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Sustainability Education and Organizational Change: A Critical Case Study of Barriers and Change Drivers at a Higher Education Institution

Author

Listed:
  • Edwin E. Akins

    (Department of Architecture, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Elizabeth Giddens

    (Department of English, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • David Glassmeyer

    (Department of Secondary and Middle Grades Education, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Amy Gruss

    (Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Maria Kalamas Hedden

    (Department of Marketing and Professional Sales, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Vanessa Slinger-Friedman

    (Department of Geography and Anthropology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

  • Matthew Weand

    (Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA)

Abstract

Integrating sustainability within institutions of higher education can have a tremendous impact on students, faculty, and the larger community. Sustainability efforts also experience many barriers to implementation within higher education contexts. A change management perspective can help characterize these barriers and ways to overcome them. In this critical case study, we use a process model to examine the kinds of barriers Kennesaw State University (KSU) has faced regarding implementation of academic sustainability and to evaluate change drivers that can advance sustainability during a time of leadership change. The process model evaluates barriers and change drivers according to published frameworks, and provides a way for higher education institutions to identify the most difficult barriers, easily surmountable barriers, and areas where change drivers can have the most impact. At KSU, the process model identified the self-determination of middle-tier change drivers as the most important way to advance sustainable development in higher education institutions (SD in HEI) until new leadership emerges. The process model is iterative and modifiable, because the specific frameworks used in the process model may vary depending upon the needs of each HEI and stage of progression toward SD.

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin E. Akins & Elizabeth Giddens & David Glassmeyer & Amy Gruss & Maria Kalamas Hedden & Vanessa Slinger-Friedman & Matthew Weand, 2019. "Sustainability Education and Organizational Change: A Critical Case Study of Barriers and Change Drivers at a Higher Education Institution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:501-:d:198975
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    Cited by:

    1. Martina Blašková & Justyna Majchrzak-Lepczyk & Dominika Hriníková & Rudolf Blaško, 2019. "Sustainable Academic Motivation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Göran Finnveden & Julie Newman & Leendert A. Verhoef, 2019. "Sustainable Development and Higher Education: Acting with a Purpose," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-4, July.
    3. Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2021. "Organizational Change Management for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Cembranel, Priscila & Teixeira Dias, Felipe & Silva, Camilla Gomes da & Finatto, Carla Patricia & Guerra, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade, 2023. "Sustainable universities: The LGBTQIAP+ inclusive model," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    5. Joan K. Tisdale & Angela R. Bielefeldt, 2023. "Instructors’ Perspectives on Enhancing Sustainability’s Diffusion into Mechanical Engineering Courses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Tajammal Hussain & Jacob Eskildsen & Rick Edgeman & Muhammad Ismail & Alaa Mohamd Shoukry & Showkat Gani, 2019. "Imperatives of Sustainable University Excellence: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, September.
    7. 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.
    8. María Consuelo Sáiz-Manzanares & Sara Gutiérrez-González & Ángel Rodríguez & Lourdes Alameda Cuenca-Romero & Verónica Calderón & Miguel Ángel Queiruga-Dios, 2020. "Systematic Review on Inclusive Education, Sustainability in Engineering: An Analysis with Mixed Methods and Data Mining Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
    9. Gülşah Taşçı & Osman Titrek, 2019. "Evaluation of Lifelong Learning Centers in Higher Education: A Sustainable Leadership Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Laima Daujotienė & Aušra Kazlauskienė & Remigijus Bubnys, 2020. "Teacher Involvement in Organisational Change: From Engaging Risk to Cooperative Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-14, November.
    11. Martina Blašková & Dominika Tumová & Rudolf Blaško & Justyna Majchrzak-Lepczyk, 2021. "Spirals of Sustainable Academic Motivation, Creativity, and Trust of Higher Education Staff," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-25, June.
    12. Shaikha R. Al-Nuaimi & Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, 2022. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Sustainability Aspects among Higher Education Students in Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    13. Paula Bacelar-Nicolau & Mahsa Mapar & Sandra Caeiro & Sara Moreno Pires & Mariana Nicolau & Catarina Madeira & Marta Ferreira Dias & Ana Paula Gomes & Myriam Lopes & Helena Nadais & Georgios Malandrak, 2023. "Empowering Non-Academic Staff for the Implementation of Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-18, October.
    14. Daniela De Filippo & Javier Benayas & Karem Peña & Flor Sánchez, 2020. "Communication on Sustainability in Spanish Universities: Analysis of Websites, Scientific Papers and Impact in Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-21, October.
    15. Jurgita Lenkauskaitė & Jordi Colomer & Remigijus Bubnys, 2020. "Students’ Social Construction of Knowledge through Cooperative Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-24, November.
    16. Anirban Chakraborty & Sumit Kumar & L. S. Shashidhara & Anjali Taneja, 2021. "Building Sustainable Societies through Purpose-Driven Universities: A Case Study from Ashoka University (India)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, July.
    17. Nicola Andreij Rieg & Birgitta Gatersleben & Ian Christie, 2023. "Driving Change towards Sustainability in Public Bodies and Civil Society Organisations: Expert Interviews with UK Practitioners," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    18. Muhammad Noman Malik & Huma Hayat Khan & Abdoulmohammad Gholamzadeh Chofreh & Feybi Ariani Goni & Jiří Jaromír Klemeš & Youseef Alotaibi, 2019. "Investigating Students’ Sustainability Awareness and the Curriculum of Technology Education in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-18, May.

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