Assessing universities’ social sustainability: accounting for stakeholder value

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess higher education institutions’ (HEIs) social sustainability by applying Integrated Social Value (ISV) analysis to eight universities belonging to the Catalan Association of Public Universities in Spain. Design/methodology/approach ISV analysis is a social accounting methodology that considers both the economic value and the social value created for all the organisation’s stakeholders through a participatory and systematic process. Findings The authors have shown that ISV analysis can be effective to assess the impacts on social sustainability of HEIs. The monetised results facilitate understanding about the valued impacts and allow integration with the universities’ financial data. Research limitations/implications The research advances the under-researched topic of social sustainability assessment in higher education. Practical implications Quantifying universities’ social impacts in monetary terms may help to transform conventional financial accounting and improve HEIs’ internal strategy and management according to sustainability principles. Social implications The process of measuring the social value created by universities provides a way to meet the rising demands for greater accountability and transparency and facilitates engagement with stakeholders on how these institutions are contributing to sustainable development. Originality/value ISV analysis represents an innovative approach to assess how HEIs create benefits for its internal and external stakeholders and contribute to solutions to social challenges.

Towards symbiotic approaches between universities, sustainable development, and cities

“…Therefore, both national and international students not only serve the purpose of strengthening universities in respect of learning and teaching but also help to support the local economy and culture. This, in turn, helps to increase their contribution to social sustainability 12 .…”

Guest editorial

“…Aras et al (2021) evaluate integrated reporting in the higher education by conducting a case study in Turkey. Ayuso et al (2021) advances our thinking on integrated social value analysis and applies it to eighth universities in Spain.…”

Determinants of the dissemination of economic, social and environmental information at the university level in the context of commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals

“…In other words, despite the importance of environmental information, universities' objective of advancing the SDGs also requires information on social aspects, and from the point of view of the management and sustainability of the measures, it is also necessary to have economic information (Sepasi et al, 2019). The focus of the economic aspects would be to study the economic impact of environmental and social practices, and to analyse the value generated by universities and its distribution among the different stakeholders (Ayuso et al, 2022).…”