“The Role of Internships in Shaping Sustainability Education Skills of Business Students: Student and Employer Views in Fiji”

Abstract

The business community has continuously urged graduates to be equipped with knowledge of sustainability because of the broadening focus on environmental and societal impacts. Several studies pointed out that the implementation of sustainable business practices is weak within organisations because accountants or business professionals lack the knowledge of sustainability accounting. This study examined the sustainability accounting skills perceived as necessary by employers in Fiji and how internships contribute to shaping business students’ sustainability accounting skills. This study is underpinned by the situated learning theory (SLT). SLT is derived from the constructivist theory that stipulates that learners construct meaningful knowledge when they participate in a real-world workplace situation. A mixed-method approach was used to collect data from field internships in the areas of accounting, marketing, and information systems. The primary participants are the employers (internship host supervisors) and the undergraduate business students at Fulton Adventist University College (FAUC). The research instruments included surveys and interviews. Skills commonly cited were principles of financial reporting and regulatory compliance, communication, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, strategic planning, and decision-making. The employer participants concurred that an internship is an 
effective strategy to develop sustainability education skills because it offers a valuable opportunity to students to engage with experienced professionals. This eventually helps them understand the practical applications of the regulatory requirements and become aware of the requisite skills at the workplace.