PROMOTING CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
THROUGH MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT: WHAT CAN BE
LEARNED FROM INTERNATIONAL
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS?
NICOLA M. PLESS, THOMAS MAAK,
AND GÜNTER K. STAHL
In this article, we discuss how the human resource development (HRD) func-
tion can support corporate sustainability strategy by designing and imple-
menting leadership development programs incorporating international
service learning assignments. We describe “Project Ulysses,” an integrated
service learning program that involves sending participants in teams to de-
veloping countries to work in cross-sector partnerships with nongovernmen-
tal organizations (NGOs) and social entrepreneurs, supporting them in their
fight against pressing global problems. We present the findings of a narrative
analysis of learning stories produced by Ulysses participants. Understanding
how participants make sense of, and learn from, their experiences abroad
provides us with insights into how service learning programs can help man-
agers to develop the knowledge, skills, and mind-set that will enable them
to successfully support a company’s global sustainability and corporate so-
cial responsibility (CSR) efforts. We conclude by discussing the implications
for leadership development, specifically how organizations can incorporate
a responsibility and sustainability focus in their management development
programs.
Keywords: ethics, stakeholders, training and development
Correspondence to: Nicola M. Pless, ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Av. Torreblanca,
59, E-08172 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain, Phone: +34-93-554-3516, E-mail: nicola.pless@esade.edu.
Human Resource Management, Human Resource Management, November–December 2012, Vol. 51, No. 6. Pp. 873–904
© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
DOI:10.1002/hrm.21506