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Between Discourse and Practice: Strategic Decision-Making and the Governance of Sustainability in Chilean State Universities

Author

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  • Juan Abello-Romero

    (Departamento de Contabilidad y Auditoría, Facultad de Administración y Economía, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile)

  • Ivette Durán-Seguel

    (Departamento de Economía y Administración, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile)

  • Claudio Mancilla

    (Department of Economics and Business, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno 5290000, Chile)

  • Walter Sáez

    (Facultad de Educación y Humanidades, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, Chile)

  • Katherine Restrepo

    (Escuela de Comercio, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

  • Francisco Ganga-Contreras

    (Facultad de Educación y Humanidades, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000007, Chile)

Abstract

This study explores how the leadership of Chilean state universities integrates sustainability into their strategic decision-making processes. Employing a qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews conducted across nine institutions, it analyzes the perspectives of rectors (equivalent to university presidents in Chilean higher education), vice-rectors, and members of university governing bodies. The findings reveal that although sustainability is present in institutional discourse, its actual implementation remains limited, fragmented, and subordinated to financial imperatives. Contextual constraints, adaptive rationalities, and limited stakeholder engagement shape strategic decisions. Furthermore, institutions often employ sustainability as a rhetorical or compliance-driven narrative rather than as a transformative governance principle. This study frames these findings through stakeholder theory, organizational sustainability, strategic rationality, and information governance. It concludes that embedding sustainability meaningfully in university governance requires institutional transformation—moving beyond symbolic commitments towards inclusive, evidence-driven, and participatory decision-making practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Abello-Romero & Ivette Durán-Seguel & Claudio Mancilla & Walter Sáez & Katherine Restrepo & Francisco Ganga-Contreras, 2025. "Between Discourse and Practice: Strategic Decision-Making and the Governance of Sustainability in Chilean State Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7366-:d:1724638
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Abello-Romero & Claudio Mancilla & Walter Sáez & Francisco Ganga-Contreras & Ivette Durán-Seguel, 2023. "Sustainable Development and Corporate Sustainability of Chilean State Universities: Evidence from Their Strategic Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Nikola Kadoić & Nina Begičević Ređep & Blaženka Divjak, 2018. "A new method for strategic decision-making in higher education," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 26(3), pages 611-628, September.
    3. Mehrnaz Ashrafi & Gregory M. Magnan & Michelle Adams & Tony R. Walker, 2020. "Understanding the Conceptual Evolutionary Path and Theoretical Underpinnings of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Iqbal, Qaisar & Piwowar-Sulej, Katarzyna, 2024. "Technological social responsibility: A stakeholder theory-based measurement scale," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    5. Said Elbanna & John Child, 2007. "The Influence of Decision, Environmental and Firm Characteristics on the Rationality of Strategic Decision‐Making," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(4), pages 561-591, June.
    6. Karina Cecilia Arredondo-Soto & Jean Paul Serrano-Manrrique & Julio Blanco-Fernandez & Guadalupe Hernández-Escobedo & Marco Augusto Miranda-Ackerman & Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz, 2020. "Modeling of the Factors of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Influencing the Strategic Linking Decisions with the Industrial Sector: Whole-Institution Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-24, April.
    7. Juan Abello-Romero & Claudio Mancilla & Katherine Restrepo & Walter Sáez & Ivette Durán-Seguel & Francisco Ganga-Contreras, 2024. "Sustainability Reporting in the University Context—A Review and Analysis of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-17, December.
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