This PhD research focuses on better aligning higher professional economic education with the major societal challenges of our time. Political actors and society are increasingly calling for the integration of sustainability and responsible business conduct in both education and the corporate sector. In practice, however, education often remains rooted in traditional economic thinking with a focus on short-term performance, profit and shareholder value. This research explores how alternative perspectives on people and businesses can contribute to future-proof economic education. 

Target group

Education management, lecturers, education policy officers and the business community.

Research methods

Literature review, document analysis (European legislation and regulations), media analysis, focus group discussions and design-based research.

Intended (intermediate) results

The research has resulted in an extensive dataset comprising of hard and soft legislation, ten sustainability expectations for businesses, four narratives, 83 lines of argument and nearly one hundred reviews of international business schools. In addition, 117 expectations for higher professional economic education have been clustered into 31 themes, five types of business school graduates (BSGs) have been explored and three student groups have been surveyed regarding current and future education. Based on this, four conceptual frameworks are currently under development. The final outcome provides a robust foundation for a future-proof finance degree programme, including concrete proposals for relevant professional fields and intended learning outcomes.

Project duration

2023 to 2027

Team

Research Group New Finance, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

  • prof. dr. G.J. Buijs, principal supervisor, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • prof. dr. Ir A. Nijhof, second supervisor, Nyenrode Business University 
  • dr. M. J. van der Linden, supervisor, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
  • Theo de Joode, [email protected], researcher

Funded by

Dutch Research Council (NWO)

Degree programme(s) potentially involved

 Finance & Control

Read more

Interview with Theo de Joode on his PhD research.

Contact

Would you like to know more about this PhD research? Please contact Theo de Joode [email protected]