Assessment of sustainable recycling at The University of Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1111-1129
Author(s):  
Shadi Moqbel ◽  
Rund Abu-Zurayk ◽  
Ayat Bozeya ◽  
Raed Alsisan ◽  
Abeer Al Bawab
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Jordan ◽  
Barriers And Challenges ◽  
Sustainability Program ◽  
The University

Purpose This study sought to assess the process of initiating a sustainable recycling program at the University of Jordan. It illustrates the potentials of recycling, perceived awareness of recycling by the students and staff, as well as challenges to a sustainable waste recycling program. This study aims to identify the barriers and challenges that face a sustainable waste recycling program at the University of Jordan. Design/methodology/approach The study consisted of investigating waste recycling potential on campus, inspecting general environmental awareness toward recycling and running an experimental recycling study on part of the campus. A waste characterization study was conducted to assess the current waste status and recycling extent. A questionnaire survey was carried out to obtain information on the students’ and staffs’ awareness of waste recycling and management on campus. In the experimental recycling study, seventy units of waste segregation bins were distributed on campus. The recycling efficiency was evaluated at two schools; the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine. The administrative support and collaboration while running the recycling program were also observed. Findings Overall, waste recycling at the University of Jordan has an appreciable opportunity and potential. A substantial amount of waste can be diverted from going to the landfill. Data showed general positive recycling rates except for plastic. Also, the recycling rates show great potential for enhancing. The recycling at the University of Jordan faces several barriers and obstacles. The greatest barrier was identified as the lack of cooperation of the administrative system on campus. The administrative support for the recycling program was strong only at the initiation of the recycling program. Administrative support has a vital influence on the recycling program. It has the potential of boosting it or bringing it to halt. Future studies should focus on investigating recycling efficiency for the entire campus and focus more on increasing pro-environmental behavior among students and staff in higher education institutions. Originality/value The value of this research lies in it being conducted in a large campus university in a developing country. Also, the study used a diagnostic approach that is based on evaluating an environmental sustainability program as it evolves inside a higher education institution. The study illustrates the challenges that face universities in developing countries while adopting green campus initiatives.

Assessing the role of college as a sustainability communication channel

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1060-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa P. Lertpratchya ◽  
John C. Besley ◽  
Adam Zwickle ◽  
Bruno Takahashi ◽  
Cameron Thomas Whitley
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of higher education institution as a sustainability communication channel. The theory of planned behavior was used to examine the degree to which a student’s tenure at a large university with active and visible sustainability initiatives is associated with changes in views about sustainability and changes in reported sustainability behaviors. Design/methodology/approach This study involved a campus-wide online survey on undergraduate students at a large mid-western university. A direct measurement approach to the theory of planned behavior was used to measure changes in attitudes, normative beliefs, perceived behavioral controls and self-reported behaviors on five different environmental sustainability behaviors. Findings Overall findings support the notion that higher education institutions can be effective communication channels for sustainability issues, as students who have been in college for a longer period of time reported somewhat more positive attitudes, normative and efficacy beliefs and more sustainable behaviors. Practical implications By measuring specific components of the theory of planned behavior, this study provides insights on specific areas in which campaigns targeting college students in different college years could become more effective. Originality/value Few studies have assessed college as an effective sustainability communication channel despite the fact that it is potentially a powerful channel to reach a large population at their critical age. This study also measures specific components to sustainability behaviors by using the theory of planned behavior as a guiding framework.

Success factors in university sport partnerships: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário Franco ◽  
Heiko Haase
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education ◽  
The University

Purpose From a resource-based perspective, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the key success factors underlying inter-organisational partnerships in the university sport sector. Design/methodology/approach To attain this objective, the paper uses a qualitative approach, performing an exploratory case study in a Portuguese higher education institution. Four interviews with key informants and documentary analysis served for data collection. Findings Based on the case evidence, five generic success factors emerged: relationships, partner selection, complementarity, sporting performance and organisation, which are likely to determine the success of partnerships in the field of university sport. Practical implications University sport managers and other actors in the field should bear the major success factors in mind when taking strategic decisions. Specifically, relational capital and the complementarity of resources seem to be important in initiating and managing sport partnerships. Originality/value This exploratory study contributes to advancing knowledge of inter-organisational partnerships in a particular area: sport in higher education. More precisely, this research outlines which success factors are relevant in sport partnerships and deserve further investigation with other research designs.

The perfect storm in the midst of a pandemic: the use of information within an institution's concurrent crises

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek R Slagle ◽  
J.J. McIntyre ◽  
April Chatham-Carpenter ◽  
Heather Ann Reed
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Communication Theory ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Case Study ◽  
Institutional Communication ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
The University

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the types of information that were shared by the institution, and faculty/staff responses to the information shared, with the goal of providing recommendations for other institutions facing concurrent crises.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed-methods case study examines a public university's experiences managing the Covid-19 pandemic crisis while simultaneously navigating financial challenges that had been building over time. Using data from university-wide mediated communications and a survey of on-campus stakeholders during the Covid-19 pandemic and university retrenchment process, this paper explores institutional communication, stakeholder response to organizational communication and faculty/staff reactions to information in the midst of concurrent crises.FindingsThe study found that the university used instructing and advising information within its messages from its top administrator but fell short of incorporating empathy for its stakeholders in its initial responses.Research limitations/implicationsUsing the situational crisis communication theory (Coombs, 2019), which recommends the use of an ethical base response to crises, implications are provided for other organizations facing concurrent crises during the Covid-19 pandemic, to also incorporate empathy in their messages to stakeholders whose livelihoods are being affected, across multiple platforms.Originality/valueWeathering the Covid-19 pandemic and long-term financial pitfalls have proven to be a disruptive phenomenon for higher education institutions. This research expands understanding of institutional communication and stakeholder reactions in a higher education institution facing both the Covid-19 crisis and a retrenchment.Peer reviewThe peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-09-2020-0415.

Individual-level characteristics of environmental sustainability among students in a higher education institution: the role of happiness and academic performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Biagio F. Giannetti ◽  
Luis Velazquez ◽  
Krystal M. Perkins ◽  
Marisela Trillas-Ortiz ◽  
Carlos Anaya-Eredias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Lifestyle ◽  
Sustainable Universities

Purpose Students play an unequivocal role in sustainable universities as they are theorized to embody the mission of a sustainable university through a sustainable lifestyle and spread sustainability practices during their professional careers. Despite this, it is not well known how or why students come to embody a sustainable lifestyle. This study aims to better understand the relationship between happiness, academic achievement and sustainability behaviors among the student population in a Mexican higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach In a questionnaire study, engineering and psychology university students at a large public university in northwestern Mexico answered questions regarding their environmental sustainability behaviors, happiness and academic performance. A stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the sample population that best represents the entire population. After chi-square tests, it was confirmed that the three variables were independent of one another. Therefore, a series of correspondence analyses were conducted to examine clusters or patterns that could indicate relationships among the three variables. Findings The main finding from this work was that the happiest and most academically astute participants were only slightly environmentally sustainable or not sustainable at all. The lack of environmental sustainability in students from one of the most top-rank sustainable universities in Mexico does not align with previous sustainability reports. External factors to the university, such as cultural values and extreme weather conditions, may have influenced students’ sustainability behaviors. Research limitations/implications As with any other questionnaire study, the provided data is subject to interpretation, judgment and bias. In addition, the environmental and happiness index used in this study are not free of criticizing, and some author had disputed its efficacy. Finally, this study’s findings did not determine any causality or directionality between any of the latent variables. However, causality and directionally between environmental sustainability-happiness and happiness-academic performance have to be found in both directions. Practical implications Despite the unsustainability of students in this study, this study has several contributions. First, it provides an evaluation of a sustainable university from the perspectives and behaviors of students. The views of students as they relate to the complexities and visions of a sustainable university have remained relatively underexamined. Second, these analyses point to specific sustainability-oriented challenges and inadvertent barriers (e.g. extreme weather patterns) toward the embodiment of a sustainable lifestyle. These challenges and barriers suggest that sustainable universities need to address the dynamic changes inherent in sustainable development. Finally, this study indicates that the link between happiness, academic performance and sustainability may be more complicated and driven by cultural and structural barriers. The issue of barriers, as they relate to sustainability behaviors, is highly relevant and presents important opportunities and questions for future research. Originality/value This study provides an evaluation of a sustainable university from the perspectives and behaviors of students. Students’ views as they relate to the complexities and visions of a sustainable university have remained relatively underexamined. Second, these analyses point to specific sustainability-oriented challenges and barriers as they relate to the embodiment of a sustainable lifestyle. These challenges and barriers suggest that sustainable universities need to address the dynamic changes inherent in sustainable development. Finally, this study indicates that the link between happiness, academic performance and sustainability may be more complicated and driven by cultural and structural barriers.

A theoretical framework for managing intellectual capital in higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 919-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Iacoviello ◽  
Elena Bruno ◽  
Antonella Cappiello
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Pilot Model ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify, through the preparation of a theoretical framework, the drivers able to highlight the relationships between universities and stakeholders in the area of higher education. It also intends to stress the importance of intellectual capital (IC) regarding its contribution to create the quality of higher education. Design/methodology/approach The method, through the repetition of different “rounds” of interviews with questionnaires, tends therefore to create situations of comparison, verification and discussion of the different hypotheses prefigured, and then come to a convergence of both scenarios and dates of realization. Findings The paper provides a system of indicators for assessing the quality of relationships between stakeholders in the key processes of the universities. Research limitations/implications The paper provides a pilot model that needs further adjustments in itinere, based on rigorous empirical tests conducted to confer on it the characteristics of universal applicability within the university context. Practical implications The major contribution of the model is evident from the resulting interpretative process, which makes it possible to deduce, from the performance indicators, the strategies put in place by the university to achieve their goals, that is, to prepare any interventions for the optimization of the management of IC which can create the quality of higher education institution. Originality/value None of the models presented in the literature details the quality of the relationship between stakeholders in the key processes of the universities and therefore neither investigates the impact produced by them on the performance of the university nor on the way stakeholders perceive the usefulness of the knowledge transmitted or the level of customer satisfaction achieved, as indeed the most recent research on the subject envisages.

Social media for environmental sustainability awareness in higher education

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suraya Hamid ◽  
Mohamad Taha Ijab ◽  
Hidayah Sulaiman ◽  
Rina Md. Anwar ◽  
Azah Anir Norman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Keyword Search ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
University Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The University

Purpose The explosion of social media use such as Facebook among higher education students is deemed to have great potential in widely disseminating environmental sustainability awareness. The paper aims to capture, summarise, synthesise and comment on the role of social media to garner interest of students and staff on environmental sustainability issues. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review technique is adopted, and three selected online databases were searched for relevant papers for review. Specific data were extracted from each paper, and the discussion section was based on the developed research questions. Findings Higher education needs to fully leverage the ubiquity of social media to extend how environmental sustainability is viewed by the students and staff. Sustainability practices conducted at the university level such as recycling, reduction of electricity and water consumptions and paper reduction in classroom and used to engage students on environmental matters. For staff, social media can be leveraged as to convey the university policy and assist in their quest to become full-fledged green universities. Research limitations/implications Some of the limitations of this research include the lack of keyword search using synonyms or related terms equivalent to the term “awareness”, lack of forward and backward searches, and the papers were searched until end of 2013 only. Future research needs to take advantage of the current limitations to investigate this topic and be empirically supported by theories using quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method-based research. Future studies could also develop relevant frameworks to propose an effective use of social media for creating environmental sustainability awareness in higher education. Practical implications Propagations of environmental sustainability awareness in higher education would be more effective with the use of social media. Social implications In principle, the increase of environmental awareness level would increase the students’ good behavioural conduct on environmental sustainability. Originality/value While the broad topic of environmental sustainability in higher education is widely discussed, the role of social media in shaping environmental sustainability awareness is still under researched. This situation provides a significant potential for exploration by sustainability researchers to craft their investigation on the effective role of social media in creating environmental awareness in higher education.

scholarly journals Rethinking competition-based entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayleigh Watson ◽  
Pauric McGowan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Business Plan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Model ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus with the university-based business plan competition (BPC) and proposes how the theory of effectuation might inform a new model. Such a purpose is timely given the under-challenged nature of the BPC methodology. Design/methodology/approach Extant literature pertaining to business planning and the business plan within entrepreneurship education and effectuation is reviewed; numerous conceptual issues which undermine BPC provision in its traditional form are then identified. In response to these identified issues, a series of principles which could underpin the introduction of an effectuation-led business coopetition (EBC) are outlined. Findings Strong emphasis on business plan production within a conventional BPC model raises questions about its capacity to release the entrepreneurial potential of the higher education institution student and provide them with an authentic and relevant entrepreneurial learning experience. Through using the ideas of effectuation to rethink provision, the action of business plan production can usefully be replaced with the action of business implementation. As well as facilitate a beneficial shift from competition to coopetition-based entrepreneurship education. Originality/value This paper valuably critiques the efficacy of a commonly employed yet under-challenged methodology for entrepreneurship education; the BPC. The propositions offered can guide competition provision in a more authentic, realistic and relevant way that is potentially better suited to inspiring and supporting entrepreneurial new venturing amongst students and graduates now rather than in the future. The paper thus has practical value to those designing and delivering competition-based entrepreneurship education.

Ensuring access to theses in the Arab speaking world – University of Jordan initiatives

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 308-322
Author(s):  
Dina Tbaishat
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Computer Applications ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Activity Diagram ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Of Jordan ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to examine some of the digitization projects at the library of the University of Jordan. As the library acts as the deposit centre for theses from the Arab world universities, an effective management policy for deposit, management and access is required. The paper illustrates some of the existing workflows and considers the challenges and possible improvements. Design/methodology/approach Interviews (n = 8) with library staff in the Information Division provided details about the methods used for the collection and management of print and electronic theses in the University of Jordan, in addition to some digitization projects. In addition, very recent unpublished brochure was collected from one member of staff in the computer applications and databases section to learn about theses deposit statistics from various countries in the Arab world. A business process modelling technique (Riva) (Ould, 2005) using role activity diagram illustrated some of the existing workflows, the challenges and possible improvements. Findings Some Arab universities do not send theses on regular basis; some do not collaborate at all. Workflows vary according to the format of the thesis. The number of digitized print theses has reached 77,885 titles, out of total of 84,043, but it is a slow process. All newly submitted theses from Jordanian universities come in print and on a CD, but other external institutions may use different methods (CD only by mail, or direct uploading to the webpage provided by the University of Jordan). The current online system for uploading theses was last updated in 2017. Deposit rates through the system are very low. Access to theses is relatively limited; print theses can be accessed within the library premises. The online theses repository provides full text and all academic staff; students and researchers can access these from any workstation within the university campus. Only registered users may access theses databases (read only) outside the network. Resourcing for digitization is limited, and the digitization itself is currently outsourced although other processes are done in-house. Practical implications The paper encourages the use of a practical online theses’ repository to deposit theses from the higher education within the Arab world. Social implications Establishing theses repository and ensuring proper and smooth deposit process by Arab universities libraries, would enhance communication and collaboration amongst them. Originality/value The paper supports the theme of the primacy of global access to information for learning and scholarship. The paper adds value in the context of theses access amongst Arab universities. As the library acts as the deposit centre for theses from the Arab world universities, an effective management policy for deposit, management, access and preservation is required. The paper provides a set of recommendations that would contribute to raise the visibility of research produced by Arab higher education, through a single source of access to theses.

Circular economy, sustainability and teacher training in a higher education institution

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1351-1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anxela Bugallo-Rodríguez ◽  
Pedro Vega-Marcote
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
The University

Purpose Higher education institutions have a valuable dual role in disseminating the circular economy (CE) as a new sustainability paradigm. First, the university teaches students about this subject. Second, it prepares future teachers to incorporate sustainability into other educational levels. This paper aims to present the results of implementing a set of activities designed to improve the attitudes and actions of students to reduce their daily impact on campus and to be active agents for change to the CE. Design/methodology/approach The participants were students enrolled for the Degree in Primary Education at the University of Corunna. Following a qualitative approach, students’ proposals were analyzed using the key indicators identified by the European Commission to measure progress toward the CE. Findings The results demonstrate that these activities make students reflect and act on their daily impact. They propose and develop diverse solutions on campus, such as increased paper-, water- and energy-saving activities and discover the benefits of teaching for action. However, the indicators show that they do not apply the three principles of the CE in a balanced way. Research limitations/implications An improvement should analyze the same students in the following year to verify progress. Originality/value This experience with preservice teachers may help to extend the values and knowledge associated with integral sustainability and provide CE solutions on campus and in schools throughout the country.

Benchmarking presidents’ compensations in institutions of higher education relative to sustainability and other institutional practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1500-1521
Author(s):  
Niranjan Pati ◽  
Jooh Lee
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Institutional Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Control ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
The University

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic effects of academic institutional factors including environmental, social, and economic sustainability indices on the compensation of the president of an institution of higher education (IHE). The objective is to build relationships among variables to benchmark compensation measures for IHE presidents across US universities to proliferate sustainability initiatives. Some of the variables of the study were environmental sustainability, social sustainability, cost efficiency as a measure of economic sustainability, tenure, institutional control of the university such as public or private fundraising reputation, endowment and professor’s salary. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 236 universities have been included in the study. The data for various dependent variables were studied to see the relationship between the independent and select dependent variables. The OLS regression approach was used to ascertain the relationships between the president’s salary, and a selected set of independent variables that includes the measures of sustainability. Findings – The key findings of this study is that variables such as environmental sustainability, tenure, classification, endowment, and professor salary were significantly and positively associated with the IHE president’s salary. Research limitations/implications – The current study is limited to the IHEs within the USA. Thus, the study cannot be generalized or extrapolated to other countries or contexts or cultures. Practical implications – The results of the study show that the trustees rarely use proliferation of sustainability as a criterion to compensate IHE presidents. The study concludes with the plea to trustees to benchmark sustainability across IHEs in evaluating and compensating IHE presidents. Originality/value – This paper extends the compensation study of IHE presidents to include environment, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. These variables are important in this age where IHEs have been challenged to do more to make our planet sustainable.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document