440
A. E. Builes Vélez and P. A. Zapata Ramírez
2 Methods
This work illustrates several of the internal and external approaches the UPB has been
carrying out in order to achieve its institutional Mission and the strategy to promote
the SDGs in their daily activities. To do so, we compiled several institutional documents and reports that contain the methods and results obtained from different efforts
and projects. In addition, we also documented how the UPB is integrating corporate
social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability measurements in their Strategic Plan
(2017–2025). Particularly, we outline the following strategies: (1) organizational
culture based on CSR and sustainability, (2) UPB internal key actions, and (3) UPB
external actions in support of the SDGs.
3 Results and Analysis
1. Organizational Culture based on CSR and Sustainability
The previous organizational culture was based on a traditional administrative manner
that did not take into consideration any sustainability strategy. Hence, in order to
achieve the transition from this traditional way of reporting management results to a
more holistic expression, the sustainability report, which is a CSR and sustainability
performance measurement that integrates sustainable methodologies for corporative
reports and gathers the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, is used. It has
been necessary to articulate the efforts of the different areas of the university in the
main headquarters and in its different national campuses toward the process of sensitization, education, and application in the areas of governance, materiality analysis,
characterization of interest groups, and impact management indicators. With this, the
institution has begun to unify a common language and frame of reference, as well as
a meeting space for critical reflection and proposals, always aiming to achieve the
institutional Mission.
To achieve the challenge of changing the organizational culture, it was necessary to implement CSR in the core of the organization. Understanding CSR as “how
businesses align their values and behavior with the expectations and needs of stakeholders—not just customers and investors, but also employees, suppliers, communities, regulators, special interest groups and society as a whole.” (Fontaine 2013)
The CSR requests the organization actions that allow the management of economic,
social, and environmental impacts of its operation to reduce negative outcomes and
maximize the benefits for the stakeholders, the community, and the society.
In organizational terms, sustainable development is the highest commitment of
the administrative and teaching staff of the university (Gomez 2018); this implies
that the institution continues to exist and that it achieves its Mission and the Strategic
Plan. The institution has been aware of the commitment to leave the new generations
a better world and the importance of educating those generations with the understanding of their commitment to living in a sustainably. In particular, the Strategic
A. E. Builes Vélez and P. A. Zapata Ramírez
2 Methods
This work illustrates several of the internal and external approaches the UPB has been
carrying out in order to achieve its institutional Mission and the strategy to promote
the SDGs in their daily activities. To do so, we compiled several institutional documents and reports that contain the methods and results obtained from different efforts
and projects. In addition, we also documented how the UPB is integrating corporate
social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability measurements in their Strategic Plan
(2017–2025). Particularly, we outline the following strategies: (1) organizational
culture based on CSR and sustainability, (2) UPB internal key actions, and (3) UPB
external actions in support of the SDGs.
3 Results and Analysis
1. Organizational Culture based on CSR and Sustainability
The previous organizational culture was based on a traditional administrative manner
that did not take into consideration any sustainability strategy. Hence, in order to
achieve the transition from this traditional way of reporting management results to a
more holistic expression, the sustainability report, which is a CSR and sustainability
performance measurement that integrates sustainable methodologies for corporative
reports and gathers the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, is used. It has
been necessary to articulate the efforts of the different areas of the university in the
main headquarters and in its different national campuses toward the process of sensitization, education, and application in the areas of governance, materiality analysis,
characterization of interest groups, and impact management indicators. With this, the
institution has begun to unify a common language and frame of reference, as well as
a meeting space for critical reflection and proposals, always aiming to achieve the
institutional Mission.
To achieve the challenge of changing the organizational culture, it was necessary to implement CSR in the core of the organization. Understanding CSR as “how
businesses align their values and behavior with the expectations and needs of stakeholders—not just customers and investors, but also employees, suppliers, communities, regulators, special interest groups and society as a whole.” (Fontaine 2013)
The CSR requests the organization actions that allow the management of economic,
social, and environmental impacts of its operation to reduce negative outcomes and
maximize the benefits for the stakeholders, the community, and the society.
In organizational terms, sustainable development is the highest commitment of
the administrative and teaching staff of the university (Gomez 2018); this implies
that the institution continues to exist and that it achieves its Mission and the Strategic
Plan. The institution has been aware of the commitment to leave the new generations
a better world and the importance of educating those generations with the understanding of their commitment to living in a sustainably. In particular, the Strategic