Inside ISB’s Classroom: A Simulation on Sustainable Supply Chains

Why It Matters

The simulation equips tomorrow’s leaders with practical ESG decision‑making skills, bridging the gap between sustainability theory and profit‑driven business strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Simulation forces trade‑offs between profit, people, and planet
• Students learn that sustainability can boost financial performance
• Real‑time decisions reveal interdependence of supply‑chain metrics overall
• Boardroom discussions must integrate sustainability alongside profitability strategically
• Hands‑on experience prepares future managers for ESG challenges

Summary

The Indian School of Business (ISB) has launched its first complex operations‑management simulation that puts MBA students in the role of supply‑chain managers tasked with meeting the triple‑bottom‑line of people, profit and planet. The exercise, titled “Greening Supply Chain,” mimics real‑world constraints and forces participants to weigh sustainability against financial performance.

Across multiple rounds, students quickly discovered that choices affecting emissions, waste or sourcing ripple through profitability metrics. One participant described a strategy of deliberately making “wrong” decisions in the first round to learn, then shifting to sustainable options that ultimately lifted both ESG scores and the composite financial rating. The simulation highlighted that sustainability is not a cost centre but can be a lever for cost reduction and revenue growth.

Faculty member Anjel Praash emphasized that traditional MBA curricula focus on profit maximisation, whereas this module places sustainability at the forefront. A student reflected, “I felt like a CXO; every click changed my composite score,” underscoring the high‑stakes nature of each trade‑off. The discussion also stressed that ESG considerations must reach the boardroom, not just reside with a chief sustainability officer.

By immersing future managers in data‑driven, ESG‑centric decision‑making, ISB equips them to navigate the rising demand for green products and regulatory pressure. The simulation signals a broader shift in business education toward integrating sustainability into core strategy, preparing graduates to drive both shareholder value and societal impact.

Original Description

What does it take to balance profitability, sustainability, and operational performance in today’s world?

The Indian School of Business (ISB) introduces its first complex Operations Management simulation on Sustainable Supply Chains, developed by the Centre for Learning and Teaching Excellence in collaboration with Professor Anjal Prakash and Professor Sripad Devalkar.

In this immersive experience, students step into the role of supply chain managers, making high-stakes decisions that impact the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit. From sourcing choices to logistics trade-offs, they navigate real-world challenges under tight constraints.

As Professor Anjal Prakash explains, the simulation places students in realistic scenarios where maintaining sustainability while ensuring profitability becomes a delicate balance.

Watch how ISB students learn to make decisions where every choice has consequences.