Setting the precedent for sustainable development: how universities can implement responsible practices

The current state of the environment overall warrants the need for additional resources in dealing with the challenges. While consumers are increasingly holding organisations responsible for their actions, they alone cannot make a significant impact. Resolving these deep-seated issues requires the cooperation and collaboration of various stakeholders that can play different roles. Each group can contribute in various ways that can produce favourable results when combined. In this regard, universities and academics can also engage in activities that promote sustainable development. One of the key contributing factors that universities bring to the table is the intellectual resource. This can either be through information or even through the expertise of the human capital. The academic field is not just good for amassing knowledge; it can also serve as a catalyst for change. Academics can comprise those that are subject matter experts through literature or those that have practical experience in their chosen field. Whatever the case, there is a rich body of information they possess on any given topic. This wealth of knowledge can be turned into actionable plans and strategies. In the wider context, higher education institutions are great to use, especially for situations that may be complex. Sustainability is a complicated subject; therefore, it only makes sense that the academic field is engaged in finding a solution. Ouragini and Ben Hassine Louzir (2024) investigated how universities can contribute to sustainable development.It is not just corporate organisations that have to abide by corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards. Even universities are subject to scrutiny in this regard. Just like any other organisation, universities must provide CSR statements to promote their sustainability plans. They are in a better position than any other entity to understand the impact that ignoring stakeholder pressure can have on competitiveness. Although the consumers related to universities may be different from those in other businesses, they have the same concerns and requirements. Students can also use CSR standing as a filter or criteria when deciding on a university to attend. The development of the market has meant that aspects such as quality of education are less of a differentiating factor. With the development of technology and other digital platforms, most universities are seen to be of a similar level. There are other factors that students begin to consider. Therefore, the university needs to set themselves apart from the competition. Additionally, the increased availability of higher education has made students spoilt for choice. Without offering something different to the market, many universities are left to fight a fierce battle in the market with no guarantee of victory. CSR can offer that way out, as there are many different avenues that can be explored.Universities hold a lot of weight in terms of their influence in suggesting ways forward. As a knowledge-intensive organisation, they are seen to hold more credibility, and the general public and other organisations are more likely to follow in their footsteps. This can turn them into pioneers for sustainable development. They are also privy to various research studies around the topic and can leverage this knowledge into strategies. Information and knowledge are power, so the university is the ideal starting point for any new initiatives. While CSR and overall sustainability have gained popularity over the years, this has not been an easy feat to accomplish. Many organisations questioned the significance of these concepts and assumed that the larger their business was, the more likely they were to be exempt from their responsibility. This was not the case; in fact, the opposite occurred. Those organisations that had the resources to tackle these issues but were not were more harshly judged and criticised. It even impacted their profit margins. Therefore, CSR can be seen as the Achilles heel within the industries. It can make organisations vulnerable to negative press, which can greatly impact their overall brand. To protect themselves from falling into the same false sense of security, universities have and should incorporate CSR into their strategic plans.Applying CSR-friendly changes within universities is not just about integrating it into teaching material. It is also about implementing those practices and approaches within the university. They have an academic responsibility to positively contribute to their environment and context. Whatever the specific issue being tackled is, it is not just the information that can help make a difference. Knowledge without application is meaningless. They need to practice what they preach, and it is through this application that can push forward the CSR narrative. However, they cannot work in a silo, and other organisations need to equally participate for the goals to be achieved and yield lasting results. Universities are in a better position to raise awareness of sustainability challenges. Higher education holds a prestigious reputation within the market; therefore, what they advocate is taken more seriously. The rationale that it is backed up by suitable evidence plays a part in maintaining this narrative. This can put universities in the position of a role model that other businesses can emulate. While universities may not operate under the traditional business model, just like any other business, their survival is not guaranteed. It is important even in the academic world to remain relevant, and part of this is keeping up with changing needs. Sustainability has occupied the business space for quite some time, so it is a given that even universities must follow suit.This review is based on “University social responsibility and sustainable development: illustration of adapted practices by two Tunisian Universities” by Imen Ouragini and Anissa Ben Hassine Louzir, published in the Social Responsibility Journal.