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Assessing Sustainability and Its Performance Implications: An Empirical Analysis in Spanish Public Universities

Author

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  • Natividad Blasco

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Isabel Brusca

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Margarita Labrador

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zaragoza, Gran Vía, 2, 50005 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the literature about sustainability assessment and goes a step further by studying the effect on university performance. The aim is to analyze, from an external perspective, the relationships between the three dimensions of sustainability in universities (environmental, economic, and social), the similarities between universities, and the impact that it can have on performance. In order to carry out an empirical assessment for Spanish public universities, an index is proposed to measure sustainability through indicators for the three dimensions. The results show that there is a positive correlation among the three dimensions, but only the association between the environmental and the economic dimension is statistically significant, which evidences that there is not an integrated perspective of sustainability. Although there are no common patterns among universities, some similarities among them were found. Finally, the paper shows that the entities that integrate sustainability in their plans and activities have a positive impact on performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Natividad Blasco & Isabel Brusca & Margarita Labrador, 2019. "Assessing Sustainability and Its Performance Implications: An Empirical Analysis in Spanish Public Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5302-:d:270865
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sandra Caeiro & Leyla Angélica Sandoval Hamón & Rute Martins & Cecilia Elizabeth Bayas Aldaz, 2020. "Sustainability Assessment and Benchmarking in Higher Education Institutions—A Critical Reflection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-30, January.
    3. Natividad Blasco & Isabel Brusca & Margarita Labrador, 2020. "Drivers for Universities’ Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals: An Analysis of Spanish Public Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Amila Omazic & Bernd Markus Zunk, 2021. "Semi-Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-45, July.
    5. Elena Gori & Alberto Romolini & Silvia Fissi & Marco Contri, 2020. "Toward the Dissemination of Sustainability Issues through Social Media in the Higher Education Sector: Evidence from an Italian Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, June.
    6. Manuel Muñoz-Suárez & Natividad Guadalajara & José M. Osca, 2020. "A Comparative Analysis between Global University Rankings and Environmental Sustainability of Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-19, July.
    7. Marius-Cristian Pană & Mina Fanea-Ivanovici, 2019. "Institutional Arrangements and Overeducation: Challenges for Sustainable Growth. Evidence from the Romanian Labour Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-19, November.

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