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Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions through Sustainability Circles Approach: A UAE Case Study

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Title: Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions through Sustainability Circles Approach: A UAE Case Study
Language: English
Authors: Zehra Canan Araci, Ridvan Aydin, Imad Alsyouf, Khaled Obaideen, Bushra Hussein Al Jaberi
Source: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2026 27(3):693-713.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Sustainability, Higher Education, Foreign Countries, Communities of Practice, Institutional Evaluation, Measurement, Universities, College Students, College Faculty, College Administration, School Personnel
Geographic Terms: United Arab Emirates
DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0557
ISSN: 1467-6370
1758-6739
Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to propose a plan-do-check-act-oriented framework for implementing the "Sustainability circles" (SCs) approach to achieve sustainability excellence within higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach: The SCs approach, derived from the quality circles concept, involves groups of individuals working together to promote sustainability within HEIs. This paper demonstrates the application of this approach through a case study of the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, establishing clear links between sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Universitas Indonesia (UI) GreenMetric Ranking System and SCs. Findings: The case study revealed that SCs significantly impacted the achievement of SDGs and improved the university's rankings in the UI GreenMetric within a short period. The SC approach effectively engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including students, academic and administrative staff. Research limitations/implications: By involving students, faculty and administrative staff in SCs, HEIs can embed sustainability into their institutional culture, developing new ideas and innovative solutions. The SCs approach effectively increases the number of points gained from respective sustainability ranking systems and their evaluation categories, showcasing its strength and novelty in driving engagement and sustainability excellence. Practical implications: The SC approach provides HEIs with a structured method to overcome sustainability challenges by fostering collaboration, innovation and stakeholder engagement. This framework can accelerate the achievement of SDGs and enhance sustainability practices within HEIs. Social implications: The SCs approach impacts the society by equipping students with sustainability awareness and critical problem-solving skills to address real-world sustainability challenges. Consequently, these students take an active part in developing a more aware, engaged and proactive society. Originality/value: This paper introduces an innovative application of the quality circles concept to sustainability within HEIs, addressing the significant challenge of integrating and involving both top-level leadership and bottom-level stakeholders. The proposed SC approach effectively bridges this gap by combining top-down and bottom-up strategies, fostering collaboration and engagement across all levels. This novel framework demonstrates how HEIs can overcome barriers to sustainability implementation, ensuring comprehensive participation and accelerating the achievement of SDGs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503504
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
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  Data: Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions through Sustainability Circles Approach: A UAE Case Study
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zehra+Canan+Araci%22">Zehra Canan Araci</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ridvan+Aydin%22">Ridvan Aydin</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Imad+Alsyouf%22">Imad Alsyouf</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Khaled+Obaideen%22">Khaled Obaideen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bushra+Hussein+Al+Jaberi%22">Bushra Hussein Al Jaberi</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Sustainability+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 27(3):693-713.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 21
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communities+of+Practice%22">Communities of Practice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+Evaluation%22">Institutional Evaluation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Measurement%22">Measurement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Administration%22">College Administration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Personnel%22">School Personnel</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Arab+Emirates%22">United Arab Emirates</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0557
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1467-6370<br />1758-6739
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This paper aims to propose a plan-do-check-act-oriented framework for implementing the "Sustainability circles" (SCs) approach to achieve sustainability excellence within higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach: The SCs approach, derived from the quality circles concept, involves groups of individuals working together to promote sustainability within HEIs. This paper demonstrates the application of this approach through a case study of the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, establishing clear links between sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Universitas Indonesia (UI) GreenMetric Ranking System and SCs. Findings: The case study revealed that SCs significantly impacted the achievement of SDGs and improved the university's rankings in the UI GreenMetric within a short period. The SC approach effectively engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including students, academic and administrative staff. Research limitations/implications: By involving students, faculty and administrative staff in SCs, HEIs can embed sustainability into their institutional culture, developing new ideas and innovative solutions. The SCs approach effectively increases the number of points gained from respective sustainability ranking systems and their evaluation categories, showcasing its strength and novelty in driving engagement and sustainability excellence. Practical implications: The SC approach provides HEIs with a structured method to overcome sustainability challenges by fostering collaboration, innovation and stakeholder engagement. This framework can accelerate the achievement of SDGs and enhance sustainability practices within HEIs. Social implications: The SCs approach impacts the society by equipping students with sustainability awareness and critical problem-solving skills to address real-world sustainability challenges. Consequently, these students take an active part in developing a more aware, engaged and proactive society. Originality/value: This paper introduces an innovative application of the quality circles concept to sustainability within HEIs, addressing the significant challenge of integrating and involving both top-level leadership and bottom-level stakeholders. The proposed SC approach effectively bridges this gap by combining top-down and bottom-up strategies, fostering collaboration and engagement across all levels. This novel framework demonstrates how HEIs can overcome barriers to sustainability implementation, ensuring comprehensive participation and accelerating the achievement of SDGs.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0557
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 693
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Communities of Practice
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      – SubjectFull: School Personnel
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      – SubjectFull: United Arab Emirates
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions through Sustainability Circles Approach: A UAE Case Study
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