How sustainable is the governance for sustainability in higher education? Insights from an Italian case study
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 24 July 2023
Issue publication date: 27 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Higher education (HE) institutions can play a fundamental role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, universities often face various obstacles to sustainability management, leading to a lack of strategies for implementing governance for sustainability (GFS). The purpose of this paper is to propose a model, based on work and organizational psychology (WOP), for the analysis, promotion and implementation of GFS in HE. The model includes five dimensions: culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a mixed methods approach, GFS was investigated in four Piedmontese (Northern Italy) universities and in their sustainability network, applying the model proposed in this paper.
Findings
The five dimensions of the model have proven to be fundamental to the development of GFS in HE. Each dimension was filled with experiences from specific contexts through data collection, highlighting specificities and barriers. Furthermore, the mixed methods approach and the WOP perspective proved to be effective in addressing sustainable transitions in HE.
Originality/value
A practical proposal for analyzing and improving HE sustainable transitions in a WOP perspective is still missing, as well as a model that identifies organizational dimensions that should be monitored. This study not only provides an example of this transition but also confirms the importance that the literature attributes to the specificities and barriers of dimensions such as culture, leadership, teamwork, communication and transition management in this context.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The project was proposed by the RUS Piedmont network, and funded by the Ministry of Environment to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development.
The project was proposed by the RUS Piedmont network, and funded by the Ministry of Environment to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development.
Disclosure statement: The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.
Citation
Sacchi, A., Molino, M., Dansero, E., Rossi, A.A. and Ghislieri, C. (2023), "How sustainable is the governance for sustainability in higher education? Insights from an Italian case study", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 24 No. 8, pp. 1970-1990. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2022-0254
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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