in the French context

Discuss how other universities and business schools partner with local communities

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Global Responsibility at Audencia

2004: First institution of higher education in France to sign the UN Global Compact

2007: Participation in the definition of the UN Principles for Responsible Management

2010: First institution of higher education to sign a strategic partnership with WWF-France

2013: First institution of higher education in France to be certified by the French GR label Lucie

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Global Responsibility at Audencia

Teaching: Transversal integration of GR in all courses (at least 10% of each course) + MBA and DBA in Responsible Management

Research: Transversal research stream on GR involving 25% of the permanent faculty

Company partnerships: Five corporate chairs out of six dedicated to GR issues

Management of the school: GR strategy prepared and implemented by an Institute for GR that relies on a network of pioneers in each entity

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Saint Herblain’s GR Charter

Partner: City of Saint Herblain, in the suburbs of Nantes

Aim: Allow local companies to present their annual GR plan to a local stakeholder committee to increase its legitimacy and its efficiency

Audencia’s role: Definition of the charter and organization of the stakeholder committee

Student involvement: Master students visit the companies to evaluate the implementation of the action plan

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Nantes Metropole’s GR Resources Centre

Partner: City of Nantes, European Green Capital 2013

Aim: Allow local SMEs to identify local GR initiatives, networks, tools and support

Audencia’s role: Contribute to the identification of GR initiatives and their clear presentation

Student involvement: PhD student working on the development of this project and its impact on the GR strategy of the City of Nantes

www.rse-nantesmetropole.fr

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Integration of GR in Public Purchasing

Partner: City of Nantes Aim: Define precise GR criteria enabling the public

purchasers to prefer products and services from responsible companies

Audencia’s role: Participation in the definition of the criteria and the identification of information proving their respect

Student involvement: PhD student following the project

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Loans for GR companies

Partners: City of Nantes, Loire Atlantique department, Pays de la Loire Region

Aim: Offer loans with very low interest rates to companies having a GR strategy

Audencia’s role: Participation in the definition of the criteria for GR companies and the identification of information proving their respect

Student involvement: PhD student following the project

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Some learning outcomes

It is essential to develop long-term relationships with local communities to build trust and common understanding

From the very beginning, it is important to create creating synergies between teaching, research and partnerships with local communities

Business school can act as a link between local communities and international debates and practices

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

André Sobczakasobczak@audencia.com