University social responsibility: design and validation of a scale from the perspective of Peruvian students

Abstract

The objective of this research study is to design and validate a scale that allows examining Peruvian students’ perceptions of university social responsibility (USR). To design the scale, a content analysis literature review is conducted on the topic of university social responsibility. Based on this, a scale is proposed and then submitted to expert judgment validation. Then, an exploratory factor analysis and an internal consistency assessment are applied. The result is a scale containing the following dimensions: 1) broad and transformative academic training, 2) socio-environmental links, 3) research with a social focus, and 4) institutional management and transformative administration. It is concluded that the perceptions of USR of the students from Perú is of great relevance because it allows designing strategies, policies, programs and practices that can contribute to the needs of students, besides the problems that may exist in the society.