The Master of Management Study Program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), successfully organized an international Focus Group Discussion (FGD) entitled “SDGs & Purpose-Driven Business: Leading Change, Creating Impact” on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Held online via Zoom Meeting for approximately four hours, the event brought together academics from several higher education institutions, including UNNES, Universitas Semarang, Universitas Diponegoro, STIEPARI Semarang, Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta, and Universitas Stikubank (Unisbank) Semarang.
The event was officially opened by Dorojatun Prihandono, S.E., M.M., Ph.D., Vice Dean III for Business, Research, and Cooperation of FEB UNNES, who emphasized translating the SDGs into concrete action and strengthening collaboration among academia, business, and society. The event report was delivered by Dr. Sri Wartini, S.E., M.M., while Sandy Arief, Ph.D., CPA served as moderator. The FGD featured Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Fourteena P. Dewi, MBA, MMIT from Arc Australia Consulting.
Dr. Zulnaidi explained that business integration of the SDGs should progress from symbolic communication and tactical CSR toward strategic integration, where purpose is embedded in corporate vision, mission, strategy, and operations. He highlighted the importance of materiality assessment to identify the SDGs most relevant to each business sector. He also presented the KBQ Baburrayyan coffee cooperative in Central Aceh as an example of the systemic impact of collective organizations and highlighted opportunities for Malaysia-Indonesia cooperation in halal and sustainable supply chains. He concluded, “profit is essential, but profit is not purpose.”
Meanwhile, Fourteena P. Dewi discussed business as a driver of positive change through impactful leadership. She emphasized that business operates at the intersection of society and environment, creating a shared responsibility for sustainable transformation. She also highlighted leadership development integrating mind, heart, body, and soul, supported by technical skills, cognitive skills, and competencies to address organizational needs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
During the discussion, both speakers emphasized that purpose and the SDGs should go beyond symbolic communication or corporate social responsibility and become structurally integrated into organizations and individuals. Key challenges included the high cost of environmentally friendly products and gaps between academic education and practical leadership skills. Higher education institutions were encouraged to strengthen interdisciplinary perspectives and support student entrepreneurship.
The FGD reflects the commitment of the Master of Management Study Program at FEB UNNES to fostering an academic culture responsive to global developments while supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The forum provided strategic perspectives on how organizations and individuals can lead change and create sustainable impact for society and the environment.
