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Developing and Validating Sustainability Indicators for Measuring Social Impact of University–Community Engagement Programs

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  • Pongpan Compan

    (School of Education and Liberal Arts, Walailak University, 222, Thaiburi, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand)

  • Chanakamol Kongyok

    (School of Education and Liberal Arts, Walailak University, 222, Thaiburi, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand)

  • Thongchai Prommachan

    (School of Education and Liberal Arts, Walailak University, 222, Thaiburi, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand)

  • Nuchanart Rodsaard

    (School of Education and Liberal Arts, Walailak University, 222, Thaiburi, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand)

  • Mam Socheath

    (Faculty of Education, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Toul Kork, Phnom Penh 120404, Cambodia)

Abstract

Universities are becoming more closely associated with communities, with many embracing a third mission as part of their recognized mission of sustainable development. Since holistic indicators are essential to measuring the post-intervention social impact of university–community engagement programs toward sustainable development, this study developed and validated a comprehensive set of sustainability indicators that would help universities conduct a meaningful measurement of social impact. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from 310 professionals and stakeholders in the Khanab Nak community in the Pak Phanang River Basin, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. The collected data were analyzed using a five-stage process, including data reliability and validity, descriptive statistics, differences in group opinions, principal component analysis, model testing, and confirmatory factor analysis for fit statistics. As a result, 15 indicators were identified after synthesizing the common indicators from the sustainable development goals. The indicators were divided into three groups using exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis supported these findings with model fit indices, construct validity, and high reliability, as demonstrated below, i.e., social challenges, economic growth, and sustainable living. The practical implementation of the study’s findings could broaden the perspective of universities on promoting sustainable development goals and incorporating them into strategic plans to build capacity for scaling up engagement activities for community development.

Suggested Citation

  • Pongpan Compan & Chanakamol Kongyok & Thongchai Prommachan & Nuchanart Rodsaard & Mam Socheath, 2024. "Developing and Validating Sustainability Indicators for Measuring Social Impact of University–Community Engagement Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5232-:d:1418435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ericka Costa & Caterina Pesci, 2016. "Social impact measurement: why do stakeholders matter?," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 7(1), pages 99-124, March.
    2. Simona Fiandrino & Francesco Scarpa & Riccardo Torelli, 2022. "Fostering Social Impact Through Corporate Implementation of the SDGs: Transformative Mechanisms Towards Interconnectedness and Inclusiveness," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 959-973, November.
    3. Paulo Guilherme Fuchs & Carla Patrícia Finatto & Robert Samuel Birch & Ana Regina de Aguiar Dutra & José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra, 2023. "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Latin-American Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Muhammad Setiawan Kusmulyono & Wawan Dhewanto & Melia Famiola, 2023. "Energizing Higher Education Sustainability through Rural-Community Development Activation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Anna Bogedain & Rüdiger Hamm, 2020. "Strengthening local economy – an example of higher education institutions’ engagement in “co-creation for sustainability”," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 7, pages 9-27.
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