Creating an Integrative Sustainability Framework for Higher Education in Malaysia: Economic, Environment, Social and Governance (EESG) Aspects

Yeo Amy Chu May (), Lim Chia Yien, Tay Lee Chin and Chin Mui Yin
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Yeo Amy Chu May: Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Malaysia
Lim Chia Yien: Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Malaysia
Tay Lee Chin: Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Malaysia
Chin Mui Yin: Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Malaysia

HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-26

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate how the Economic, Environment, Social and Governance (EESG) framework for sustainability has been ingrained in a higher institution in Malaysia. Using an interpretive, qualitative approach and a case study, five branches of the HEI in question, were studied for their alignment with the UN 17 SDGs using semi structured interviews and document analysis. The raw data were generated using the MAXQDA software and analysed accordingly. The investigation uncovered that the HEI had effectively pursued most of the SDGs. From a social sustainability standpoint, the university had diligently attended to the welfare and well-being of its students and staff, underscored the significance of maintaining an environmental agenda, and had an excellent governance policy. The economic lens had garnered heightened attention from middle-to the upper-level management. As a whole system, this study has translated into a resilient financial foundation for the institution. Consequently, the study's conclusive findings and subsequent hypothesised model, could potentially serve as a guiding reference for other educational institutions despite the inherent limitations associated with its applicability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case study that investigated a private non-profit university in an emerging market.

Keywords: Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs); Economic; Environmental; Social and Governance sustainability; Malaysia HEI (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:hjobpa:v:16:y:2025:i:1:p:1-26:n:1002

DOI: 10.2478/hjbpa-2025-0001

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