Benchmarks Analysis of the Higher Education Institutions …
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Given the above facts, and as exposed by Fernández-Sánchez et al. (2014), there
is a consensus in the literature regarding the crucial role of HEIs in the global efforts
to reach sustainability (see: Calder and Clugston 2003; Cortese 2003; Corcoran and
Wals 2004; Lukman and Glaviˇ c 2007; Mochizuki and Fadeeva 2008; UNESCO 2009;
Disterheft et al. 2013; Thomashow 2014; Filho et al. 2015).
de Oliveira et al. (2016) emphasize that in order to be sustainable, it is necessary
that HEIs go beyond their pre-molded teaching methods viewed as traditional. Also,
as highlighted by da Veiga (2013), the move towards sustainability cannot occur
from the coexistence of new environmental initiatives and the permanence of old
economic development actions. Thus, it is fundamental that HEIs also practice what
they teach, rather than being institutions that propagate knowledge only (de Oliveira
et al. 2016).
Another critical factor that has been globally debated is the concept of Sustainability in Higher Education Institution, since it may vary according to the reality
of each country, or even the focus followed within the Institution’s organizational
structures. Due to the multiple aspects that guide this theme, according to Tilbury
(2011), the term sustainability should not be seen as a strategic plan with a single,
inflexibly demarcated goal to be achieved. Otherwise, it needs to be understood as
a list of tasks to be fulfilled in the same way that needs to be questioned, as they
vary according to environmental influences and time (Tilbury 2011). In that way,
for an HEI to be sustainable, it needs to transform itself, so that it breaks with old
paradigms that preach the unidisciplinary and the vertical organization of its activities
and processes. Therefore, all stakeholders involved must be considered: professors,
community, research centers, academics, officials, investors, as well as local and
regional administrators (van Weenen 2000; Tilbury 2011; Quist and Tukker 2013;
Fernández-Sánchez et al. 2014, 2015).
The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (WUR) is an initiative of international significance that promotes and directs HEIs to integrate sustainable development actions in its operational and organizational sectors. Through its six questionnaire indicators, HEIs from all localities can be more active in planning and implementing sustainable strategies, as well as being able to gain international visibility
(Universitas Indonesia 2016). Nonetheless, despite the positive aspects and active
participation of HEIs from all over the world, only a few Brazilian HEIs have been
participating in the WUR since its first ranking was shared (2010), and those who are
participants have so far been below average in the overall ranking. Several factors
may justify the low-ranking results of Brazilian HEIs, while some international HEIs
remained at the top of it over the years. Therefore, believing that greater involvement of HEIs from all over the world in the WUR can have a positive impact on the
sustainable approach and generate the creation of secure networking, this research
seeks to understand which benchmarks guide the strategies and actions adopted by
four best-ranked HEIs in comparison with four-Brazilian HEIs both participating in
the WUR.
669
Given the above facts, and as exposed by Fernández-Sánchez et al. (2014), there
is a consensus in the literature regarding the crucial role of HEIs in the global efforts
to reach sustainability (see: Calder and Clugston 2003; Cortese 2003; Corcoran and
Wals 2004; Lukman and Glaviˇ c 2007; Mochizuki and Fadeeva 2008; UNESCO 2009;
Disterheft et al. 2013; Thomashow 2014; Filho et al. 2015).
de Oliveira et al. (2016) emphasize that in order to be sustainable, it is necessary
that HEIs go beyond their pre-molded teaching methods viewed as traditional. Also,
as highlighted by da Veiga (2013), the move towards sustainability cannot occur
from the coexistence of new environmental initiatives and the permanence of old
economic development actions. Thus, it is fundamental that HEIs also practice what
they teach, rather than being institutions that propagate knowledge only (de Oliveira
et al. 2016).
Another critical factor that has been globally debated is the concept of Sustainability in Higher Education Institution, since it may vary according to the reality
of each country, or even the focus followed within the Institution’s organizational
structures. Due to the multiple aspects that guide this theme, according to Tilbury
(2011), the term sustainability should not be seen as a strategic plan with a single,
inflexibly demarcated goal to be achieved. Otherwise, it needs to be understood as
a list of tasks to be fulfilled in the same way that needs to be questioned, as they
vary according to environmental influences and time (Tilbury 2011). In that way,
for an HEI to be sustainable, it needs to transform itself, so that it breaks with old
paradigms that preach the unidisciplinary and the vertical organization of its activities
and processes. Therefore, all stakeholders involved must be considered: professors,
community, research centers, academics, officials, investors, as well as local and
regional administrators (van Weenen 2000; Tilbury 2011; Quist and Tukker 2013;
Fernández-Sánchez et al. 2014, 2015).
The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (WUR) is an initiative of international significance that promotes and directs HEIs to integrate sustainable development actions in its operational and organizational sectors. Through its six questionnaire indicators, HEIs from all localities can be more active in planning and implementing sustainable strategies, as well as being able to gain international visibility
(Universitas Indonesia 2016). Nonetheless, despite the positive aspects and active
participation of HEIs from all over the world, only a few Brazilian HEIs have been
participating in the WUR since its first ranking was shared (2010), and those who are
participants have so far been below average in the overall ranking. Several factors
may justify the low-ranking results of Brazilian HEIs, while some international HEIs
remained at the top of it over the years. Therefore, believing that greater involvement of HEIs from all over the world in the WUR can have a positive impact on the
sustainable approach and generate the creation of secure networking, this research
seeks to understand which benchmarks guide the strategies and actions adopted by
four best-ranked HEIs in comparison with four-Brazilian HEIs both participating in
the WUR.