scholarly journals The integration of social responsibility and sustainability in practice: Exploring attitudes and practices in Higher Education Institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 ◽  
pp. 152-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Leal Filho ◽  
Federica Doni ◽  
Valeria Ruiz Vargas ◽  
Tony Wall ◽  
Ann Hindley ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Libena Tetrevova ◽  
Jan Vavra ◽  
Simona Munzarova

Higher education institutions play a fundamental role in the scientific, economic, social, and cultural development of each and every society. In view of new challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of their social responsibility and ability to effectively communicate the socially–responsible activities which are performed is growing. The aim of this article is to analyze and evaluate the scope and structure of socially-responsible activities communicated on the websites of public higher education institutions operating in a small post-communist country where education plays a traditional role—the Czech Republic, and to formulate recommendations for improvement of the level of communication of social responsibility by higher education institutions. Primary data was obtained using latent analysis of the content of the websites of all public higher education institutions operating in the Czech Republic. The CE3SPA method was applied. The survey which was performed shows that the level of communication of social responsibility by higher education institutions in the Czech Republic is low. Activities in the field of economic and social responsibility are communicated in the greatest scope. On the contrary, activities in the field of environmental responsibility are communicated the least. Public higher education institutions in the Czech Republic should therefore apply the measures proposed in the article, these also being transferrable to practice in other countries.


Author(s):  
Zlatko Nedelko ◽  
Vojko Potocan ◽  
Nikša Alfirević

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of personal values for social responsibility (SR) of higher education. Besides the core mission of higher education to create, transfer and preserve knowledge in society, the idea of SR has gained its importance also in institutions of higher education. SR has many drivers, among which personal values are considered as one of the key building blocks for SR. For enhancing SR, higher education institutions should also develop stronger ties with the community. The chapter provides an insight into discussion about community involvement of higher education, into the role of personal values for shaping SR of higher education institutions and explain how personal values can help to enhance community and social involvement of higher education. Findings may be a starting point for re-thinking and/or establishing strategies for achieving higher level of SR in higher education institutions and enhancing the link with the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Angelika M. Pabian

Abstract The evolution in the sector set new tasks for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)*, where — in addition to educational activity — their cooperation with other entities is assumed, which will make it possible to take up contemporary challenges. One of these is University Social Responsibility (USR)*, the popularity of which is growing; however, this area is not sufficiently recognized in the relevant literature. This fact was an important premise for undertaking research to assess the current state of the higher education sector in the context of the implementation of the concept of social responsibility. The purpose of the paper is to show students’ opinions on the implementation of USR by HEIs and their knowledge of SR. The author’s intention is to present the results of her own research. The material obtained in the course of the survey showed that the symptoms of the adaptation of the concept of Social Responsibility (SR)* to HEI management were identified, but the degree of their involvement in this area is insufficient, as is the level of students’ knowledge in the field of SR. The exploratory research referred to in this article is an introduction to a broader scope of research.


Author(s):  
Валентина В. Яценко

The paper discusses the selected aspects related to the issues of developing social responsibility in higher education institutions. Emphasis is placed on the growing role of higher education and its evolution in modern society as a crucial element in enhancing cultural, social, economic and political development in Ukraine and as a solid foundation in building internal capacity, promoting human rights, sustainable development, democracy and justice. The study focuses on the need to adhere to the key provisions of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Higher Education (1998), in particular, to share the idea that “higher education should be viewed as a public service. The funding of higher education requires both public and private resources. The role of the state remains essential in this regard. Public support for higher education and research remains essential to ensure a balanced achievement of educational and social missions. It is argued that the slowdown in economic growth and structural transformations have increased the value of education and its social responsibility to society. The research hypothesis is the statement that social responsibility, academic freedom and autonomy have become the driving forces in increasing the demand for higher education. In this context, it is assumed that universities should maintain a reasonable balance between these components. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the need for information support of the processes of developing social responsibility in higher education institutions within the education services market. To attain the study objectives, the following research methods were employed: expert analysis of the higher education transparency; methods of assessing the key stakeholders’ involvement (students, employers and civil society) in encouraging the University social activities. The findings have identified the challenges and barriers to fostering further academic freedom and institutional autonomy, academic freedom and public-private partnership, boosting academic freedom as an ethical dimension and social responsibility, promoting academic freedom and entrepreneurship. It is argued that education – technological progress complementarity has a number of important implications for the national economic policy. The conclusions verify that the relationships between education, innovation and qualifications is the background for developing social responsibility in universities that contributes to integrating basic education and employment, lifelong learning and maintenance of professional qualifications, promoting innovation and social accountability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Lina Sinatra Wijaya ◽  
Krismiyati Krismiyati

<em>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the promotion techniques done by a Public Relations in higher education institutions to face the tougher competition among the higher education institution in gaining new students. Most higher education institutions in Salatiga try to do some CSR programs to achieve their goal. This study tries to investigate what suitable model of CSR done by higher education institutions in Salatiga-Central Java which is also implemented and the influence of this program to students’ intake in one academic year. Lastly, it tries to propose a CSR modeling for increasing students’ intake at higher education Institution in Salatiga-Central Java. This study employs interview and literature study for data collection. The data are then analyzed qualitatively to answer the posed research questions. This study involved 7 Higher education institutions in Salatiga-Central Java and also 19 High schools which are spread in 7 cities in Central Java. The result of the study shows that the Public Relations unit in each higher education institutions has carried out their CSR program to some of the Schools in Central Java, but lack of coordination done by both parties. However they emphasize their CSR program focusing on community service, high school student activities, scholarships and training. In order to effectively achieve the goal, an intake cycled relations model is proposed.</em>


Author(s):  
Валентина Володимирівна Яценко

The article provides insights into the nature and specifics of social responsibility of higher education institutions in the context of transformational economy. In particular, it is argued that in the frameworks of structural and innovative transformations, technogenic safety as a readiness to be socially responsible, contributes to implementing the idea of integration of philosophical, legal, sociological and pedagogical approaches to enhance the performance of modern higher education institutions. The most critical factors in building social responsibility are the focus on professional responsibility, autonomy of higher education institutions, as well as the compliance with the principle of freedom of choice and responsibility in providing dual education services and applied research. The hypothesis of the study is the statement that in the context of structural and innovative transformations, the gnoseological nature of social responsibility of higher education institutions is embodied in gradual building of a technogenic safety paradigm. The research objective is to explore the specifics of social responsibility of higher education institutions from the perspectives of structural and innovative transformations. To attain the study agenda, the following research methods have been employed: historical analysis – to track successive changes in social responsibility concepts in the area of higher education subject to evolutionary development of society; analysis and synthesis techniques – to reveal the content and structure of a social responsibility framework. The findings demonstrate that a technological background to facilitate successive change in the structure of social responsibility elements is the following chain relationship: goals – knowledge – methods – activities. In this chain, goals are considered as expected professional performance outcomes; knowledge, methods and activities – as the capacity (readiness) of higher education institutions to implement effective professional technologies to attain the best results along with meeting all stakeholders’ demands. The summary concludes that the gnoseological implications in building social responsibility in higher education institutions affect the content of goals and the qualitative variety of tools which rely upon worldview and cultural societal values, as well as moral principles and ethical standards of educational activities.


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