Since the IPADE’s foundation in 1967, the institution’s mission has been to prepare leaders capable of transforming organizations and society with a global, ethical, and socially responsible vision. The institution’s honest interest in offering business education with a human focus has been sustained since the formation of the Academic Staff and the different academic areas responsible for offering the coursework that makes up the different programs.



The ‘Philosophy and Corporation’ area, devoted to the study of ethics, social responsibility and sustainability at the IPADE certifies that all academic content is based on ethical concepts shaping managerial actions. Because of this specialized academic area, greater depth can be achieved examining these issues. It also serves as underlying support for other academic areas because through it, IPADE professors can develop concepts and sound knowledge about the ethical implications in the topics covered in their teaching material or the classroom to respond to any dilemmas that arise. The courses have an ethical component, regardless of the central theme of each session, as part of the study and analysis process involved in the case study approach, so that participants realize the ethical implications of their decisions.



Some of the professors in this area are directly involved with others, which helps sustain a practical perspective of real problems that come up in businesses. That is in fact the case for Drs. Ramón Ibarra and Carlos Rossell, both of whom are part of the Financial Management area, and Professor Marco Iván Escotto, Deputy Director of the Centro de Estudios para la Gobernabildad Institucional (Center for Studies on Institutional Governance, CEGI).



Also, through the School of Philosophy part of the Universidad Panamericana, the IPADE offers academic staff ongoing training in issues related to human values, philosophical, and ethical values.



The MBA Admissions Department incorporates into their analysis process the existence of human values and a social vision that goes beyond corporate utilitarianism of particular candidates.



IPADE’s MBA participants engage in social work in rural communities and marginalized regions, by actively handing out basic necessities related items including food, school supplies, hygiene products, and toys, in addition to providing moral support. These actions, are organized by the academic staff and are intended to raise awareness among MBA students about the painful realities surrounding the great majority of the population, with the idea that once they are holding positions of high responsibility at any organization, they can continue to bear in mind the country’s need for development and are mindful to contribute to it.



IPADE is part of several international initiatives. In 2010, we joined efforts set forth by the Global Business School Network (GBSN) to contribute in the academic and managerial development of some of the most disadvantaged regions in the world helping to create socially responsible leadership with global reach. For our student body, this is an opportunity to partake in development initiatives by other schools in countries with emerging economies.



Since May 2010, we are members of the Global Pact, the world’s leading social responsibility initiative led by the UN’s Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Principle for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the branch of business schools participating in the Treaty.



Professors Felipe González y González and Marco Iván Escotto Arroyo, are part of the Global Pact Committee in Mexico (Members of the Local Network Steering Committee) and of the PRME’s Working Group on Anti-Corruption, where other academic professionals from schools such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, among others, collaborate on a proposal for business schools to work towards a curriculum proposal that will serve to fight corruption.



IPADE is also an academic partner of Ashoka México, and in 2010 jointly developed a workshop titled, “Hybrid Rural Value Chains” for entrepreneurs that would help to create liaisons between companies, social organizations, small agricultural producers to identify areas of opportunity and establish innovative business approaches to generate social change.



In October 2010, a Forum for Social Entrepreneurship was held, organized by the Centro de Estudios para la Gobernabilidad Institucional (CEGI) and the Political and Social Environment division focusing on the topic of “Building social sector differentials” attended by representatives of some 20 civil society organizations attended to strengthen their leadership skills.  



Separately, the 2008 – 2010 class was the first in Mexico and the Latin American region to take on the MBA Oath, through which program participants morally assume the responsibility of their managerial work.  



In January 2011, the Financial Times newspaper ranked the IPADE in 4th place in the world for their vision on social responsibility in the business world.