Recommendations

Suggested pedagogic applications

The case studies are designed to broaden awareness of organisational approaches to the SDGs and associated targets. They collectively provide a diverse set of environmental and social related organisational actions that highlight global challenges that drive innovative business responses while highlighting inherent challenges. The interviews with founders, in particular, revealed personal characteristics that underpin a determination to address planetary and social challenges through business actions. This provides a personal touch in highlighting businesses through case studies that ordinarily would not feature in traditional access points such as textbooks. Most of all, they provide a collection of illustrative examples of the SDGs, which have not been identified as available elsewhere.

Each case study includes one learning objective and, typically, three discussion questions. They can be adopted as relatively short classroom learning activities to generate reflection and discussion. It is suggested that students are asked to read them before classroom sessions. This means they might also reflect on the questions generated and be invited to come to the session with any other ideas that the case studies provide for them in relation to their programme of learning.

The broad nature of the discussion means that they can be tailored to differing programme areas. Therefore, they have not been assigned as suitable to a particular level of study or disciplinary focus. The non-directive nature of the content means they can be applied as needed for individual learning environments, either using the suggested questions or with the educator developing their own.

As the case studies are introductory and short, they can be applied as a starting point within students' learning - enabling students to draw on the cases alongside other learning resources, and to explore the concepts raised in more depth. As they are short and accessible, they can easily be read in students' own time.

Limitations:

The cases are limited to those applicable to the Entrepreneurs in Residence and Visiting Industrial Fellows involved in the series. The broad scope of the series did not allow for the application of theoretical frameworks for deeper analysis, and they are therefore descriptive and introductory in nature.

Recommendations

Further extensions might be developed for each case study based on expertise in a disciplinary area with further resources. Such an extension might also consider accompanying learning activities such as debate or role play.

The case studies are hoped to trigger learning and research reflections, which may involve readers contacting the organisations concerned to craft further collaborations. The case studies provided here may provide the base material for further case study material to be developed.

In setting up further case studies of this format, interviewees might also be asked if they are happy to record a 60-second introduction to the material to add a further personalised touch to the case study and learning experience.

Further iterations require design improvements of the case study format to ensure full accessibility.

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