Sustainable development practices in public higher education: A new conceptual framework for nurturing student satisfaction and reinforcing attractiveness to international students

Abstract

Using a multi‐layer review based on stakeholder, institutional and legitimacy theories, the current study presents and empirically analyses a novel conceptual framework addressing the relationship between sustainable development practices, internationalization and students' satisfaction in public higher education institutions. Based on participants' self‐perception, a questionnaire was distributed to 738 students at seven Portuguese public higher education institutions. Structural equation modeling was utilized to estimate the multivariate causal relationships. The evidence shows that SDP are positively, directly, and significantly related to internationalization and students' satisfaction. Students' satisfaction is directly and significantly associated with internationalization, also revealing a moderating effect on the relationship between sustainable development practices and internationalization. To achieve legitimacy among their stakeholders, public higher education institutions must build an institutional commitment to sustainability by adopting and disseminating sustainable development practices with actions on a livable campus.

Co-creation and innovation in higher education institutions: a systematic literature review and research agenda

“…While HEIs' first and second missions were teaching and research, they are now recognised for playing a critical role in economic growth, social improvement and regional development. In fact, regional development is now regarded as HEIs' third mission (Edwards et al, 2020), and it is increasingly being extended to include the enforcement of a sustainable development approach (Pedro et al, 2023). Following Laredo (2007), the Third Mission is the most interconnected and innovation-dependent since it is essential to HEIs as well as the community.…”

“…In fact, regional development is now regarded as HEIs’ third mission (Edwards et al. , 2020), and it is increasingly being extended to include the enforcement of a sustainable development approach (Pedro et al. , 2023).…”