Abstract
Although the concept of sustainable development (SD) was defined in the eighteenth century and pushed to more audiences by the Brundtland Report in 1987, in the literature, the impact of organisations on society and the environment has always been a central issue. Several studies have investigated how firms create value for and with a broad range of stakeholders, not just shareholders and investors. A specific stream of research has focused on higher education institutions (HEIs) due to their key role in promoting the principles of SD in society. However, a strategic framework for interpreting and measuring how HEIs incorporate sustainability to gain a competitive advantage is still lacking. This chapter aims to address these issues by, first, examining how the principles of sustainability have appeared and evolved in the literature, with a specific focus on Italian business studies. Second, this chapter intends to analyse how sustainability has been considered and which tools have been used by the strategic management of HEIs over time to understand whether the meaning of sustainability has evolved concomitantly with the role of HEIs. Third, following a strategic perspective, a conceptual framework for the diagnosis of sustainability integration into the different elements of an HEI’s business model is proposed. From a theoretical point of view, this chapter contributes to increasing the understanding of how to adopt a strategic approach to integrate sustainability into HEIs systematically, whereas from a practical point of view, it helps HEI management, at least potentially, to implement sustainability holistically and assess the sustainability performance of HEIs.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
In Italy, these indicators are called ‘BES’, an acronym summarising the main domains of equitable and sustainable well-being, and were introduced, for the first time, with Law 163/2016 into the process of preparing the State Budget. In particular, they are reported in a special annex to the Economic and Financial Document.
References
Abad-Segura, E., & González-Zamar, M. D. (2021). Sustainable economic development in higher education institutions: A global analysis within the SDGs framework. Journal of Cleaner Production, 294, 126133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126133
Afuah, A., & Tucci, C. (2003). Internet business models and strategies. McGraw Hill.
Aleixo, A. M., Leal, S., & Azeiteiro, U. M. (2018). Conceptualization of sustainable higher education institutions, roles, barriers, and challenges for sustainability: An exploratory study in Portugal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 1664–1673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.010
Amaral, A. R., Rodrigues, E., Rodrigues Gaspar, A., & Gomes, Á. (2020). A review of empirical data of sustainability initiatives in university campus operations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 250, 119558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119558
Andrews, K. R. (1971). The concept of corporate strategy. R. Irwin.
Baldassarre, B., Konietzko, J., Brown, P., Calabretta, G., Bocken, N. M. P., Karpen, I. O., & Hultink, E. J. (2020). Addressing the design-implementation gap of sustainable business models by prototyping: A tool for planning and executing small-scale pilots. Journal of Cleaner Production, 255, 120295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120295
Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108
Bautista-Puig, N., & Sanz-Casado, E. (2021). Sustainability practices in Spanish higher education institutions: An overview of status and implementation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 295, 126320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126320
Bien, C., & Sassen, R. (2020). Sensemaking of a sustainability transition by higher education institution leaders. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120299
Blanco-Portela, N., Benayas, J., Pertierra, L. R., & Lozano, R. (2017). Towards the integration of sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A review of drivers of and barriers to organisational change and their comparison against those found of companies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 166, 563–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.252
Bocken, N. M. P., Short, S., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2013). A value mapping tool for sustainable business modelling. Corporate Governance, 13(5), 482–497. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-06-2013-0078
Bocken, N. M. P., Rana, P., & Short, S. W. (2015). Value mapping for sustainable business thinking. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 32, 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2014.1000399
Boks, C., & Diehl, J. C. (2006). Integration of sustainability in regular courses: Experiences in industrial design engineering. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14, 932–939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.11.038
Breznitz, S. M., & Feldman, M. P. (2012). The engaged university. Journal of Technology Transfer, 37(2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-010-9183-6
Calder, W., & Clugston, R. M. (2003). International efforts to promote higher education for sustainable development. Planning for Higher Education, 31, 30–44.
Cassandro, P. E. (1989). Sul cosiddetto bilancio sociale dell’impresa. Rivista Italiana di Ragioneria e di Economia Aziendale, luglio – agosto.
Ceulemans, K., De Prins, M., Cappuyns, V., & De Coninck, W. (2011). Integration of sustainable development in higher education’s curricula of applied economics: Large-scale assessments, integration strategies and barriers. Journal of Management & Organization, 17(5), 621–640. https://doi.org/10.5172/jmo.2011.17.5.621
Chandler, A. D., Jr. (1962). Strategy and structure: Chapters in the history of the industrial enterprise. The M.I.T. Press.
Chesbrough, H., & Rosenbloom, R. S. (2002). The role of the business model in capturing value from innovation: Evidence from Xerox corporation’s technology spin-off companies. Industrial and Corporate Change, 11(3), 529–555. https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/11.3.529
Coda, V. (1988). L’orientamento strategico dell’impresa. U.T.E.T.
Cortese, A. D. (2003). The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for Higher Education, 31, 15–22.
DaSilva, C. M., & Trkman, P. (2014). Business model: What it is and what it is not. Long Range Planning, 47(6), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2181113
De Hooge, I. E., & van Dam, Y. K. (2019). Reach out and touch: Student training community projects for sustainability – A case study. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 20(7), 1278–1289. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-11-2018-0222
Dlouhá, J., & Pospíšilová, M. (2018). Education for Sustainable Development Goals in public debate: The importance of participatory research in reflecting and supporting the consultation process in developing a vision for Czech education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172(2018), 4314–4327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.145
Dlouhá, J., Henderson, L., Kapitulčinová, D., & Mader, C. (2018). Sustainability-oriented higher education networks: Characteristics and achievements in the context of the UN DESD. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172(2018), 4263–4276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.239
Drahein, A. D., De Lima, E. P., & Da Costa, S. E. G. (2019). Sustainability assessment of the service operations at seven higher education institutions in Brazil. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 527–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.293
Elkington, J. (2018). 25 years ago I coined the phrase “triple bottom line.” Here’s why it’s time to rethink it. Harvard Business Review, 25, 2–5.
Elton, L. (2003). Dissemination of innovations in higher education: A change theory approach. Tertiary Education and Management, 9, 199–214. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024472813449
Etzkowitz, H. (2003). Innovation in innovation: The triple helix of university–industry–government relations. Social Science Information, 42(3), 293–337.
Etzkowitz, H. (2008). The triple helix: University–industry–government innovation in action. Routledge.
Ferraris Franceschi, R. (2002). Etica ed Economicità. Rivista Italiana di Ragioneria e di Economia Aziendale, Maggio – Giugno.
Figueiró, P. S., Mülling Neutzling, D., & Lessa, B. (2022). Education for sustainability in higher education institutions: A multi-perspective proposal with a focus on management education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 339, 130539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130539
Fissi, S., Romolini, A., Gori, E., & Contri, M. (2021). The path toward a sustainable green university: The case of the University of Florence. Journal of Cleaner Production, 279, 123655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123655
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic planning: A stakeholder approach. Pitman Publishing.
Garriga, E., & Melé, D. (2004). Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. Journal of Business Ethics, 53(1–2), 51–71. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000039399.90587.34
Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy–A new sustainability paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757–768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048
Giannessi, E. (1960). Le aziende di produzione originaria (Vol. I). Le aziende agricole, Cursi.
Giovanelli, L., Rotondo, F., & Ezza, A. (2021). Business models for integration of sustainability in universities: An explorative analysis of Italian state universities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 324, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129227
Johnson, M. W., Christensen, C. M., & Kagermann, H. (2008). Reinventing your business model. Harvard Business Review, 86(12), 50–59.
Kapitulčinová, D., Atkisson, A., Perdue, J., & Will, M. (2018). Towards integrated sustainability in higher education – Mapping the use of the Accelerator toolset in all dimensions of university practice. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 4367–4382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.050
Khan, S., & Henderson, C. (2020). How Western Michigan University is approaching its commitment to sustainability through sustainability-focused courses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 253, 119741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119741
Klußmann, C., Sassen, R., & Gansel, E. (2019). Structural key factors of participatory sustainability reporting for universities. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 20(6), 1080–1098. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2018-0139
Leal Filho, W., Shiel, C., Paço, A., Mifsud, M., Veiga Ávila, L., Londero Brandli, L., Molthan-Hill, P., Pace, P., Azeiteiro, U. M., Ruiz Vargas, V., & Caeiro, S. (2019a). Sustainable Development Goals and sustainability teaching at universities: Falling behind or getting ahead of the pack? Journal of Cleaner Production, 232(2019), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.309
Leal Filho, W., Skanavis, C., Kounani, A., Londero Brandli, L., Shiele, C., doPaçof, A., Paceg, P., Mifsudg, M., Beynaghih, A., Pricei, E., Salviad, L. S., Willj, M., & Shulak, K. (2019b). The role of planning in implementing sustainable development in a higher education context. Journal of Cleaner Production, 235, 678–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.322
Leal Filho, W., Will, M., Salvia, A. L., Adomßent, M., Grahl, A., & Spira, F. (2019c). The role of green and Sustainability Offices in fostering sustainability efforts at higher education institutions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 232, 1394–1401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.273
Leal Filho, W., Vargas, V. R., Salvia, A. L., Brandli, L. L., Pallant, E., Klavins, M., Ray, S., Moggi, S., Maruna, M., Conticelli, E., Ayanore, M. A., Radovic, V., Gupta, B., Sen, S., Paço, A., Michalopoulou, E., Saikim, F. H., Koh, H. L., Frankenberger, F., Kanchanamukda, W., da Cunha, D. A., Akib, N. A. M., Clarke, A., Wall, T., & Vaccari, M. (2019d). The role of higher education institutions in sustainability initiatives at the local level. Journal of Cleaner Production, 233, 1004–1015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.059
Leal Filho, W., Wall, T., Salvia, A. L., Frankenberger, F., Hindley, A., Mifsud, M., Brandli, L., & Will, M. (2021). Trends in scientific publishing on sustainability in higher education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 296, 126569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126569
Lee, M. D. P. (2008). A review of the theories of corporate social responsibility: Its evolutionary path and the road ahead. International Journal of Management Reviews, 10(1), 53–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2007.00226.x
León-Fernández, Y., Gomera, A., Antúnez, M., Martínez-Escrich, B., Villamandos, F., & Vaquero, M. (2018). Enhancing environmental management in universities through participation: The case of the University of Córdoba. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 4328–4337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.103
Lin, M.-H., Hu, J., Tseng, M.-L., Chiu, A. S. F., & Lin, C. (2016). Sustainable development in technological and vocational higher education: Balanced scorecard measures with uncertainty. Journal of Cleaner Production, 120, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.054
Linder, J., & Cantrell, S. (2000). Changing business models: Surveying the landscape. Working Paper, Accenture Institute for Strategic Change.
Liu, L., & Gao, L. (2021). Financing university sustainability initiatives in China: Actors and processes. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 22(1), 44–58. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-11-2019-0333
Lozano, R. (2006). Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities: Breaking through barriers to change. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14, 787–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010
Lozano, R. (2010). Diffusion of sustainable development in universities’ curricula: An empirical example from Cardiff University. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18, 637–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.07.005
Lozano, R. (2022). Toward sustainable organisations. A holistic perspective on implementation efforts. Springer Series ‘Strategies for sustainability’. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99676-5
Lozano, R., Lukman, R., Lozano, F. J., Huisingh, D., & Lambrechts, W. (2013). Declarations for sustainability in higher education: Becoming better leaders, through addressing the university system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 48, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.10.006
Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2010). Towards a conceptual framework of ‘business models for sustainability’. In R. Wever, J. Quist, A. Tukker, J. Woudstra, F. Boons, & N. Beute (Eds.), Knowledge collaboration & learning for sustainable innovation, ERSCP-EMSU conference 2010, Delft, The Netherlands.
Madsen, H. L. (2020). Business model innovation and the global ecosystem for sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119102
Magretta, J. (2002). Why business models matter. Harvard Business Review, 80(5), 86–92.
Markides, C. (2006). Disruptive innovation: In need of better theory. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 23(2006), 19–25.
Matacena, A. (1984). Impresa e ambiente: Il bilancio sociale. CLUEB.
Mendoza, J. M. F., Gallego-Schmid, A., & Azapagic, A. (2019). A methodological framework for the implementation of circular economy thinking in higher education institutions: Towards sustainable campus management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226, 831–844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.060
Mintzberg, H. (1987). Crafting strategies. Harvard Business Review, 65, 66–75.
Miolo Vitali, P. (1978). Problemi ecologici nella gestione delle aziende. Giuffré.
Molas-Gallart, J., Salter, A., Patel, P., Scott, A., & Duran, X. (2002). Measuring third stream activities. Final report to the Russell Group of Universities. SPRU, University of Sussex. www.lse.ac.uk/collections/CCPN/pdf/russell_report_thirdStream.pdf, last accessed June 21, 2010.
Montenegro de Lima, C. R., Coelho Soares, T., Andrade de Lima, M., Oliveira Veras, M., & Andrade Guerra, J. B. S. O. d. A. (2020). Sustainability funding in higher education: A literature-based review. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 21(3), 441–464. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-07-2019-0229
Moscardini, A. O., Strachan, R., & Vlasova, T. (2022). The role of universities in modern society. Studies in Higher Education, 47(4), 812–830. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1807493
Nave, A., & Franco, M. (2019). University-Firm cooperation as a way to promote sustainability practices: A sustainable entrepreneurship perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 230, 1188–1196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.195
Normann, R. (2001). Reframing business: When the map changes the landscape. Wiley.
Onida, P. (1951). Il reddito d’esercizio e la politica degli ammortamenti e dei dividendi nei bilanci delle società per azioni. Rivista dei Dottori Commercialisti, 3.
Parvez, N., & Agrawal, A. (2019). Assessment of sustainable development in technical higher education institutes of India. Journal of Cleaner Production, 214, 975–994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.305
Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage. Creating and sustaining superior performance. The Free Press.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2006). Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 77–92.
Ramísio, P. J., Pinto, L. M. C., Gouveia, N., Costa, H., & Arezes, D. (2019). Sustainability strategy in higher education institutions: Lessons learned from a nine-year case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 222, 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.257
Rotondo, F., Giovanelli, L., & Ezza, A. (2023). Implementing sustainable innovation in state universities: Process and tools. Journal of Cleaner Production, 136163, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136163
Rusconi, G. (1988). Il bilancio sociale d’impresa: Problemi e prospettive. Giuffrè.
Salvia, A. L., Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L. L., & Griebeler, J. S. (2019). Assessing research trends related to Sustainable Development Goals: Local and global issues. Journal of Cleaner Production, 208, 841–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.09.242
Sam, C., & van der Sijde, P. (2014). Understanding the concept of the entrepreneurial university from the perspective of higher education models. Higher Education, 68, 891–908. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-014-9750-0
Sánchez-Carracedo, F., Ruiz-Morales, J., Valderrama-Hernández, R., Muñoz-Rodríguez, J. M., & Gomera, A. (2021). Analysis of the presence of sustainability in Higher Education Degrees of the Spanish university system. Studies in Higher Education, 46(2), 300–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1630811
Sanchez-Carrillo, J. C., Cadarso, M. A., & Tobarra, M. A. (2021). Embracing higher education leadership in sustainability: A systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 298, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126675
Schaltegger, S., Freund, F. L., & Hansen, E. G. (2012). Business cases for sustainability: The role of business model innovation for corporate sustainability. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 6(2), 95–119. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJISD.2012.046944
Sepasi, S., Braendle, U., & Rahdari, A. H. (2019). Comprehensive sustainability reporting in higher education institutions. Social Responsibility Journal, 15(2), 155–170. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-01-2018-0009
Shafer, S. M., Smith, H. J., & Linder, J. C. (2005). The power of business models. Business Horizon, 48, 199–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2004.10.014
Spira, F., Tappeser, V., & Meyer, A. (2013). Perspectives on sustainability governance from universities in the USA, UK, and Germany: How do change agents employ different tools to alter organizational cultures and structures? In S. Caeiro, W. Leal Filho, C. Jabbour, & U. Azeiteiro (Eds.), Sustainability assessment tools in higher education institutions. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02375-5_10
Stough, T., Ceulemans, K., Lambrechts, W., & Cappuyns, V. (2018). Assessing sustainability in higher education curricula: A critical reflection on validity issues. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 4456–4466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.017
Superti Furga, F. (1977). Note introduttive al bilancio sociale. Sviluppo e Organizzazione, novembre – dicembre.
Tasdemir, C., & Gazo, R. (2020). Integrating sustainability into higher education curriculum through a transdisciplinary perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 265, 121759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121759
Teece, D. J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 172–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2009.07.003
Tejedor, G., Segalàs, J., & Rosas-Casals, M. (2018). Transdisciplinarity in higher education for sustainability: How discourses are approached in engineering education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175, 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.085
Thiele, L. P. (2016). Sustainability (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Trireksani, T., Zeng, Y., & Djajadikerta, H. G. (2021). Extent of sustainability disclosure by Australian public universities: Inclusive analysis of key reporting media. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 80(4), 830–848. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8500.12469
UNESCO. (2004). UN decade for education for sustainable development (2005–2014). UNESCO.
UNESCO Education Sector. (2017). Education for sustainable development goals. Learning objectives. UNESCO.
Velazquez, L., Munguia, N., & Sanchez, M. (2005). Deterring sustainability in higher education institutions: An appraisal of the factors which influence sustainability in higher education institutions. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 6, 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370510623865
Velazquez, L., Munguia, N., Platt, A., & Taddei, J. (2006). Sustainable university: What can be the matter? Journal of Cleaner Production, 14, 810–819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.008
Verhulst, E., & Lambrechts, W. (2015). Fostering the incorporation of sustainable development in higher education. Lessons learned from a change management perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 189–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.09.049
Vermiglio, F. (a cura di). (2000). Nuovi strumenti di comunicazione aziendale, confronto di esperienze in tema di bilancio sociale. Giappichelli.
Woiwode, H., & Froese, A. (2021). Two hearts beating in a research centers’ chest: How scholars in interdisciplinary research settings cope with monodisciplinary deep structures. Studies in Higher Education, 46(11), 2230–2244. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2020.1716321
Wright, T. (2004). The evolution of sustainability declarations in higher education. In P. B. Corcoran & A. E. J. Wals (Eds.), Higher education and the challenge of sustainability: Problematics, promise, and practice. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Zappa, G. (1950). Il reddito d’impresa. Giuffré.
Acknowledgements
This study was financed by the Fondazione di Sardegna under the grant ‘Bando Fondazione di Sardegna – annualità 2017’.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rotondo, F., Giovanelli, L. (2024). Designing a More Sustainable Higher Education Institution: Studies and Strategies. In: Rotondo, F., Giovanelli, L., Lozano, R. (eds) Sustainability in Higher Education. Strategies for Sustainability. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54026-4_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54026-4_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-54025-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-54026-4
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)