News

McGill's MBA Program ranks highly on both social responsibility and return on investment

Published: 6 October 2003

In the 2003 Beyond Grey Pinstripes Survey, conducted by the Aspen Institute and the World Resources Institute, the McGill MBA is among 36 MBA programs selected for their contribution to social responsibility. The survey, which analyzed 100 schools from 20 countries, celebrates the achievements of MBA programs that are infusing environmental and social impact management into the classroom, activities and faculty research.

Concurrently, Forbes magazine included McGill in the top 15 non-US MBA programs for return on investment in its October 13 MBA survey. In Canada, McGill ranks second on return on investment for two-year MBA programs.

"The results of the Grey Pinstripes Survey are very gratifying," says Alfred Jaeger, Associate Dean of the McGill MBA Program. "They underscore the fact that the McGill MBA has had a balanced approach to business for some time. McGill MBA students get a firm understanding of the dynamics of a market economy while gaining an appreciation for ethical and social issues. These viewpoints are often seen as being in opposition, but at McGill they are viewed as complementary. Understanding both is essential for future business leaders. Our strong return on investment, as shown in the Forbes survey, is one more indication of the value of a McGill MBA degree."

Over one-third of the Faculty of Management's faculty members spend a portion of their research time on research pertaining to social innovation, social impacts, and managing for environmental sustainability. Because of this high level of interest among faculty, these themes are addressed not only in special elective courses, but in mainstream MBA courses, as faculty pursuing social themes reflect these perspectives in the context of regular business and management courses.

Moreover, through its Consortium on Innovation, the McGill Faculty of Management is taking a particular interest in the transfer of research and academic knowledge into practical applications that address real-world issues. The consortium brings together a range of initiatives and research projects, among them the McGill/DuPont Initiative on Innovation for Social Purposes. In September 2002, the Faculty of Management and DuPont Canada formed a collaborative venture to promote innovation in the social sector. This work builds on the shared interests and competencies of both McGill and DuPont in the arenas of innovation and societal sustainability.

"For a small MBA program, McGill offers a surprising number of special concentration opportunities and electives that relate to social innovation and the environment," says Margaret Graham, Faculty Coordinator of the McGill Consortium on Innovation.

In addition to its MBA concentration in Management for Developing Economies, McGill offers courses in Sustainability and in Social Marketing, with opportunities for doing independent studies in Social Entrepreneurship.

"Students who complete their MBA at McGill are exposed to a broad spectrum of views about the roles of business in society and globalization," adds Alfred Jaeger.

The McGill Faculty of Management is widely recognized as Canada's leading international business school. Thanks to the Faculty's groundbreaking programs and innovative research in the field of management, McGill MBA graduates are recognized for their broad perspective, cross-cultural sensitivity, and world-wise approach to business.

Back to top