A Report on

Workshop on

“Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Business Operations: A Strategic Approach to Sustainability”

 06^th February, 2025

Organised by: Maharishi School of Business Management, Noida

 

Objective of the Workshop: The workshop aimed to provide students with the knowledge and tools to integrate sustainable development goals into business operations. It focused on equipping them with strategic approaches to sustainability, enabling them to drive positive societal and environmental impact.

Participating Students: MBA, BBA and B.Com students were the primary attendees of the workshop.

The Maharishi School of Business Management, Noida, in collaboration with the IQAC, organized a workshop on the theme “Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Business Operations: A Strategic Approach to Sustainability” on February 6th, 2025, at the MUIT Noida Campus auditorium.

The speaker of the workshop, Dr. Mageswari Ranjanthran, has over 14 years of academic and corporate experience. She has been an active member of the South East Asia Research Academy since 2020 and is also a board member of the Centre for South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies. As a research officer for the Sustainable Tourism Research Cluster during her doctoral studies, Dr. Ranjanthran contributed to various projects for tourism development, including the Pulau Pangkor & Penang State Tourism Economic Plan.

The workshop commenced with the felicitation of Dr. Ranjanthran by Prof. (Dr.) Smita Mishra, Dean of the School of Business Management (SOBM).

The workshop began with an introduction to the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing students with a deeper understanding of their global significance and the role businesses play in addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation. The importance of integrating these goals into business operations was emphasized to create lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits.

A significant portion of the workshop focused on a strategic approach to implementing SDGs in business operations. Students learned how to align business strategies with SDGs using various frameworks and tools. The session aimed to equip students with the knowledge to make sustainability an integral part of business decisions, thus contributing to global development goals while ensuring profitability.

Several case studies showcasing companies that have successfully implemented sustainable practices were presented. These real-world examples helped students understand the practical application of SDGs, highlighting the challenges, solutions, and tangible benefits that companies can achieve by aligning their operations with sustainability goals.

The workshop also highlighted the importance of having a clear sustainability vision. Students were guided on how to create a sustainability vision that aligns with long-term goals, focusing on improving environmental and social outcomes while achieving business objectives. This vision was framed as a critical driver for integrating sustainability into a company’s overall strategy.

Additionally, the workshop covered the five steps of PESTEL analysis to help students evaluate external factors impacting business sustainability. By examining political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal influences, students learned how businesses can adapt their strategies to both mitigate risks and seize new opportunities in the context of sustainability.

The workshop concluded with an engaging query session where students had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify doubts. This final discussion provided a platform for students to deepen their understanding of the key concepts and gain further insights into integrating SDGs into business operations.

The workshop provided students with a comprehensive understanding of how to approach sustainability strategically, preparing them to lead businesses that prioritize both profitability and positive societal impact.