Title: Drivers and barriers of University Social Responsibility: integration into strategic plans

Authors: Elva Lizeth Ramos-Monge; Xavier Llinàs-Audet; Jesús Barrena-Martínez

Addresses: Department of Management, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain ' Department of Management, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain ' Department of Business Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain

Abstract: The implementation of University Social Responsibility (USR) in its strategic plans is a subject of great social interest. However, the lack of understanding produces deficient stakeholder's engagement, obstructing USR applications and potential benefits. USR in a formal context and as part of strategy should be a path that leads to its fulfilment. A Delphi method was used and several experts have participated in it. Results show that USR is related to student's issues, among main drivers are to work under a code of ethics and acquire civic competences as a part of their vocational training. Among barriers to be involved in social responsibility activities is the lack of engagement of university community. The insufficient communication into the university community is mentioned as one of the main obstacles to incorporate USR into strategic planning. Relevance of this work relies on the holistic points of views of the results.

Keywords: University Social Responsibility; USR; Delphi method; strategic management; strategic plan; stakeholders theory.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2019.098475

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2019 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.174 - 201

Received: 22 Jun 2017
Accepted: 03 Aug 2017
Published online: 25 Mar 2019 *

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