Scholarly record
EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY IN AN UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING MODULE USING A BUSINESS SIMULATION: A CASE STUDY
Abstract
Despite growing recognition of the importance of integrating sustainability in business education, there is evidence that accounting and finance curricula lag behind other disciplines in this regard. One reason offered for this is that accounting and finance modules are often based on the principles of neo-classical economics and shareholder value creation which may not be consistent with the principles of sustainability. Another reason offered is that there is a lack of guidance and suitable resources available to accounting and finance educators to implement sustainability within their modules. The paper responds to these challenges by presenting a case study of a novel approach to embedding sustainability in a Undergraduate Introductory Financial Accounting and Reporting module through the use of Accounting Bissim, a business simulation activity in which sustainability plays a significant role in both student decision-making and the evaluation of team performance. The authors argue that rather than separating sustainability into stand-alone modules, it is more effective for sustainability to be embedded in existing modules so that students recognise sustainability as an integral part of management decision-making and performance evaluation and therefore relevant to both the entire senior management team and accounting and finance professionals, and not just relevant to those specialist staff involved in Corporate Social Responsibility activities. The paper presents student feedback on the use of this pedagogical approach over two academic years, which is extremely positive. The authors also demonstrate that by evaluating team performance in the simulation based on long term value creation for all stakeholders, and not just on short term profits, it is possible to incorporate sustainability within traditional accounting and finance modules.
Publication Impact Profile
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 5
Publication details
References15
Mburayi, L., Wall, T., Sustainability in the professional accounting and finance curriculum: an exploration. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol.8/Issue 3, pp 291-311, 2018. DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-03-2018-0036.
Davies, M., Potts, M., Yates, D., Bringing accounting courses to fife using simulation-based learning (SBL): the case of Accounting Bissim, in Elliott, C., Guest, J. and E. Vettraino (Eds.) Games, Simulations and Playful Learning in Business Education. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp 126-140, 2021.
Calabor, M., Mora, A., Moya, S., The Future of 'Serious Games' in Accounting Education: A Delphi Study. Journal of Accounting Education, vol. 46, pp 43-52, 2019.
Bhavani, G., Mehta, A., Dubey, A., Literature Review: Game Based Pedagogy in Accounting Education. International Journal of Financial Research, vol. 11/Issue 6, pp 163 – 176, 2020.
Springer, C. W., Borthick, A. F., Business Simulation to Stage Critical Thinking in Introductory Accounting. Issues in Accounting Education, vol. 19/Issue 3, pp 277-303, 2004.
Levant, Y., Coulmont, M. S. R., Business Simulation as an Active Learning Activity for Developing Soft Skills. Accounting Education, vol. 25/Issue 4, pp 368-395, 2016.
Rebele, J., St Pierre, E. K., A commentary on learning objectives for accounting education programs: The importance of soft skills and technical knowledge. Journal of Accounting Education, vol. 48, pp 71-79, 2019.
Matute, J., Melero, I. Game-based Learning: Using Simulators in the University Classroom. Universal Business Review, 2016. DOI: 10.3232/UBR.2016.V13.N3.03.
Lohmann, G., Pratt, M. A., Benckendorff, P., Strickland, P., Reynolds, P., Whitelaw, P. A. Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education Research, vol. 77/Issue 3, pp 455-472, 2019.
Schroder, D., Pontoppidan, C. A., The Future of Accounting Education at Higher Education Institutions: Embedding Education on ESG Accounting and Disclosures. Paper presented at American Accounting Association (AAA) Conference on Sustainability, ESG, and Accounting, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 2023.
Carnegie, G., Parker, L., Tsahuridu, E. It's 2020: What is Accounting Today?. Australian Accounting Review, vol. 31/Issue 1, pp 65-73, 2020.
Gray, R., Sustainability + accounting education: The elephant in the classroom. Accounting Education, vol. 22/Issue 4, pp 308-332, 2013.
Gatti, L., Ulrich, M., Seele, P., Education for sustainable development through business simulation games: An exploratory study of sustainability gamification and its effects on students' learning outcomes. Jourmal of Cleaner Production, vol. 207, pp 667-678, 2019.
Queen, P. E., Enlightened Shareholder Maximization: Is this Strategy Achievable?. Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127/Issue 3, pp 683-694, 2015. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2070-6.
United Nations, Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, 2015, http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.