Sustainability and accounting education: The Students’ Perspective

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate accounting students’ overall understanding of the concept of sustainable development and how it relates to their future. Moreover, this paper contributes to investigate students’ attitude towards integrating sustainable development into accounting education. This study is concentrated on accounting students at Gothenburg University in Sweden. Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the accounting students’ understanding and attitude toward education for sustainable development, a survey was administered to 40 accounting and business students at Gothenburg University. Findings – Majority of the students perceive education for sustainable development as a “good thing.” Students were satisfied with the sustainable business learning experience offered at Gothenburg University. However, the results also suggest that students do not show a positive attitude toward integrating sustainable development into accounting education. Practical implications – The paper can assist education providers to assess how students perceive ESD. This may help bring about changes, to improve the teaching of sustainable development. Originality/value – There is a shortage of research concerning how students perceive sustainable development education. This study contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the fact that accounting and business education should develop graduates into broad-minded thinkers with a capacity for independent and critical thought. This will prepare them for future leadership roles.