Abstract
This paper aims to propose a conceptual model that synthesizes the existing findings concerning universities as culture change agents for sustainable development. The model could serve as a guidance on how universities might get involved in the pro-SD activities. It also underlines the prerequisite of the quality culture that should be introduced within all the activities of universities to successfully act as culture change agents for SD. This paper builds upon the holistic and inter-disciplinary approach to demonstrate that SD does not happen in isolation and that the role of universities in its creation is significant. This study includes a literature review to contextualize the impact of universities on culture and their potential role in SD. The conclusions stemming from the literature review materialize in the proposal of the conceptual model of the university as the culture change agent for SD. The elaborated framework responds to the need for greater clarity, ordering and systematization of the role of universities in the processes of initiating, promoting and modelling the SD-oriented changes while appreciating the role of culture as an enabler, means of social change and a result of SD-focused interventions. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a novel perspective on the assumed interrelations between university, its quality culture, university main operations such as education, research and engagement with the society as well as the culture and the agency of stakeholders in the context of meeting the world’s current demands without compromising the needs of future generations.
Highlights
IntroductionUniversities have the potential to foster sustainable development [1]
Universities have the potential to foster sustainable development [1]. Given their primary function as the incubators of knowledge, research leaders and the partners to the social and business world that surrounds them, they play an important role in the creation of the society culture: peoples’ core assumptions, values, beliefs and artefacts that translate into actions which lead to particular effects and may positively or negatively relate to the creation of sustainable development
They play an important role in the creation of the society culture: peoples’ core assumptions, values, beliefs and artefacts that translate into agency
Summary
Universities have the potential to foster sustainable development [1]. Findler et al [11] systematically reviewed the existing literature on impacts of higher education institutions (HEIs) on SD. They concluded their analysis indicating a need for a holistic perspective that considers the impacts of HEIs on SD. The majority of research concerning universities and SD do not focus on the culture factor history has shown that culture plays a significant role in fostering and maintaining sustainability [17] and universities are the institutions that impact the culture of the societies.
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