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Recent trends in sustainability reporting by German universities
[Aktuelle Trends in der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung deutscher Universitäten]

Author

Listed:
  • Leyla Azizi

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Colin Bien

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Remmer Sassen

    (University of Hamburg)

Abstract

Voluntary sustainability reporting in the higher-education sector is still in its early stages. To better understand it, we looked at all 401 German universities to examine the specific contents of disclosure; methodologically, we applied content analysis using a university-specific indicator system. This study covers 40 sustainability reports that were published by 21 universities prior to August 2016. The results provide insights into recent trends in universities’ voluntary sustainability reporting by comparing the current results to international studies as well as an earlier study using the same population, which was published in 2014. Our findings indicate significant differences in reporting as well as an overall trend towards a broader and deeper coverage of reported content. In general, there is a strong focus on the university dimension, whereas the social dimension attracts much weaker attention. The reason for such emphasis on the university dimension can be traced back to self-profiling or attracting potential students and young scientists as well as to foster a positive public perception, for example, to increase the chances to acquire third-party funding.

Suggested Citation

  • Leyla Azizi & Colin Bien & Remmer Sassen, 2018. "Recent trends in sustainability reporting by German universities [Aktuelle Trends in der Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung deutscher Universitäten]," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 65-85, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sumafo:v:26:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s00550-018-0469-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s00550-018-0469-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dagilienė, Lina & Mykolaitienė, Violeta, 2016. "Sustainability reporting in the higher education sector – Case study of Lithuania," ZögU - Zeitschrift für öffentliche und gemeinwirtschaftliche Unternehmen, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 39(1-2), pages 163-174.
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    3. Benedetta Siboni & Carlotta del Sordo & Silvia Pazzi, 2013. "Sustainability Reporting in State Universities: An Investigation of Italian Pioneering Practices," International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), IGI Global, vol. 4(2), pages 1-15, April.
    4. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    5. Ben R. Martin, 2012. "Are universities and university research under threat? Towards an evolutionary model of university speciation," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 36(3), pages 543-565.
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    1. Gloria Fiorani & Chiara Di Gerio, 2022. "Reporting University Performance through the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda: Lessons Learned from Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.

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