Investigating the interconnection between financial performance and eco-efficiency in British universities: a roadmap towards sustainable higher education.
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| Title: | Investigating the interconnection between financial performance and eco-efficiency in British universities: a roadmap towards sustainable higher education. |
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| Authors: | Ragazou, Konstantina (AUTHOR), Sariannidis, Nikolaos (AUTHOR), Zopounidis, Constantin (AUTHOR), Roubaud, David (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Studies in Higher Education. Nov2025, Vol. 50 Issue 11, p2602-2630. 29p. |
| Subjects: | Financial performance, Sustainable development, Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations), Environmental education, Climate change, Quantile regression, Economic efficiency, Universities & colleges, Data envelopment analysis |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | The focus on climate change has heightened interest in eco-efficiency as a fundamental element of sustainable development. This paper has three main objectives: (i) to assess the eco-efficiency performance of British universities, which is a unique analysis in this field; (ii) to examine the impact of financial and non-financial indicators on their environmental performance score; and (iii) to emphasize the importance of adopting eco-efficient and sustainable practices in line with key policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 and Responsible Investing. Universities have a restricted comprehension of the idea and quantification of eco-efficiency. Therefore, the uniqueness of this study lies in its quantification of the eco-efficiency performance of British establishments and its examination of the impact of both monetary and non-monetary factors. This study applies a mixed methodology, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and quantile regression analysis, to address the research objective. We retrieved data for the analysis from the official Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) of the United Kingdom for the academic years 2015/2016–2020/2021, and the analysis encompassed all 160 British academic institutions. Findings show that Welsh institutions appear to be the most ecologically efficient in Britain. Additionally, there is data suggesting that eco-efficiency has a positive impact on liquidity financial indicators. Moreover, spin-offs from higher education institutions exert the most advantageous impact on the sustainable and environmentally friendly financial performance of universities, especially in non-financial aspects. These insights can also assist investors in comprehending the influence of financial and non-financial factors on the eco-efficiency of average and other distribution levels. This study assesses the eco-efficiency of universities and suggests strategies to ensure their long-term sustainability, addressing a gap in the existing body of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The focus on climate change has heightened interest in eco-efficiency as a fundamental element of sustainable development. This paper has three main objectives: (i) to assess the eco-efficiency performance of British universities, which is a unique analysis in this field; (ii) to examine the impact of financial and non-financial indicators on their environmental performance score; and (iii) to emphasize the importance of adopting eco-efficient and sustainable practices in line with key policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 and Responsible Investing. Universities have a restricted comprehension of the idea and quantification of eco-efficiency. Therefore, the uniqueness of this study lies in its quantification of the eco-efficiency performance of British establishments and its examination of the impact of both monetary and non-monetary factors. This study applies a mixed methodology, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and quantile regression analysis, to address the research objective. We retrieved data for the analysis from the official Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) of the United Kingdom for the academic years 2015/2016–2020/2021, and the analysis encompassed all 160 British academic institutions. Findings show that Welsh institutions appear to be the most ecologically efficient in Britain. Additionally, there is data suggesting that eco-efficiency has a positive impact on liquidity financial indicators. Moreover, spin-offs from higher education institutions exert the most advantageous impact on the sustainable and environmentally friendly financial performance of universities, especially in non-financial aspects. These insights can also assist investors in comprehending the influence of financial and non-financial factors on the eco-efficiency of average and other distribution levels. This study assesses the eco-efficiency of universities and suggests strategies to ensure their long-term sustainability, addressing a gap in the existing body of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 03075079 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/03075079.2024.2443035 |
