Environmental Knowledge and Attitudes of Faculty: Business versus Arts and Sciences

Abstract

Business schools lag behind others in addressing the environmental agenda despite increasing public concern and business recognition of the importance of environmental factors. Faculty (N = 175) in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the Schools of Business, Social Work, and Education were administered the environmental attitude and knowledge scale developed by Maloney, Ward, and Braucht (1975). Business faculty were less knowledgeable (p < .05) and demonstrated less ecologically oriented attitudes (p < .01) than did nonbusiness faculty. The few business faculty who discussed environmental topics in their classes gave them minimal treatment. Universities that want to make a positive ecological impact through curriculum development may first want to assess faculty knowledge and attitudes regarding environmental issues.