MBA Students Seek Socially Responsible Careers

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

Net Impact is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a positive impact on
society by growing and strengthening a community of new leaders who use business to improve the
world. We offer a portfolio of programs to educate, equip, and inspire more than 10,000 members to
make a tangible difference in their universities, organizations, and communities.

Net Impact conducted a survey in October, 2006, to measure the attitudes and perspectives of MBA
students on the relationship between business and social / environmental concerns. Our goal was to get
a representative sample of MBAs to address questions related to business graduate education, career
goals, and the role of companies in society. The 31 question survey included demographic questions;
career history and aspirations; the role for business school education in preparing values-based leaders;
and general questions on the role business should play in addressing social and environmental concerns.
Our goal is to repeat the survey over time to measure changes in perspectives, as well as to compare the
1
MBA answers with those of college students and other populations.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

There were 2,113 current MBA students who answered the survey, representing 87 different graduate
business programs. Most of the students surveyed are currently based in the U.S. or Canada (82%). 37%
of the survey respondents indicated a current affiliation with Net Impact.

Across all demographics, the majority of students tells us that social and environmental issues should be
important considerations for business schools, career goals, and the private sector in general. In terms of
their MBA education, 78% of those surveyed agree that corporate social responsibility is a topic that
should be integrated into core curriculum classes at MBA programs. Seventy percent agree that business
schools should place more emphasis on training socially and environmentally responsible individuals than
they currently do. Only 9% of students say they do not want to learn more about corporate responsibility
during their business school education.

Overall, 79% of students say they will seek socially responsible employment at some point during their
careers; 59% say they will do so immediately following business school. The majority of respondents

1
A similar survey was conducted among undergraduate students in January 2007.
MBA Perspectives 1
Net Impact, Spring 2007

(63%) would prefer to work in medium to large business after the MBA degree; this number drops to 33%
when asked about goals for five to ten years after graduation.

In terms of general perspectives on business, 81% of students surveyed believe companies should try to
work toward the betterment of society, while 18% think most companies are pursuing that goal currently.
Nine out of ten respondents say that business leaders should factor social and environmental effects into
their business decisions, with 60% believing that this approach can be profitable.

Of the survey respondents, 63% are not affiliated with Net Impact. Of this group, 38% say they would like
to learn more about the organization, and 25% say they are not interested in learning more or joining.
Even of the segment without any interest in Net Impact, the majority agree with the opinions stated
above. For example, 60% of students with no interest in Net Impact agree that they will seek employment
that is socially responsible during their career, 64% agree that corporate social responsibility should be
integrated into core curriculum in MBA classes, and two-thirds (67%) believe that business should work
towards the betterment of society.

The implications of this study are especially important for business school programs and employers. The
survey results show that students today are interested in examining the social implications of business
during their MBA programs. Universities should consider adding corporate responsibility and related
topics to core and elective courses, as well as supporting relevant activities such as a speakers series
and case competitions. In addition, employers can benefit from addressing more social responsibility
issues in their workplaces, and by communicating their values to potential hires. This may be especially
true for medium to large companies: one in two MBAs who plan to enter the corporate sector immediately
following graduation say they plan to stop working for larger companies after five to ten years. Those that
plan to leave the corporate sector are more likely to say they want a socially responsible career than
those who plan to stay. This indicates that companies might have an opportunity to retain more
employees if they can place more emphasis on corporate responsibility.

Of all demographic segments examined, the most varied perspectives were observed when segmenting
the data by gender. Women are more interested in learning about almost all surveyed topics than men,
and are significantly more likely to seek socially responsible employment. As an underrepresented
segment in both MBA programs and in the corporate workforce, women are an important demographic for
employers to recruit and retain - emphasizing corporate responsibility and related themes may be a key
way to do so.

For further information, please contact Alejandra Villalobos, Analyst, at avillalobos@netimpact.org.

MBA Perspectives 2

METHODOLOGY

PROCESS

The findings presented here are taken from a survey conducted between September 25 and October 15,
2006. During that time, 2,112 current MBA students responded to an online questionnaire, which
consisted of 30 multiple-choice Likert-scale questions, plus one open-ended question to allow for further
qualification of answers (see Appendix C). Announcements for the online survey were sent to Net Impact
club leaders at 100 MBA programs, asking them to send the survey to their student body email list (see
Appendix D).

In total:

 87 programs were represented
 41 programs had 10+ student responses
 13 programs had 50+ respondents

Participants answered questions about the relationship between business and broader social and
environmental issues. The survey focused on three key areas:

 Career: Do students express an interest in socially responsible careers?
 Curriculum: Do students express an interest in learning about corporate social responsibility,
sustainability, international development, and social entrepreneurship during their MBA?
 Business and social responsibility: How important do students think social responsibility is
for the private sector?

For the purposes of this report, we combine Agree and Strongly Agree into Net Agree when speaking of
students who agree with a statement. Net Disagree includes those respondents who Disagree and
Strongly Disagree.

MBA Perspectives 3

STATISTICAL TESTING

 Where appropriate, proportions testing was utilized to measure differences between groups of
respondents in our study.

or

 A confidence interval of 95% was used, which indicates that we maintain 95%+ certainty that the
responses of two groups being compared are meaningfully different if we are to label these
differences as statistically significant findings.

MBA Perspectives 4

STUDY POPULATION

The figures in this section provide a snapshot of the population of respondents in this study. As figure 1
2 st
indicates, the majority of participants (56%) is male . The majority of respondents (70%) were 1 year
students [Figure 2] and enrolled in a full-time MBA program (87%) [Figure 3].

Fourth
Fifth
1%
Third 1%
2%
Female
44%
Second
26%

First
Male
70%
56%

Figure 1: Gender
Figure 2: Program Year

Native American/
Multi-racial Alaska Native
Part-time 3% 0%
13%
African
American/
Asian
Black
19%
3%

Hispanic,
non-White
White, 2%
not Hispanic Hispanic,
Full-time 66% White
87% 7%

Figure 4: Race/ Ethnicity
Figure 3: Program Type

2
According to GMAC data, males represent 70% of MBA students globally
MBA Perspectives 5

The majority of participants (66%) were Caucasian [Figure 4]; our study population is more diverse than
the U.S. business school population, which is 85% Caucasian. Perhaps not surprisingly, given that the
survey questionnaire was available only in English and that the announcements for the survey were
posted to mailing lists primarily in American universities, 85% of the respondents reported that they lived
in the United States. 37% of respondents are currently Net Impact members; 38% would consider or like
to learn more about Net Impact; and 25% are not interested in joining [Figure 5]. Finally, prior or
concurrent to enrolling in their MBA program, 14% of respondents had nonprofit work experience; 8% had
public sector and 76% had private sector work experience [Figure 6].

No work
experience
Single person
2%
business
1%

Public
Not Nonprofit
Small Sector
interested 14%
business 8%
Yes
25% 17%
37%

Learn more Medium to
38% large business
58%

Figure 5: Net Impact
Figure 6: Most Recent Work Experience
Membership/ Interest

MBA Perspectives 6

DETAILED FINDINGS

Overall

Career
Most students plan to look for socially responsible employment at some point in their careers, and many
intend to look beyond medium and large corporations, which are the more traditional MBA employers.
Close to eight in ten respondents (79%) indicate that they will seek socially responsible employment
during the course of their careers, while 59% say they will seek such work immediately after graduating
from business school.

Q: Immediately following business school, I plan to focus on Response
Percent
securing a job that is socially responsible.
Disagree (Net) 12.1%
Neutral/No Opinion 28.7%
Agree (Net) 59.1%
Total respondents 1907
Net Agree includes those who agree and strongly agree. Net Disagree includes those who
disagree and strongly disagree

Q: During my employment career, I will seek employment that Response
Percent
is socially responsible
Disagree (Net) 5%
Agree (Net) 79.2%

Q: Immediately after you receive your MBA degree, which Response
Percent
employment site do you most prefer to work in?
Nonprofit Organization 5.9%
Public sector – municipal, state, federal 2.2%
Medium to large business (100+ employees) 63.3%
Small business (under 100 employees) 13.4%
Single person business (no employees) 0.4%
I am not sure at this point 14.9%

MBA Perspectives 7

Q: Five to ten years after you received your MBA degree, Response
Percent
which employment site would you prefer at that time?
Nonprofit Organization 12.9%
Public sector – municipal, state, federal 4.5%
Medium to large business (100+ employees) 33.2%
Small business (under 100 employees) 26.3%
Single person business (no employees) 1.8%
I am not sure at this point 21.3%

Curriculum
Most students think that social and environmental topics should be integrated into the business school
curriculum. Seventy-eight percent of students agree that the subject of corporate social responsibility
(CSR) should be integrated into the MBA core curriculum, and 71% agree that business schools should
place more emphasis on training socially and environmentally responsible individuals than they currently
do.

Q: Please indicate whether or not you would like to learn more about any of the
following concepts while you are pursuing your MBA.
Yes Possibly No
63% (1309)
Corporate Social Responsibility 28% (582) 9% (197)
57% (1185)
Environmental Sustainability 31% (655) 12% (245)
47% (969)
Nonprofits 35% (721) 19% (392)
59% (1226)
Social Entrepreneurship 31% (653) 10% (209)
53% (1099)
Microfinance 34% (717) 13% (266)
54% (1118)
Renewable Energy 33% (679) 14% (286)
67% (1402)
International Development 26% (536) 7% (153)

Q: Corporate Social Responsibility is a topic that should be Response
integrated into core curriculum classes at MBA programs. Percent
Disagree (Net) 9.5%
Neutral/No Opinion 13%
Agree (Net) 77.6%
Net Agree includes those who agree and strongly agree. Net Disagree includes those who disagree
and strongly disagree

MBA Perspectives 8

Q: Business schools should place more emphasis on training
Response
socially and environmentally responsible individuals than they
Percent
currently do.
Disagree (Net) 8.7%
Agree (Net) 70.5%

Q: I believe that graduate business schools are currently preparing Response
students to lead businesses towards the betterment of society. Percent
Agree (Net) 43.2%

Q: I am (or plan to be) a leader in a club or activity at business
Response
school that emphasizes CSR, nonprofits, or other
Percent
social/environmental benefits.
Agree (Net) 45.4%

Business and social responsibility
Close to nine in ten students (89%) say that business professionals should take into account social and
environmental impacts when making business decisions. Eighty-one percent agree that businesses
should work towards the betterment of society (such as a healthier environment, the eradication of
poverty, and other societal issues); however, only 18% believe most corporations are currently working
towards that goal. Sixty percent agree that corporate social responsibility makes good business sense
because it leads to financial profits.

Q: I believe that businesses should work towards the
Response
betterment of society (such as a healthier environment, the
Percent
eradication of poverty, and other societal issues).
Disagree (Net) 7.1%
Agree (Net) 81%

MBA Perspectives 9

Q: I believe that most corporations are currently working Response
towards the betterment of society. Percent
Neutral/No Opinion 30%
Agree (Net) 18.2%

Q: Business professionals should take into account social Response
and environmental impacts when making business decisions. Percent
Disagree (Net) 3.1%
Agree (Net) 89.5%

Q: The for-profit sector should play a role in addressing Response
social and environmental issues. Percent
Disagree (Net) 4.3%
Agree (Net) 86.2%

Q: Corporate Social Responsibility makes good business Response
sense because it leads to financial profits. Percent
Agree (Net) 59.9%

Q: Corporate Social Responsibility is the “right” thing for Response
companies to do. Percent
Disagree (Net) 4.2%
Agree (Net) 81.8%

MBA Perspectives 10

Differences by MBA segment
Please see tables in Appendix A for more detail on the statistics below. Findings are statistically
significant, unless otherwise indicated.

Gender
Forty-five percent of survey respondents identified themselves as female. Findings suggest that women
are more likely than men to seek socially responsible careers.

 Nearly 87% of female (compared with 73% of male) students polled want to find socially
responsible employment at some point in their careers

 86% of female (compared with 71% of male) students agree that classes in corporate social
responsibility should be part of the core curriculum in MBA programs

 87% of female (compared with 71% of male) respondents say companies should try to work
toward the betterment of society

Political Affiliation
Among MBA students polled, 44% identified themselves as Democratic, 31% as Independent, and 25%
as Republican. Findings suggest that Democratic students are more likely than Republican students to
seek socially responsible careers.

 86% of Democratic (compared with 68% of Republican) students polled want to find socially
responsible employment at some point in their careers

 87% of Democratic (compared with 70% of Republican) students agree that the subject of
corporate social responsibility should be integrated into the MBA core curriculum

 86% of Democratic (compared with 65% of Republican) respondents agree with the statement
that businesses should work towards the betterment of society

Career History
We compared students whose last job was in the nonprofit or public sector with those who previously
worked in a medium to large corporation.

 Respondents whose last job was in the nonprofit or public sector are more likely than
respondents who previously worked in a medium to large business to agree that during their
career they will seek employment that is socially responsible (90% vs. 75%)

 Respondents whose last job was in the nonprofit or public sector are also more likely to agree
that classes in corporate social responsibility should be part of the core curriculum in MBA
programs (82% vs. 76%)

 They are also more likely to agree that businesses should work towards the betterment of
society (84% vs. 80%)

MBA Perspectives 11

Career Plans
We compared the responses of students who agree that they intend to seek socially responsible
employment during their careers with those who disagree.

 There are no significant differences between these groups in terms of whether they believe that
graduate business schools are preparing students to lead business towards the betterment of
society

 However, students who say that they will seek socially responsible employment are significantly
more likely to agree that corporate social responsibility should be integrated into the MBA core
curriculum as opposed to those who disagree or are neutral about seeking socially responsible
employment (85% vs. 51%)

 Students who say that they will seek socially responsible employment are also more likely to
believe that businesses should work towards the betterment of society (87% vs. 56%)

 Of the students who say that they will seek socially responsible employment 8% prefer to work
in a nonprofit organization immediately after receiving their MBA, 3% prefer to work in the
public sector, 58% prefer a medium to large business, and 15% prefer a small business

 Of the students who say they will not seek socially responsible employment, 82% prefer a
medium to large business, 8% prefer a small business, 1% prefer to work in a nonprofit
organization and 0% prefer to work in the public sector immediately after receiving their MBA

We analyzed differences between students who plan to work with a medium to large corporation long
term (5 years or more) with those who intend to shift careers to small business, nonprofit, government, or
entrepreneurial endeavors.

 Students who prefer to stay with a medium or large company after five years are less likely to
say that during their career, they will seek employment that is socially responsible (69% vs.
81%)

 Students who prefer to stay with a medium or large company are also less likely to believe that
businesses should work towards the betterment of society (76% vs. 83%)

 However, there is no statistically significant difference between these groups in their agreement
that corporate social responsibility is a topic which should be integrated into the MBA core
curriculum (73% vs. 75%)

Net Impact Membership
We analyzed differences between students who are Net Impact members and those who are not
interested in joining Net Impact.
 3
 91% of Net Impact member students (compared with 60% of the general MBA population )
polled want to find socially responsible employment at some point in their careers

3
Here we refer to non-members who are not interested in joining Net Impact.
MBA Perspectives 12


 87% of Net Impact member students (compared with 64% of the general MBA population)
agree that the subject of corporate social responsibility should be integrated into the MBA core
curriculum

 89% of Net Impact member respondents (compared with 67% of the general MBA population)
agree with the statement that businesses should work towards the betterment of society

MBA Perspectives 13

APPENDIX

Appendix A: Overall

Gender

During my Are you: STATISTICAL
employment career, I SIGNIFICANCE
MALE FEMALE
will seek employment
that is socially FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
responsible.
7% 3% YES
Disagree (Net) 68 1033 24 830
20% 10% YES
Neutral/No Opinion 206 1033 85 830
73% 87% YES
Agree (Net) 759 1033 721 830
Net Agree includes those who agree and strongly agree. Net Disagree includes those who disagree and strongly
disagree.

Corporate Social Are you: STATISTICAL
Responsibility is a SIGNIFICANCE
MALE FEMALE
topic that should be
integrated into core
FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
curriculum classes at
MBA programs.
13% 6% YES
Disagree (Net) 130 1033 47 830
16% 9% YES
71% 86% YES
Agree (Net) 738 1033 711 830
disagree.

I believe that Are you: STATISTICAL
businesses should SIGNIFICANCE
MALE FEMALE
work towards the
betterment of FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
society.
10% 3% YES
Disagree (Net) 101 1033 21 830
13% 10% YES
77% 87% YES
Agree (Net) 793 1033 718 830
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 14

Political Affiliation

During my If registered to vote, are you: STATISTICAL
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN
that is socially FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
responsible.
3% 9% YES
Disagree (Net) 17 562 28 320
10% 23% YES
86% 68% YES
Agree (Net) 486 562 219 320
disagree.

Corporate Social If registered to vote, are you: STATISTICAL
MBA programs.
6% 15% YES
Disagree (Net) 33 562 48 321
7% 15% YES
87% 70% YES
Agree (Net) 489 562 223 320
disagree.

I believe that If registered to vote, are you: STATISTICAL
work towards the
betterment of FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
society.
4% 17% YES
Disagree (Net) 22 562 54 320
10% 18% YES
86% 65% YES
Agree (Net) 482 562 208 320
disagree.

Career History

Prior (or concurrent) to enrolling in the MBA program,
which of the following BEST describes your work
During my STATISTICAL
experience?
NONPROFIT/PUBLIC MEDIUM TO LARGE
SECTOR BUSINESS
that is socially
responsible.

3% 6% YES
Disagree (Net) 13 447 63 1091
7% 19% YES
90% 75% YES
Agree (Net) 401 447 820 1091
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 15

Corporate Social which of the following BEST describes your work
STATISTICAL
Responsibility is a experience?
SIGNIFICANCE
topic that should be NONPROFIT/PUBLIC MEDIUM TO LARGE
integrated into core SECTOR BUSINESS
MBA programs. FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%

9% 10%
Disagree (Net) 38 447 111 1091 NO
10% 13% YES
82% 76% YES
Agree (Net) 366 447 834 1091
disagree.

which of the following BEST describes your work
I believe that STATISTICAL
experience?
NONPROFIT/PUBLIC MEDIUM TO LARGE
work towards the
SECTOR BUSINESS
betterment of
society.

6% 8%
Disagree (Net) 25 447 87 1091 NO
10% 12%
Neutral/No Opinion 46 447 136 1091 NO
84% 80% YES
Agree (Net) 376 447 868 1091
disagree.

Career Plans

I believe that During my employment career, I will seek employment
STATISTICAL
graduate business that is socially responsible.
SIGNIFICANCE
schools are currently YES NO
preparing students to
lead businesses to
work towards the FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
betterment of
society.
26% 23%
Disagree (Net) 394 1510 93 397 NO
32% 30%
42% 47%
Agree (Net) 638 1510 185 397 NO
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 16

During my employment career, I will seek employment
Corporate Social STATISTICAL
that is socially responsible.
YES NO
curriculum classes at FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
MBA programs.
6% 21% YES
Disagree (Net) 97 1510 83 397
9% 28% YES
85% 51% YES
Agree (Net) 1277 1510 203 397
disagree.

During my employment career, I will seek employment
that is socially responsible.
YES NO
work towards the
betterment of
society.
3% 21% YES
Disagree (Net) 50 1510 85 397
9% 22% YES
87% 56% YES
Agree (Net) 1321 1510 224 397
disagree.

Respondents who immediately after MBA will work in
a medium to large enterprise, and then 5 years later
either SHIFT career paths and work in a nonprofit,
small or single person business, or in the public
sector, or whether they will STAY and work in a
medium to large enterprise
that is socially
SHIFT STAY
responsible.

4% 9% YES
Disagree (Net) 17 473 50 527
15% 24% YES
81% 66% YES
Agree (Net) 385 473 349 527
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 17

Corporate Social either SHIFT career paths and work in a nonprofit,
STATISTICAL
Responsibility is a small or single person business, or in the public
SIGNIFICANCE
topic that should be sector, or whether they will STAY and work in a
integrated into core medium to large enterprise
curriculum classes at SHIFT STAY
MBA programs.

10% 11%
14% 17%
75% 72%
Agree (Net) 357 473 382 527 NO
disagree.

either SHIFT career paths and work in a nonprofit,
small or single person business, or in the public
sector, or whether they will STAY and work in a
work towards the
medium to large enterprise
betterment of
SHIFT STAY
society.

7% 10%
10% 15% YES
83% 76% YES
Agree (Net) 393 473 398 527
disagree.

Net Impact Membership

Are you a Net Impact member?
NO, I am not interested in
YES
joining.
that is socially
responsible.
2% 12% YES
Disagree (Net) 18 746 53 438
7% 28% YES
91% 60% YES
Agree (Net) 679 746 261 438
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 18

Corporate Social Are you a Net Impact member?
STATISTICAL
Responsibility is a NO, I am not interested in SIGNIFICANCE
YES
topic that should be joining.
curriculum classes at FREQ. TOTAL % FREQ. TOTAL % AT 95%
MBA programs.
7% 16% YES
Disagree (Net) 54 746 69 438
6% 20% YES
87% 64% YES
Agree (Net) 646 746 281 438
disagree.

Are you a Net Impact member?
NO, I am not interested in
YES
joining.
work towards the
betterment of
society.
3% 15% YES
Disagree (Net) 19 746 64 438
9% 19% YES
88% 66% YES
Agree (Net) 660 746 291 438
disagree.

MBA Perspectives 19

Appendix B: Knowledge ratings4

Q: Please rate your general knowledge today about each of the following categories.
First year MBA Second year
Overall Male Female
Category student MBA student
(N = 2109) (N = 1033) (N = 829)
(N = 1467) (N = 549)
Corporate Social
3.32 3.32 3.36 3.24 3.50
Responsibility
Environmental
3.08 3.21 2.98 3.01 3.22
Sustainability
Nonprofits 3.01 2.85 3.28 2.95 3.13
Social Entrepreneurship 2.77 2.74 2.87 2.72 2.92
Microfinance 2.42 2.49 2.34 2.35 2.60
Renewable Energy 2.77 3.03 2.50 2.74 2.80
International
2.93 3.00 2.88 2.87 3.07
Development
Scale: 1 = very low; 2 = moderately low; 3 = moderate; 4 = moderately high; 5 = high

Q: Please indicate whether you would like to learn more about any of the concepts while you are pursuing
your MBA.
Overall Male Female First year MBA Second year MBA
Category
(N = 2105) (N = 1033) (N = 829) student (N = 1464) student (N = 548)
YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO
Corporate Social
63% 56% 73% 64% 59%
9% 11% 6% 9% 11%
Responsibility
Environmental
57% 55% 62% 57% 56%
12% 13% 9% 12% 12%
Sustainability
Nonprofits 47% 39% 59% 48% 44%
19% 23% 12% 18% 21%
Social
59% 55% 67% 61% 55%
10% 12% 6% 9% 12%
Entrepreneurship
Microfinance 53% 53% 55% 54% 51%
13% 13% 13% 12% 13%
Renewable
54% 59% 50% 53% 56%
14% 12% 15% 12% 13%
Energy
International
67% 64% 72% 67% 65%
7% 8% 5% 12% 7%
Development
The percentage not shown is Possibly

4
Note: these have not been tested for statistical significance.
MBA Perspectives 20

Appendix C: Online Survey Form

New Semester, New Perspectives: The Net Impact Survey of MBA Student Opinions on Business and
Society

Net Impact is embarking on a multi-year, longitudinal study of MBA students. Results will be shared with
the media and broader public to demonstrate how current MBA students view the relationship between
business and broader social and environmental concerns. Our goal is to conduct this survey annually to
determine how MBA perspectives change over time.

Please note: ONLY CURRENT MBA STUDENTS should participate in this survey. Thank you.

1. For how many years have you been enrolled in your MBA program?
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5

2. Are you currently a part-time or a full-time student?
 Part-time
 Full-time

3. Which MBA program are you in?

4. Are you a Net Impact member?
 Yes, I have been a member for six months or less.
 Yes, I have been a member for more than six months.
 No, but I plan to join in the next month or so.
 No, but I would like to learn more about it.
 No, I am not interested in joining

5. Prior (or concurrent) to enrolling in the MBA program, which of the following BEST describes your
work experience?
 Nonprofit organization
 Public sector - municipal, state, federal
 Medium to large business (100+ employees)
 Small business (under 100 employees)
 Single person business - no employees
 No work experience to date

6. Immediately after you receive your MBA degree, which employment site do you most prefer to
work in?

7. Five to ten years after you received your MBA degree, which employment site would you prefer at
that time?
MBA Perspectives 21


8. Please rate your general knowledge today about each of the following categories.
 Corporate Social Responsibility
 Environmental Sustainability
 Nonprofits
 Social Entrepreneurship
 Microfinance
 Renewable Energy
 International Development

9. Please indicate whether or not you would like to learn more about any of the concepts while you
are pursuing your MBA.
 Corporate Social Responsibility
 Environmental Sustainability
 Nonprofits
 Social Entrepreneurship
 Microfinance
 Renewable Energy
 International Development

10. Corporate Social Responsibility is a topic that should be integrated into core curriculum classes at
MBA programs.
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral/ No opinion
 Agree
 Strongly agree

11. Business schools should place more emphasis on training socially and environmentally
responsible individuals than they currently do.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

12. I believe that graduate business schools are currently preparing students to lead businesses to
work towards the betterment of society.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

13. I am (or plan to be) a leader in a club or activity at the business school that emphasizes CSR,
nonprofits, or other social/environmental benefits.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

14. Immediately following business school, I plan to focus on securing a job that is socially
responsible.
MBA Perspectives 22

 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

15. During my employment career, I will seek employment that is socially responsible.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

16. I believe that businesses should work towards the betterment of society [such as a healthier
environment, the eradication of poverty, and other societal issues].
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

17. I believe that most corporations are currently working towards the betterment of society.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

18. Business professionals should take into account social and environmental impacts when making
business decisions.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

19. The for-profit sector should play a role in addressing social and environmental issues.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

20. Corporate Social Responsibility makes good business sense because it leads to financial profits.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

21. Corporate Social Responsibility is the quot;rightquot; thing for companies to do.
 Disagree
 Agree
 Strongly agree

22. Please comment about the relationship between business and society (optional).
MBA Perspectives 23

23. Please enter your email to win a chance for a $100 gift certificate to the online merchant of your
choice.

24. Please describe where you currently live.
 Urban area
 Suburban area
 Rural area

25. Are you
 Male
 Female

26. What best describes your ethnic and racial heritage?
 Native American/ Alaskan Native
 Asian
 African American / Black
 Hispanic, non-White
 Hispanic, White
 White, not Hispanic
 Multi-racial

27. Please tell us your country of origin.

28. Please tell us your country of current residence.

29. If you are an American citizen, are you currently registered to vote?
 Yes
 No

30. If yes, are you registered:
 Democratic
 Independent
 Republican

31. How often do you vote in presidential, statewide, and local elections?
 Always
 Sometimes
 Rarely
 Never

MBA Perspectives 24

Appendix D: Schools Surveyed

Which MBA program are you in? Total Respondents
University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business 148
Duke University - Fuqua School of Business 140
111
Columbia University - Columbia Business School
Georgetown University - McDonough School of Business 110
Wake Forest University - Babcock Graduate School of Management 104
University of North Carolina - Kenan-Flagler Business School 102
Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management 77
Emory University - Goizueta Business School 71
Brigham Young University - Marriott School of Business 70
Cornell University - Johnson Graduate School of Management 62
University of Wisconsin Madison - Graduate School of Business 62
Saint Joseph's University - Haub School of Business 54
INSEAD 50
University of Denver - Daniels College of Business 48
University of Washington - Business School 47
University of California Berkeley - Haas School of Business 42
Rice University 41
Yale University - Yale School of Management 41
Erasmus University - Rotterdam School of Management 38
Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business 37
Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management 37
Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU) 36
University of Alberta - School of Business 35
Purdue University - Krannert School of Management 32
IMD Lausanne 29
York University - Schulich School of Business 24
Simon Fraser University - School of Business 21
University of California Davis - Graduate School of Management 21
Pepperdine University - Graziadio School of Business and Management 19
Harvard University - Harvard Business School 18
University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management 18
University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business 17
Monterey Institute of International Studies 16
Thunderbird University - The American Graduate School of International
16
Management
Simmons University 15
University of Alabama - Manderson Graduate School of Business 13
Georgia Tech - College of Management 12
George Washington University - School of Business and Public Management 11
New York University - Stern School of Business 11
North Carolina State University 10
University of San Francisco - School of Business and Management 10
Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business 9
Instituto de Empresa 9
San Francisco State University - College of Business 8
Babson College - F.W. Olin Graduation School of Business 7
Bainbridge Graduate Institute 6
Georgia State University 6
University of New Mexico - Anderson Graduate School of Management 6
MBA Perspectives 25

University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School of Business 6
University of Texas Austin - McCombs School of Business 6
University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management 6
University of California Los Angeles - Anderson School of Business 5
Boston University - Graduate School of Management 4
Brandeis University 4
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business 4
Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration - Helsinki 4
Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management 3
McGill University - Faculty of Management 3
Oxford University - Said School of Business 3
Stanford University - Stanford Graduate School of Business 3
University of Chicago - Graduate School of Business 3
University of Colorado - Leeds School of Business 3
University of Maryland - Smith School of Business 3
University of Virginia - Darden Graduate School of Business Administration 3
Washington University - Olin School of Business 3
HEC - School of Management 2
Indian School of Business 2
Melbourne Business School 2
Presidio School of Management 2
University of Geneva 2
University of Kansas - School of Business 2
Boston College - Carroll Graduate School of Management 1
Dalhousie University - Faculty of Management 1
ESSEC 1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School of Business 1
Penn State University - Smeal College of Business 1
Portland State University - School of Business Administration 1
Saint Louis University - John Cook School of Business 1
Santa Clara University 1
University of Arizona - Eller Graduate School of Management 1
University of British Columbia - Sauder School of Business 1
University of Cincinnati 1
University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business 1
University of Rochester - William E. Simon Graduate School of Business 1
University of Utah - Eccles School of Business 1
Villanova University - College of Commerce and Finance 1

MBA Perspectives 26

Appendix E: Respondent Quotes
“The key business role is to develop society, not profits.”

“Businesses contribute to society if they respect shareholders’ rights and interest. Other than that, it is a
waste of time and money.”

“Businesses that cross boundaries and borders have the opportunity to make social change in a way that
government simply cannot.”

“My initial impression is that promoting CSR is an attempt to impose liberal policies and politics on
corporations and employees. To the extent that is the case, I think CSR promotion would be an economic
and moral disaster.”

“Even if CSR has no effect on profits, [businesses] should do it because it's the right thing to do.”

“The word on the street is that this is the only planet currently capable of supporting human life. Any
venture that does not actively address this reality should be taxed accordingly.”

“Markets are powerful enough to allocate capital in the best interest of humanity.”

“While doing business, society should be taken care of but it need not go hand in hand. Business is all
about making profits and considering society at every stage might not be fruitful for the end result-profit.”

“It should not be a business school’s responsibility to educate or make people more responsible. This
should have been done by society and the family decades prior to students undertaking a MBA.”

“Business owes its foundation to an advancing society and thus needs to invest in that advancement.”

“There is a fine line between simply doing good, and making a positive impact on the triple bottom line. It
is the latter that many businesses fail to recognize.”

“Business is by itself a force toward social progress.”

“After working in the nonprofit sector for a couple of years, I have determined that the majority of
nonprofits lack the efficiency and expertise to address social problems in an efficient manner. Business is
the most nimble and capable of the sectors in the US economy.. .therefore, business approaches to
solving social problems will be the most capable and practical.”

“The purpose of a company should be to promote and enhance the community in which it resides and
society in general. Companies who focus more on earnings and less on social responsibility are
counterproductive to this aim.”

“Businesses benefit from society in general and therefore are not only quot;responsiblequot; but also morally
obligated to reciprocate a return on society's investments.”

“CSR gives businesses an excuse not to integrate environmental and social concerns into their core
business strategies. As long as these issues are considered only as a way of livening up a company's
annual report, they will never fundamentally change their business practices.”

“Businesses help set the standard for socially responsible practices and lead governments in forming the
right policies for regulation.”

“Profitability is easy. Changing the world is hard.”

MBA Perspectives 27

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Net Impact would like to thank all students and administrators who helped to distribute this survey to their
student body. We would also like to thank two interns who contributed to this analysis: Sara Martinez and
Andrea Schuenke. Finally, a big thank you to member Katerina Tsasis who volunteered her time and
expertise to help our statistical analysis and reporting.

MBA Perspectives 28

MBA Students Seek Socially Responsible Careers

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