Title: Strategic ways to incorporate sustainability as a working culture in tertiary education

Authors: Aditi Agarwal; Chandra Sharma Poudyal; Sanjeev Acharya

Addresses: North Tech, Te Pūkenga, Level 4/238 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand ' Universal College of Learning, Te Pūkenga, 18 Princes Street, Palmerston North, New Zealand ' Southern Institute of Technology, Te Pūkenga, 133 Tay Street, Invercargill, New Zealand

Abstract: The study aims to explore ways to incorporate sustainable culture in the tertiary education industry. This involves investigating the barriers and challenges preventing the widespread implementation of sustainability in the organisation. The exploratory research methodology was adopted to gain insights into the organisation's sustainability status. The semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information on their current views and challenges regarding sustainability. The results revealed that there was a lack of top management initiatives to encourage sustainability. It was also found that no set targets were communicated in this regard, and with no designated department, it became even more challenging to implement sustainability. A lack of robust, standardised policies determining sustainability led to a culture of complacency. To build a mainstream sustainability strategy, substantial efforts are required to create a committed department for the same and recognise the work of people already making sustainable choices at work and home.

Keywords: sustainability; tertiary education; robust; standardised; business schools; organisational learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHES.2023.137500

International Journal of Higher Education and Sustainability, 2023 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.177 - 194

Received: 18 Apr 2023
Accepted: 28 Jun 2023
Published online: 21 Mar 2024 *