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Assessing sustainability reports of US universities

Assessing sustainability reports of US universities The purpose of this study is to assess sustainability reports of US universities to provide findings on the relative importance of disclosure topics.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted content analysis by using a specific university-oriented catalogue of indicators to cover the specific sustainability-related aspects of this sector.FindingsSustainability reporting by universities is still in its early stages. The findings show a clear focus on the environmental dimension, whereas the university and the economic dimensions see lower levels of reporting. The social dimension is rarely addressed.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could use the results of this study as a basis for investigating stakeholder expectations towards universities’ sustainability reporting and developing university-specific sustainability reporting standards.Practical implicationsThe results could be used to improve universities’ sustainability reporting, as “good” practices are now readily available.Social implicationsThe level of reporting on the social dimension is very low. Therefore, developing political incentives to improve universities’ social performance might be of interest.Originality/valueThe investigated setting is unique and contributes several findings in a less-researched area along with several practical, social and research implications. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education Emerald Publishing

Assessing sustainability reports of US universities

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References (21)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1467-6370
DOI
10.1108/ijshe-06-2016-0114
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess sustainability reports of US universities to provide findings on the relative importance of disclosure topics.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted content analysis by using a specific university-oriented catalogue of indicators to cover the specific sustainability-related aspects of this sector.FindingsSustainability reporting by universities is still in its early stages. The findings show a clear focus on the environmental dimension, whereas the university and the economic dimensions see lower levels of reporting. The social dimension is rarely addressed.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could use the results of this study as a basis for investigating stakeholder expectations towards universities’ sustainability reporting and developing university-specific sustainability reporting standards.Practical implicationsThe results could be used to improve universities’ sustainability reporting, as “good” practices are now readily available.Social implicationsThe level of reporting on the social dimension is very low. Therefore, developing political incentives to improve universities’ social performance might be of interest.Originality/valueThe investigated setting is unique and contributes several findings in a less-researched area along with several practical, social and research implications.

Journal

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education – Emerald Publishing

Published: Dec 7, 2018

Keywords: University; CSR reporting; Voluntary disclosure; Sustainability reporting; Higher education institution

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