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Sustainable development practices in public higher education: A new conceptual framework for nurturing student satisfaction and reinforcing attractiveness to international students

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  • Eugénia Pedro
  • Helena Alves
  • João Leitão

Abstract

Using a multi‐layer review based on stakeholder, institutional and legitimacy theories, the current study presents and empirically analyses a novel conceptual framework addressing the relationship between sustainable development practices, internationalization and students' satisfaction in public higher education institutions. Based on participants' self‐perception, a questionnaire was distributed to 738 students at seven Portuguese public higher education institutions. Structural equation modeling was utilized to estimate the multivariate causal relationships. The evidence shows that SDP are positively, directly, and significantly related to internationalization and students' satisfaction. Students' satisfaction is directly and significantly associated with internationalization, also revealing a moderating effect on the relationship between sustainable development practices and internationalization. To achieve legitimacy among their stakeholders, public higher education institutions must build an institutional commitment to sustainability by adopting and disseminating sustainable development practices with actions on a livable campus.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugénia Pedro & Helena Alves & João Leitão, 2024. "Sustainable development practices in public higher education: A new conceptual framework for nurturing student satisfaction and reinforcing attractiveness to international students," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2565-2582, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:3:p:2565-2582
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2798
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