Sustainability indicators for the management of Brazilian higher education institutions

Abstract

This paper discusses a set of sustainability indicators applied to Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEINS) to serve as a tool for measuring and disclosing sustainability practices and actions. Methodologically, a qualitative study was carried out with data collected via triangulation (semi-structured interviews, documentary research, and observations) and submitted to content analysis. As a result, it proposes the creation of an academic category consisting of four subcategories – institutional, university management, financial, and social and environmental responsibility. This category and its subcategories include a set of sustainability indicators that enable the measurement and disclosure of the sustainability practices and actions of HEINS using a mixed-method design (quantitative and qualitative) and complementary evaluation strategies. From a managerial standpoint, research results provide the management of HEINS with tools to assess institutional performance quantitatively and qualitatively based on multiple evaluation criteria. Regarding the social aspect, this set of indicators provides society with means to assess the sustainability practices and actions of HEINS, as well as their economic, social, environmental, and academic implications. The proposal of such indicators is unique in the Brazilian context and it can potentially introduce practices for measurement and disclosure of sustainability practices and actions of HEINS.