IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i9p3809-d1640746.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

External Resource Dependence and Implementation Efficiency of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): A Hybrid Design Based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Dynamic Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)

Author

Listed:
  • Haoqun Yan

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China)

  • Hongfeng Zhang

    (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China)

Abstract

Based on the urgency of education for sustainable development (ESD), it is crucial to explore ESD implementation efficiency. Since ESD is closely related to social resources, it is necessary to explore which resources can improve ESD implementation efficiency. This study employs dynamic qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to explore the multiple development pathways of external resources supporting the implementation efficiency of ESD in 31 provinces of China from 2017 to 2022. The results indicate that abundant basic resource- (Type I), complementary technology–culture resource- (Type II), and culture–information technology educational resource-driven (Type III) approaches are the main pathways to achieve high ESD execution efficiency. A key contribution of this study is its emphasis on the role of modern information technology in ESD. The insights garnered from this study can guide educators in leveraging information resources effectively to optimize ESD outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoqun Yan & Hongfeng Zhang, 2025. "External Resource Dependence and Implementation Efficiency of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): A Hybrid Design Based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Dynamic Qualitative Comparative ," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:3809-:d:1640746
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/9/3809/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/9/3809/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. William W. Cooper & Lawrence M. Seiford & Joe Zhu (ed.), 2011. "Handbook on Data Envelopment Analysis," International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Springer, number 978-1-4419-6151-8, December.
    2. Bilgen, Selçuk & Sarıkaya, İkbal, 2015. "Exergy for environment, ecology and sustainable development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1115-1131.
    3. John Bailey Jones & Yue Li, 2023. "Social Security Reform with Heterogeneous Mortality," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 48, pages 320-344, April.
    4. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, November.
    5. José Juan Carrión-Martínez & Antonio Luque-de la Rosa & José Fernández-Cerero & Marta Montenegro-Rueda, 2020. "Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in Education for Sustainable Development: A Bibliographic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Chao Li & Hong Zhou, 2018. "Enhancing the Efficiency of Massive Online Learning by Integrating Intelligent Analysis into MOOCs with an Application to Education of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Glomm, Gerhard & Kaganovich, Michael, 2008. "Social security, public education and the growth-inequality relationship," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 1009-1034, August.
    8. Hu, Nan & Zheng, Bing, 2023. "Natural resources, education, and green economic development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    9. Afrodita Borma, 2023. "The Covid-19 Pandemic. Controversies And Measures Proposed To Reduce The Impact Of Future Pandemics," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 19-25, March.
    10. Mohammed Abdullatif Almulla & Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi, 2023. "Integrated Social Cognitive Theory with Learning Input Factors: The Effects of Problem-Solving Skills and Critical Thinking Skills on Learning Performance Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-26, February.
    11. Francesca Nocca, 2017. "The Role of Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Development: Multidimensional Indicators as Decision-Making Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-28, October.
    12. Anti Partey, Peter & Annim, Samuel K. & Yidana, Mumuni Baba & Sebu, Joshua, 2024. "Estimating the extent of educational resource deprivation among basic schools and its effect on quality education in Ghana," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    13. Tone, Kaoru, 2001. "A slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(3), pages 498-509, May.
    14. John Bailey Jones & Yue Li, 2023. "Social Security Reform with Heterogeneous Mortality," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 48, pages 320-344, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yulin Lu & Chengyu Li & Min-Jae Lee, 2023. "A Study on the Measurement and Influences of Energy Green Efficiency: Based on Panel Data from 30 Provinces in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Chen, Kuan-Chen & Lin, Sun-Yuan & Yu, Ming-Miin, 2022. "Exploring the efficiency of hospital and pharmacy utilizations in Taiwan: An application of dynamic network data envelopment analysis," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Mehdiloo, Mahmood & Podinovski, Victor V., 2019. "Selective strong and weak disposability in efficiency analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(3), pages 1154-1169.
    4. Delalibera, Bruno Ricardo & Ferreira, Pedro Cavalcanti & Parente, Rafael Machado, 2023. "Social security reforms, retirement and sectoral decisions," FGV EPGE Economics Working Papers (Ensaios Economicos da EPGE) 838, EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance - FGV EPGE (Brazil).
    5. van der Vaart, J & Groneck, M & van Ooijen, R, 2024. "Health Inequalities and the Progressivity of Old-Age Social Insurance Programs," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 24/20, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    6. Imanirad, Raha & Cook, Wade D. & Aviles-Sacoto, Sonia Valeria & Zhu, Joe, 2015. "Partial input to output impacts in DEA: The case of DMU-specific impacts," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 244(3), pages 837-844.
    7. Loske, Dominic & Klumpp, Matthias, 2021. "Human-AI collaboration in route planning: An empirical efficiency-based analysis in retail logistics," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    8. Nguyen Thi Kim Lien & Luyen Le Anh, 2024. "Adopting SBM-Max and Super SBM-Max to Evaluate the Efficiency of Freight Transportation Arrangement Providers: A Study in Vietnam," LOGI – Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 73-84.
    9. Svetlana Pashchenko & Ponpoje Porapakkarm, 2024. "Accounting For Social Security Claiming Behavior," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 65(1), pages 505-545, February.
    10. Kounetas, Konstantinos & Zervopoulos, Panagiotis D., 2019. "A cross-country evaluation of environmental performance: Is there a convergence-divergence pattern in technology gaps?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 273(3), pages 1136-1148.
    11. Liu, John S. & Lu, Louis Y.Y. & Lu, Wen-Min & Lin, Bruce J.Y., 2013. "A survey of DEA applications," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 41(5), pages 893-902.
    12. Anyu Yu & Guangshe Jia & Jianxin You & Puwei Zhang, 2018. "Estimation of PM 2.5 Concentration Efficiency and Potential Public Mortality Reduction in Urban China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, March.
    13. Bojiang Yang & Youliang Zhang & Hongjun Zhang & Rui Zhang & Baoyu Xu, 2016. "Factor-specific Malmquist productivity index based on common weights DEA," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 51-70, April.
    14. Wei Dong & Tao Wang, 2022. "Research on efficiency measurement of information industry chain integration based on multiple structures and its application in carbon management industrial park [Measuring efficiency in the hotel," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 17, pages 421-429.
    15. Jessica Suarez Campoli & Tatiana Kimura Kodama & Marcelo Seido Nagano & Heloisa Lee Burnquist, 2025. "Advancing Circular Economy: G20 Nations’ Path Towards 12th Sustainable Development Goal," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-24, February.
    16. Rácz, Viktor J. & Vestergaard, Niels, 2016. "Productivity and efficiency measurement of the Danish centralized biogas power sector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 397-404.
    17. Pashchenko, Svetlana & Porapakkarm, Ponpoje & Jang, Youngsoo, 2023. "Mortality Regressivity and Pension Design," MPRA Paper 117936, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Salvatore Loprevite & Domenico Raucci & Daniela Rupo, 2020. "KPIs Reporting and Financial Performance in the Transition to Mandatory Disclosure: The Case of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, June.
    19. Zhao, Ting & Yang, Zhenshan, 2017. "Towards green growth and management: Relative efficiency and gaps of Chinese cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 481-494.
    20. Lipeng Chen & Yang Yu & Amsalu K. Addis & Xiao Guo, 2022. "Empirical Assessment and Comparison of Educational Efficiency between Major Countries across the World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:3809-:d:1640746. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.