Towards Sustainability in Higher-Education Institutions: Analysis of Contributing Factors and Appropriate Strategies

Mochamad Arief Budihardjo, Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan, Soraya Annisa Putri, Indah Fajarini Sri Wahyuningrum and Fadel Iqbal Muhammad
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Mochamad Arief Budihardjo: Department of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan: Department of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Soraya Annisa Putri: Department of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 50275, Indonesia
Indah Fajarini Sri Wahyuningrum: Department of Economics, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia
Fadel Iqbal Muhammad: Deparment of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: To depict detailed sustainability efforts that have been implemented in campus environments, research was conducted at the Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), a leading green campus in Indonesia. The aim of the current study was to explore how sustainable development has been conducted by UNDIP and to identify factors that may indicate the existence of sustainability activity in higher-education institutions (HEIs). Factors affecting sustainability implementation in HEIs were derived using bibliometric analysis. Information on the implemented strategies to maintain the sustainability of HEIs was obtained via a closed questionnaire to 40 relevant experts, and analyzed using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, and quantitative strategic-planning matrix (QSPM) analysis. Institutional commitment to sustainability and guidance to implement sustainability in HEIs were found to have the highest scores with regard to internal and external factors. The respondents selected more aggressive strategies for the enhancement of sustainability implementation at UNDIP. Fostering external collaboration should be a priority for UNDIP since this can provide mutual benefits and significant improvement towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current study provides a robust self-assessment method for selecting appropriate strategies to maintain HEI sustainability.

Keywords: higher-education institution; sustainability; SWOT–QSPM analysis; PDCA cycle; SDGs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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