Sustainability and the Australian international higher education industry: towards a multidimensional model

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore how the Australian Government represented issues of sustainability in Australian international higher education (IHE) policies and how it framed efforts to foster enhanced strategies for sustainable development of IHE. This research calls for a change from one-dimensional economic sustainability to a more multi-dimensional conception of sustainability, including emphasizing the role of the political sphere in issues of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses discourse analysis of policy documents, specifically Bacchi’s (2009) “what is the problem represented to be” approach, to explore the problematization behind selected government policies related to IHE in Australia. Findings This research identified existing challenges and factors that have affected the sustainability of Australian IHE and examined how the Australian Government constructed this issue. In light of this approach, a theoretical model is proposed from internal resource analysis and external industry and foreign market structure analysis to help foster more sustainable development of IHE. Research limitations/implications This study is based on policy document analysis. Consequently, future empirical research is needed to examine the impact of these policies and further substantiate the findings of this study. Practical implications This paper proposes a theoretical model for strategy making that helps gain and maintain sustainable competitive advantage in IHE from a more integrated perspective; such an approach enables more systemic thinking on strategy proposals and offers a reference for future practice. This research will contribute to policy design for the sustainability of the Australian IHE industry and promote change from a one-dimensional economic sustainability to a more multi-dimensional sustainability approach, thereby offering a point of reference for other countries that face similar issues. Social implications This study points out the need to broaden the business focus, expand the value created from shareholder value to the common good and change “inside-out” economic perspectives to “outside-in” integrated perspectives for business, including the IHE industry. Originality/value The sustainability of IHE has become an important concern in Australian policies but is an area for further inquiry in academic discussion and research. By closely examining government policies, particularly from a discursive approach (after Bacchi), this paper makes a contribution to policy design for the sustainability of the Australian IHE industry, helping to promote a more multi-dimensional approach to sustainability.

Sustainable practices in education

“…Although sustainability is widely recognised in literature, there is still complexity and ambiguity about what it exactly means (Harvey et al, 2022;Owens & Legere, 2015). In educational contexts, the term "sustainability" is described as a flexible and powerful concept, encompassing a wide range of perspectives, beliefs, and goals (Hong & Hardy, 2022). Hong and Hardy (2022) and Weisser (2017) claimed that there is no universally agreed-upon definition of sustainability in HEIs.…”

“…In educational contexts, the term "sustainability" is described as a flexible and powerful concept, encompassing a wide range of perspectives, beliefs, and goals (Hong & Hardy, 2022). Hong and Hardy (2022) and Weisser (2017) claimed that there is no universally agreed-upon definition of sustainability in HEIs. Instead, these institutions formulate and utilise the term in diverse ways according to their own perspectives and goals.…”

ChatGPT and its ethical implications for STEM research and higher education: a media discourse analysis

“…Moreover, post-digital education defines the relationship between human intelligence and technology, more specifically referred to as "posterior, " suggesting "a different stage in the perception and use of technology" (Knox, 2019, p. 359) in the currently ongoing era of bio-digital technology, which indicates intrinsic and significant portions of the post-digital ideas (Peters et al, 2023a, p. 3). Conflict theory and crisis management are also intertwined as strategic tools and coping mechanisms for diverse stakeholders with different interests based on their divergent beliefs, norms, and benefits (Giddens & Sutton, 2014;Hong & Hardy, 2022).…”

“…In addition, crisis management is related to strategic planning and problem-solving in diverse ecological and environmental dimensions of sustainability, entailing social, economic, cultural, political, organizational, institutional, and technological factors (Hong & Hardy, 2022). Crisis management illustrates how certain leaders identify risk factors and incidents and prepare for strategic planning to cope with emergencies.…”

Thailand, the forgotten market for international student recruitment? A qualitative study into the strategies of regional Australian universities

“…Amidst the current landscape, regional universities are increasingly prioritising international student recruitment efforts. This shift is driven by thinning local demand, as a growing number of potential local students either enter the workforce or choose to attend metropolitan universities (Hong and Hardy, 2022; Corbett et al , 2023).…”