Empathy and solidarity as a bridge between sustainable development goals and strategic management of higher education institutions

Research background: Globalization and environmental changes have driven greater complexity in the university governance system, leading to the modification of educational policies, institutional strategies and higher education models in countries on various continents. Specifically, within Social Responsibility (SR) in higher education institutions (HEIs), and under the commitment of university government, the challenges to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) guide universities’ strategic management. It involves various educational actors through strategies linked to the substantive functions of universities. Purpose of the article: The objective of this study is to explain the influence of students’ perceptions on the social responsibility of the HEIs through empathy and solidarity from the perspective of SDGs in Colombia. For this, we link these two variables with the strategies related to respect and dignity, freedom and citizenship, and environment using the reference point of the institutional challenges faced in university governance. Methods: This study considers the development of a structural analysis for the confirmation of research hypotheses. The research subjects are students from universities in Colombia, who make up a non-probabilistic sample. A social responsibility perception scale composed of dimensions and variables. The variables are expressed in statements whose response form considers a Likert-type scale. Findings & value added: The main contribution of the study lies in the value that students attach to empathy and solidarity, due to their connection with the values of SR and the principles of the SDGs. The results show that students’ perceptions of social responsibility for HEIs from SDGs must drive the implementation of strategies based on empathy and solidarity. This would respond to the demands linked with human dignity, relations with the milieu, space generation, free expression of opinions, and fostering respect for others. Finally, it is important to implement comprehensive strategies based on SR values and the principles of the SDGs.