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Using system dynamics to develop education for sustainable development in higher education with the emphasis on the sustainability competencies of students

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  • Faham, Elham
  • Rezvanfar, Ahmad
  • Movahed Mohammadi, Seyed Hamid
  • Rajabi Nohooji, Meisam

Abstract

In response to growing concerns of the community about sustainability challenges and the intensification of the international calls to move towards a sustainable future, higher education should be involved in implementing the programs of education for sustainable development; because of this fact that University graduates are part of this solution as future leaders and inheritors of technology. In this study, the underlying research question is: What mechanisms are needed to develop education for sustainable development in higher education with the emphasis on the sustainability competencies of students? The research method was system dynamics. Therefore, we used a mix method research design. Tools of research included the literature review, questionnaire, interview, and observation. We developed a dynamic model to develop the education for sustainable development in higher education with the emphasis on the sustainability competencies of students. This model describes the research problem and predicts the behavior of model variables by simulating in the next 20years. This model included 18 reinforcing and six balancing feedback loops. After ensuring the validity of the model, mechanisms were elicited from the model. Finally, we evaluated these mechanisms for finding the impacts on improving the problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Faham, Elham & Rezvanfar, Ahmad & Movahed Mohammadi, Seyed Hamid & Rajabi Nohooji, Meisam, 2017. "Using system dynamics to develop education for sustainable development in higher education with the emphasis on the sustainability competencies of students," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 307-326.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:123:y:2017:i:c:p:307-326
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.03.023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcel Bursztyn, 2008. "Sustainability Science and the University: Towards Interdisciplinarity," CID Working Papers 24, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    2. Tim Vorley & Jen Nelles, 2008. "(Re)conceptualising the academy: Institutional development of and beyond the third mission," Higher Education Management and Policy, OECD Publishing, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17.
    3. Stephen Sterling & Ian Thomas, 2006. "Education for sustainability: the role of capabilities in guiding university curricula," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(4), pages 349-370.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Roberta Pinna & Gianfranco Cicotto & Hosein Jafarkarimi, 2023. "Student’s Co-Creation Behavior in a Business and Economic Bachelor’s Degree in Italy: Influence of Perceived Service Quality, Institutional Image, and Loyalty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Foroudi, Pantea & Yu, Qionglei & Gupta, Suraksha & Foroudi, Mohammad M., 2019. "Enhancing university brand image and reputation through customer value co-creation behaviour," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 218-227.
    4. Catalina RADU & Emilia GOGU, 2017. "Issues And Insights Regarding Tertiary Education. A Romanian Perspective," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 11(1), pages 446-456, November.
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    7. Leyla Angélica Sandoval Hamón & Ana Paula Martinho & M. Rosário Ramos & Cecilia Elizabeth Bayas Aldaz, 2020. "Do Spanish Students Become More Sustainable after the Implementation of Sustainable Practices by Universities?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.
    8. Marta Retamosa & Ángel Millán & Miguel Moital, 2020. "Does the Type of Degree Predict Different Levels of Satisfaction and Loyalty? A Brand Equity Perspective," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(2), pages 57-77, May.
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    10. Vecchio, Pasquale Del & Secundo, Giustina & Maruccia, Ylenia & Passiante, Giuseppina, 2019. "A system dynamic approach for the smart mobility of people: Implications in the age of big data," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    11. Gianluca Elia & Alessandro Margherita & Claudio Petti, 2020. "Building responses to sustainable development challenges: A multistakeholder collaboration framework and application to climate change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2465-2478, September.
    12. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, November.

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