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Organizational Change Management for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review

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  • Nicola Andreij Rieg

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Birgitta Gatersleben

    (School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Ian Christie

    (Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have been urged to integrate sustainability across all their structural and organizational dimensions. A promising area of research and practice that can help to deliver this is organizational change management for sustainability. While this field has received increasing attention over the past decade, a comprehensive assessment is still lacking. Therefore, a systematic quantitative review was carried out to summarize and synthesize the academic literature on organizational change management approaches that aim to holistically embed sustainability in HEIs. Furthermore, this review aims to illustrate what change factors have been observed and how they have been analyzed, and from this highlight implications for practice and pathways for future research. The literature reviewed puts strong emphasis on change processes and human factors, as well as elements of the institutional framework, such as vision and strategy. The findings highlight the value of strategic and reflective actions, the importance of understanding and actively shaping change processes, and that change towards sustainability requires broad stakeholder input and commitment. This review serves as an important reference point for future research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2021. "Organizational Change Management for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:7299-:d:585087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Cadiz Dyball & Andy F. Wang & Sue Wright, 2015. "(Dis)engaging with sustainability: evidence from an Australian business faculty," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(1), pages 69-101, January.
    2. Edwin E. Akins & Elizabeth Giddens & David Glassmeyer & Amy Gruss & Maria Kalamas Hedden & Vanessa Slinger-Friedman & Matthew Weand, 2019. "Sustainability Education and Organizational Change: A Critical Case Study of Barriers and Change Drivers at a Higher Education Institution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, January.
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    5. Bankole Osita Awuzie & Amal Abuzeinab, 2019. "Modelling Organisational Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Implementation Performance in Higher Education Institutions: An Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Rodrigo Lozano, 2013. "Are Companies Planning their Organisational Changes for Corporate Sustainability? An Analysis of Three Case Studies on Resistance to Change and their Strategies to Overcome it," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(5), pages 275-295, September.
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    8. David Conner & Amanda Falkner & Nathan Lantieri & Betsy McGavisk & Bridgette McShea, 2018. "Stakeholder Perceptions of Campus Sustainability Efforts: Lessons from Vermont," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, October.
    9. Norka Blanco-Portela & Luis R-Pertierra & Javier Benayas & Rodrigo Lozano, 2018. "Sustainability Leaders’ Perceptions on the Drivers for and the Barriers to the Integration of Sustainability in Latin American Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Łukasz Sułkowski & Katarzyna Kolasińska-Morawska & Robert Seliga & Piotr Buła & Paweł Morawski, 2021. "Sustainability Culture of Polish Universities in Professionalization of Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2023. "Driving Change towards Sustainability in Public Bodies and Civil Society Organisations: Expert Interviews with UK Practitioners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.

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