An exploratory study of sustainable development at Italian universities

被引:45
作者
Vagnoni, Emidia [1 ]
Cavicchi, Caterina [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Ferrara, Dept Econ & Management, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy
关键词
Italy; Reporting; University; Sustainability; Deming Cycle; Plan-Do-Check-Act; EDUCATION;
D O I
10.1108/IJSHE-03-2013-0028
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
Purpose - This paper aims to outline the current status of the implementation of sustainability practices in the context of Italian public universities, highlighting the strengths and gaps. Design/methodology/approach - Based on a qualitative approach, an exploratory study design has been outlined using the model of Glavic. and Lukman (2007) focusing on the Deming Cycle. The Plan-Do-Check-Act components of the model were used as a framework for collecting and analyzing data from the official Web sites and other related Web pages of Italian universities. Findings - The results of this exploratory study allow one to depict a university system addressing the challenge posed by international agendas in a fragmented way, even if many universities are showing a strong commitment to the sustainability challenge. Sustainability is mainly detected at the "Do" dimension, when referring to training programs and research projects associated to the sustainability issue. Research limitations/implications - Limitations of the data collection method are addressed when the timeliness of update of Web sources and the different emphases that universities can put on Internet disclosure are considered. However, the study contributes to the debate on sustainability by providing findings at a national level, which were derived from the official Web sites of Italian public universities. Furthermore, the study could have implications for policy makers and universities' decision makers. Practical implications - The study points out the importance of managing the sustainability process in all its phases (planning, activities, monitoring, further actions), and highlights the elements that are relevant for measuring and monitoring the process of implementation of sustainability in the specific context of higher education. Social implications - The paper can contribute to increase the academics' awareness of the sustainability actions, and stimulate them to fill the gaps. Originality/value - This study explores sustainability issue in the Italian university system, and it is based on a Web-based method of data collection, whereas other contributions are based on case studies.
引用
收藏
页码:217 / 236
页数:20
相关论文
共 47 条
  • [1] Abd-Razak M.Zulhanif., 2011, Journal of Sustainable Development, V4, P210, DOI [10.5539/jsd.v4n4p210, DOI 10.5539/JSD.V4N4P210]
  • [2] Adams C. A., 2004, DEV CORPORATE WEBSIT, P58
  • [3] Beringer A., 2007, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, V8, P446, DOI 10.1108/14676370710823609
  • [4] Bryman A., 2011, Reliability and validity in qualitative research
  • [5] Teacher's manual and method for SD integration in curricula
    Ceulemans, K.
    De Prins, M.
    [J]. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 2010, 18 (07) : 645 - 651
  • [6] Corcoran P.B., 2004, Environmental Education Research, V10, P7, DOI [10.1080/1350462032000173670, DOI 10.1080/1350462032000173670]
  • [7] Creighton S.H., 1998, GREENING IVORY TOWER
  • [8] Duderstad J. J., 2011, GILION C SERIES, V8, P119
  • [9] Sustainability in action: Identifying and measuring the key performance drivers
    Epstein, MJ
    Roy, MJ
    [J]. LONG RANGE PLANNING, 2001, 34 (05) : 585 - 604
  • [10] European Commission, 2009, GEAR EUR RES SUST RD