Seminar - Cecilio Mar

Cecilio Mar (University of Kent) will present his paper “The diffusion of information on social responsibility and sustainability by Spanish universities”, joint work with Fabiola Portillo Pérez de Viñaspre (Universidad de La Rioja).

Abstract 

 The principal objective of this research is to explore the way in which Spanish state universities report their activities in the areas of Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SR&S). For a sample of 22 state universities, we have studied their SR&S plans and reports, as well as relevant internet web pages. The aim being to assess the accessibility and structure of the information released. The analysis has been structured using the Conceptual Maps approach of the so-called “Soft Systems Methodology” of Operational Research. This has resulted in the development of a checklist of 38 questions. The answers to these questions have been analysed using the tools of multivariate statistical analysis. The results show that three principal aspects can be identified when exploring the way in which Spanish universities make public their commitment with SR&S. The first aspect is an overall measure of commitment with SR&S. The second aspect explores if the information being diffused is of an external or internal character. The third aspect is related to the commitment to SR&S within the campus. The paper ends with some recommendations for the management of SR&S in Spanish universities.