DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jsp.0.31714

Designing a Framework towards Sustainability Leadership in a Higher Education Institution: A Case Study of Gulf University, Bahrain

*Omar Blibech orcid  -  Architectural and Interior Design Engineering Department College of Engineering, Gulf University, Kingdom of Bahrain., Bahrain
Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 Omar Blibech
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Citation Format:
Abstract

This research deliberates the design and implementation of a sustainability leadership framework in a higher education institution. Recognizing the critical role HEIs play in fostering sustainable development, the research aims to identify effective leadership initiatives and strategies that promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability on campus. The research is methodologically grounded in a qualitative case study approach, as the data were collected through developed projects and documents’ analysis and designed actions to assess the current state of sustainability initiatives and leadership practices at Gulf University, Bahrain. Based on the findings, a comprehensive framework emphasizing the design process, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, design decisions, infrastructure settings and integrated governance is subjected. The proposed framework is aimed at examining a range of challenges and opportunities about how institutional leaders and HEIs can embed sustainability into their core missions, fostering a culture of responsible innovation, and enabling measurable progress toward sustainability goals. The case study reflects the results as valuable insights for policymakers, academic leaders, and sustainability practitioners seeking to advance sustainable practices within higher education settings.

Fulltext Email colleagues

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Articles
Language : EN
  1. Ferdig M.A. Sustainability leadership: Co-creating a sustainable future. J. Change Manag. Int. J. 2007, 7, 25-35
  2. Lynch B.M, McCormack B, McCance T. Development of a model of situational leadership in residential care for older people. J. Nurs. Manag. 2011, 19, 1058–1069
  3. Avery C, Bergsteiner H. Sustainable leadership practices for enhancing business resilience and performance, Emeraldinsight, 2011, Strategy & Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878571111128766
  4. Broman G, Robèrt K-H, Collins T.J, Basile G, Baumgartner R.J, Larsson T, Huisingh D. Science in support of systematic leadership towards sustainability. J. Clean. Prod. 2017, 140, 1-9
  5. Griggs D, Stafford-Smith M, Gaffney O, Rockström J, Öhman M.C, Shyamsundar P, Steffen W, Glaser G, Kanie N, Noble I. Sustainable development goals for people and planet. Nature 2013, 495, 305-307
  6. Gill S, Singh G. Developing inclusive and quality learning environments in HEIs. Int. J. Educ. Manag. 2019, ahead-of-print
  7. Leiserowitz A.A, Kates R.W, Parris T.M. Sustainability Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors: A Review of Multinational and Global Trends. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 2006, 31, 413-444
  8. Krizek K.J, Newport D, White J, Townsend A.R. Higher education's sustainability imperative: How to practically respond? Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ. 2012, 13, 19–33
  9. Randel A.E, Galvin B.M, Shore L.M, Ehrhart K.H, Chung B.G, Dean M.A, Kedharnath U. Inclusive leadership: Realizing positive outcomes through belongingness and being valued for uniqueness. Hum. Resour. Manag. Rev. 2018, 28, 190–203
  10. Biasutti M, Makrakis V, Concina E, Frate S. Educating academic staff to reorient curricula in ESD. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ. 2018, 19, 179-196
  11. Antonakis J, Avolio B.J, Sivasubramaniam N. Context and leadership: An examination of the nine-factor full-range leadership theory using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. Leadersh. Q. 2003, 14, 261–295
  12. Strand R. Strategic Leadership of Corporate Sustainability. J. Bus. Ethics 2014, 123, 687–706
  13. Lozano R, Lukman R, Lozano F.J, Huisingh D, Lambrechts W. Declarations for sustainability in higher education: Becoming better leaders, through addressing the university system. J. Clean. Prod. 2013, 48, 10–19
  14. Sanders N.R, Wood J.D. Foundations of Sustainable Business: Theory, Function, and Strategy; John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2015; ISBN 978-1-119-57755-3
  15. Borges J.C, Ferreira T.C, Sala O.T.M, Unglaub D.L, Caldana A.C.F. Student organizations and Communities of Practice: Actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Int. J. Manag. Educ. 2017, 15, 172-182
  16. Broman G, Robèrt K.-H, Collins T.J, Basile G, Baumgartner R.J, Larsson T, Huisingh D. Science in support of systematic leadership towards sustainability. J. Clean. Prod. 2017, 140, 1-9
  17. Ploum L.; Blok, V.; Lans, T.; Omta, O. Toward a Validated Competence Framework for Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Organ. Environ. 2018, 31, 113-132
  18. Gill S, Singh G. Developing inclusive and quality learning environments in HEIs. Int. J. Educ. Manag. 2019, 34(5), 823–836
  19. Burns H, Miller W. The Learning Gardens Laboratory: Teaching Sustainability and Developing Sustainable Food Systems Through Unique Partnerships. J. Agric. Food Syst. Community Dev. 2012, 2, 69–78
  20. Gill, S.; Singh, G. Developing inclusive and quality learning environments in HEIs. JO - Academy of Management Proceedings. 10.5465/AMBPP.2019.10197
  21. Shawe, R.; Horan, W.; Moles, R.; O'Regan, B. Mapping of sustainability policies and initiatives in higher education institutes. Environ. Sci. Policy 2019, 99, 80–88
  22. Van Weenen, H. Towards a vision of a sustainable university. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ. 2000, 1, 20–34
  23. Del Mar Alonso-Almeida, M.; Marimon, F.; Casani, F.; Rodriguez-Pomeda, J. Diffusion of sustainability reporting in universities: Current situation and future perspectives. J. Clean. Prod. 2015, 106, 144–154
  24. Kotter, J.P. Force For Change: How Leadership Differs from Management; Simon and Schuster: New York, NY, USA, 2008; ISBN 978-1-4391-3599-0

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update:

No citation recorded.