A holistic overview on the implementation of socially responsible practices in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This paper aims to present a holistic overview of the integration of multiple socially responsible practices in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In fact, this topic has nowadays become crucial for universities and other higher education and scientific research institutions to guarantee the satisfaction of the multiple internal and external stakeholders (students, professors, administrative staff, external partners…) and to insure an optimal quality performance of those institutions. For this purpose, we first presented to the university in its changing context; our aim was to show up and to identify the main steps and milestones that characterized the higher education sector. Then, we tackled some several aspects of the University Social Responsibility concept (USR), starting from its roots and relationship with the CSR concept (Corporate Social responsibility), arriving to its diverse definitions. After, we discussed the importance of the university governance system and the stakeholders within the integration of socially responsible practices in HEIs. Moreover, we chose PRME “Principles of Responsible Management Education”, which is a UN (United Nations) initiative, as an example of integrating socially responsible practices in business schools and an inspiration for HEIs in all specialties to proceed in the same way. Finally, we suggested a theoretical model based on the analysis of the different discussed points in this paper.

The theoretical model resulting from the analysis made in this article can serve as a basis for future empirical research, with the aim of identifying the main dimensions that act and strongly impact on the integration of socially responsible practices within higher education institutions, in particular through the implementation of a USR approach.