Universities as change agents for sustainability – framing the role of knowledge transfer and generation in regional development processes

Peer, Verena; Stoeglehner, Gernot

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.12.003

Cited by 97 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Teaching activities can be seen as an important driver of longterm institutional change in the region, as graduates and their awareness for sustainability represent a multiplier and possess the capacity to deal with such complex challenges. This process might be accelerated through additional vocational training courses or customized education programmes that are tailored to specific regional needs (Peer and Stoeglehner 2013).…”

Section: Contribution Of Heis Via Different Channelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 1987 the Brundtland Report (WCED 1987) introduced sustainability as a concept which strives for a balanced social, ecological and economic development on different spatial scales. Launching several new principles such as: a) increasing significance of the local and regional level, b) public and stakeholder participation and c) integrative, holistic approaches to regional and local challenges (Peer and Stoeglehner 2013), the concept of sustainability confronts considerable complexity and emphasizes the need for systemic, multi-dimensional and transdisciplinary approaches. Sustainability transition research integrates technological, market and behavioural perspectives by considering the co-evolutionary development of these different elements in specific socio-technical systems (STRN 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of higher education institutions in regional transition paths towards sustainability

Radinger-Peer

Pflitsch

2017

Rev Reg Res

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The present paper investigates the role of the located Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the transformation towards sustainability of the city of Linz as well as the region of Upper Austria. We argue that HEIs have the potential to spur a regional transition towards sustainability via the channels of teaching, research and outreach. We furthermore take into account that organisational-and field-level drivers influence the role of HEIs within the regional transition paths towards sustainability (RTPS). We chose an explorative research design in order to give a realistic picture of the potentials and limitations of HEIs' involvement in regional transitions to sustainability. The role of the five HEIs located in the city of Linz is studied through in-depth expert interviews and a comprehensive document analysis. The investigation reveals that there is no contribution of HEIs as a whole to RTPS, but that the impact is dependent on individual highly engaged "frontrunners" enacting change and at the same time on leadership from the university management. Moreover, regulative drivers at the field-level and normative as well as cognitive drivers at the organisational-level affect HEIs' contribution.

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Section: Contribution Of Heis Via Different Channelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of higher education institutions in regional transition paths towards sustainability

Radinger-Peer

Pflitsch

2017

Rev Reg Res

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“…Some of the reasons for this include the low number of HEIs publishing sustainability reports [13][14][15], the low quality of the reports [13,14], and the lack of consecutive reporting [15]. On the other side, studies on OCMS in HEIs have discussed the role of accreditation in fostering change towards SD [16], and the role of HEIs as change agents for SD in regional development processes [17]. However, research into the relationship between SR and OCMS in the context of HESD is still limited [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability Reporting in Higher Education: Interconnecting the Reporting Process and Organisational Change Management for Sustainability

2015

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Abstract:Although there has been a considerable increase in the publication of sustainability reports in the corporate world in the last decade, sustainability reporting in higher education institutions is still in its early stages. This study's aim was to explore the relationship between sustainability reporting and organizational change management for sustainability in higher education. A survey was sent to higher education institutions worldwide that have published sustainability reports in the last ten years. The survey was answered by 23 institutions out of a total of 64. The findings showed that sustainability reporting has been predominantly driven by internal motivations, and that the sustainability reporting process leads to incremental changes, such as an increase in awareness of sustainability and improvements in communication with internal stakeholders. Some factors impeding change are the absence of an external stakeholder engagement process, the lack of inclusion of material impacts in reports, and the lack of institutionalization of sustainability reporting in the higher education system. The paper proposes that higher education institutions need to consider sustainability reporting as a dynamic tool to plan sustainability changes, and not just as a communication activity. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 8882

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“…As the world moves forward on the implementation this Agenda, education should play once more a crucial role. Business schools and universities from all over the world, should take advantage of CSR challenges and opportunities, and should act as change agents for sustainability (Stephens, Hernandez, Román, Graham, & Scholz, 2008;Peer, & Stoeglehner, 2013). It is the role of higher education to prepare a new generation of transformational leaders that contribute to contribute to the betterment of society.…”

Section: Education In the Age Of Sustainabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR): Essential topics for business education

Gorski

Fuciu

Dumitrescu

2017

Balkan Region Conference on Engineering and Business Education

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Universities as change agents for sustainability – framing the role of knowledge transfer and generation in regional development processes

Cited by 97 publications

References 31 publications

The role of higher education institutions in regional transition paths towards sustainability

The role of higher education institutions in regional transition paths towards sustainability

Sustainability Reporting in Higher Education: Interconnecting the Reporting Process and Organisational Change Management for Sustainability

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR): Essential topics for business education

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