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An Empirical Approach

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Re-Building University Capabilities

Part of the book series: Applied Innovation and Technology Management ((AITM))

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Abstract

The development of universities’ sustainability capabilities has been influenced by external demands related to the big societal challenges and the United Nation’s SDGs. Due to the availability of information, this study explores the sustainable transition in European universities and North American universities. By using data from the European University Association and the Sustainable Campus Index, our analysis shows insights into the university’s sustainable transformation patterns and metrics. Preliminary insights reveal how university managers have impregnated a sustainable approach in the development of new university capabilities.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Methodological note: The survey was divided into five sections comprising 32 open-ended, ranking, multiple and single-choice questions covering a wide variety of topics related to innovation at universities. The survey was open from 4 May to 28 June 2021. It was preceded by a pilot phase involving six organizations of different sizes, profiles and geographical locations. This study obtained 166 valid responses from organizations in 28 European countries. Concretely, of the total 166 responses, 134 are from EUA members, and 32 from non-member organizations. For further details, review European University Association (2022, p. 12) and (Kozirog et al., 2022).

  2. 2.

    Methodological note: Top Performer scores are based on performance at the time of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating system report submission. Top performers in each impact are were determined based on the percentage of applicable points earned within the relevant category: air & climate, building, campus engagement, coordination and planning, curriculum, diversity and affordability, energy, food and dining, grounds, investment and finance, public engagement, pursing, research, transportation, waste, water and well-being. For further details, review AASHE (2021, p. 66).

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Acknowledgments

Matías Lira acknowledges the support from the Facultad de Economía y Negocios at the Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Economia y Negocios, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile

    Matías Lira

  2. Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, School of Public Affairs, Global Center for Technology Transfer, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Maribel Guerrero

  3. Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Marina Dabić

  4. Department of Economics and Business, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Marina Dabić

  5. School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Marina Dabić

Authors
  1. Matías Lira
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  2. Maribel Guerrero
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  3. Marina Dabić
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maribel Guerrero .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Watts College of Public Service and Community SolutionsSchool of Public AffairsGlobal Center for Technology Transfer, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Maribel Guerrero

  2. Croatia School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana,, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, Department of Economics and Business, University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Marina Dabić

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Lira, M., Guerrero, M., Dabić, M. (2023). An Empirical Approach. In: Guerrero, M., Dabić, M. (eds) Re-Building University Capabilities. Applied Innovation and Technology Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31667-8_10

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