This study examines how sustainability-focused education influences business students’ awareness of social and environmental issues and their capacity to integrate these considerations into profit-oriented decision-making. A survey of 141 second-year international business students revealed that exposure to sustainability and business ethics significantly enhances ethical reasoning, awareness, and decision-making, whereas curricula emphasizing profit-driven principles can undermine these outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of integrating sustainability into business education to prepare ethically informed and strategically capable future leaders.
Introduction
Organizations are increasingly expected to align strategies with sustainable development goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. Consequently, business education must equip students to balance ethical obligations with profitability, fostering leaders capable of responsible and informed decision-making. In this context, sustainability awareness has emerged as a critical competency, enabling future managers to consider long-term environmental, social, and economic impacts while pursuing financial objectives.
Research Object, Aim, and Objectives
The object of the study is the sustainability awareness and ethical decision-making capacity of business students. The aim of the research is to examine the impact of sustainability education on integrating ethical and profit considerations. The specific objectives of the study are: 1. Evaluate students’ awareness of social and environmental issues.2. Assess the influence of sustainability education on ethical decision-making.3. Examine students’ ability to balance profit and responsibility.
Methodology
A quantitative survey was conducted with 141 second-year international business students at Vilnius University Business School in 2024. Group 1 (n=90) had studied sustainability, business ethics, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), while Group 2 (n=51) had not been exposed to these subjects. Participants rated their awareness, ethical decision-making, and ability to integrate sustainability into business decisions using a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses to identify differences between groups and the effect of profit-driven curricula.
Results
| Variable | Group 1 (Sustainability-Educated) | Group 2 (Non-Educated) | p-Value |
| Awareness of Social and Environmental Issues | 4.3 | 3.2 | <0.01 |
| Ethical Decision-Making | 4.0 | 3.0 | <0.01 |
| Sustainability Integration into Business Decisions | 4.6 | 3.3 | <0.001 |
Additional analysis revealed that curricula emphasizing profit-driven principles negatively impacted outcomes: Awareness of social and environmental issues: R² = 0.055, p < 0.05; Ethical decision-making: R² = 0.12, p < 0.01. These results indicate that sustainability education significantly enhances students’ awareness, ethical reasoning, and integration of sustainability into business decisions, whereas an overemphasis on profit-driven principles undermines these capacities.
Conclusions
The study demonstrates that exposure to sustainability-focused education plays a pivotal role in developing business students’ ethical frameworks, awareness of social and environmental issues, and ability to integrate these considerations into strategic decision-making. Conversely, curricula that prioritize profit over ethical considerations can diminish these competencies. Therefore, business schools should embed sustainability principles systematically, ensuring that future leaders are equipped to navigate the dual imperatives of ethical responsibility and profitability.
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