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Implementing Sustainability and Social Responsibility Initiatives in the Higher Education System: Evidence from Spain

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Integrative Approaches to Sustainable Development at University Level

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

Sustainability and social responsibility issues in higher educational institutions have attracted increasing levels of attention from both the public and policy makers in recent decades. This study analyzes the level of implementation of sustainability and social responsibility issues by Spanish universities in different areas (e.g. curriculum, strategic planning, practices, barriers or drivers and reporting) in order to find out their engagement with the higher education for sustainable development. Key findings show the slow rate of progress of many Spanish universities with regard to implementing sustainability and social responsibility initiatives, a fact which could indicate that there are clearly a number of obstacles to overcome. Barriers that compromise sustainability and social responsibility initiatives in higher education can stem from a lack of institutional policies, research networks or administrative structures to promote and coordinate sustainability and social responsibility at universities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business and Economic Studies, University of Cadiz, Duque de Najera Avenue, number 8, 11002, Cadiz, Spain

    Manuel Larrán & Francisco Javier Andrades

Authors
  1. Manuel Larrán
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  2. Francisco Javier Andrades
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francisco Javier Andrades .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Science, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Passo Fundo University, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Luciana Brandli

  3. Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Olga Kuznetsova

  4. Department of Business and Economics, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Arminda Maria Finisterra do Paço

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Larrán, M., Andrades, F.J. (2015). Implementing Sustainability and Social Responsibility Initiatives in the Higher Education System: Evidence from Spain. In: Leal Filho, W., Brandli, L., Kuznetsova, O., Paço, A. (eds) Integrative Approaches to Sustainable Development at University Level. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10690-8_8

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