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Bridging Intellectual Capital, Sustainable Development and Quality of Life in Higher Education Institutions

Author

Listed:
  • Eugénia de Matos Pedro

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, NECE–Research Center in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • João Leitão

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, NECE–Research Center in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    CEG-IST and ICS, University of Lisbon, 1649-004 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Helena Alves

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, NECE–Research Center in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

This paper analyses the relationship between the intellectual capital of higher education institutions (HEIs) and their sustainable development practices, and assesses whether higher education institutions’ sustainable development practices are related to their stakeholders’ quality of life. Using a structural equation model, two model specifications are estimated, gathering primary data from a convenience sample composed of 738 full-time students and 587 teachers/researchers at seven Portuguese higher education institutions. The findings reveal that intellectual capital influences sustainable development practices directly and positively, whereas sustainable development practices influence students’ quality of life in a significant way, although the same is not verified for teachers/researchers. These findings provide insightful implications for policy-making and intellectual capital management for practices in higher education institutions; firstly, by showing that the sustainable development concept is associated with HEIs’ practices of economic, environmental, social and organisational sustainability; secondly, by concluding that public Portuguese HEIs need to improve the social dimension of their sustainable development practices, and here there may be room for improvement in the institution through better and more proficient social engagement that is more directed to the challenges of sustainability and social change; and thirdly, by showing that the inclusion of better sustainable practices has repercussions on the quality of life of all stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugénia de Matos Pedro & João Leitão & Helena Alves, 2020. "Bridging Intellectual Capital, Sustainable Development and Quality of Life in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:2:p:479-:d:306437
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Daniel A. Salas & Paulina Criollo & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.
    6. Alexandru Sebastian Lazarov & Augustin Semenescu, 2022. "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Romanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the SDGs Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.
    7. Eugénia de Matos Pedro & João Leitão & Helena Alves, 2021. "HEI Efficiency and Quality of Life: Seeding the Pro-Sustainability Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-25, January.
    8. Fieras Alfawaire & Tarik Atan, 2021. "The Effect of Strategic Human Resource and Knowledge Management on Sustainable Competitive Advantages at Jordanian Universities: The Mediating Role of Organizational Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-35, July.
    9. Pavel Krpálek & Kateřina Berková & Andrea Kubišová & Katarína Krpálková Krelová & Dagmar Frendlovská & Daniela Spiesová, 2021. "Formation of Professional Competences and Soft Skills of Public Administration Employees for Sustainable Professional Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    10. Amila Omazic & Bernd Markus Zunk, 2021. "Semi-Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-45, July.
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