Abstract
This research addresses the issue of social responsibility in higher education institutions in the Laja-Bajío region of the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, from the perspective of managers and their stakeholders. The research objectives were to delimit the dimensions of social responsibility for the institutions studied. The second was to identify the best social responsibility practices in these universities. The research was approached from a qualitative approach, carried out under a grounded theory design, in a multiple case study. The four substantive functions through which this construct is implemented are among the main findings. The most relevant topics for the institutions were institutional management and programs and projects. Best practices were identified as values-based leadership, an educational model to form upright citizens, inter-institutional collaboration, and attention to vulnerable groups.
TopIntroduction
In the last decades of the 20th century, concerns about climate change and inequality have led leaders of nations and non-governmental organizations to rethink the fossil fuel-based approach to development, which has proven to be ineffective. In its place, a new development model is proposed that addresses the needs of today without compromising those of future generations (ISO 2600, 2010).
In 2010, the ISO 26000 standard was established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as a guide for companies to adopt a sustainable approach to their development, taking into account all parties involved. Thus arose the concept of social responsibility, which implies the production of goods and services that meet customers' demands and consider their environmental impact, commitment to the community, compliance with government regulations, and workers' quality of life.
In education, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are expected to assume an ethical and socially committed role, transforming the communities in which they operate and educating responsible citizens (UNESCO, 1998). As they face global pressures, HEIs are challenged to address complex problems that afflict the world. The United Nations urges universities in member countries to contribute to the 17 sustainable development goals through multidisciplinary and cross-cutting research, integrating social responsibility and other relevant issues into educational programs and institutional policies (UNESCO, 2017).
The Laja-Bajío region in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, consists of nine municipalities. This region is known for its economic growth and dynamic environment. According to the National Institute of Geography and Informatics (INEGI), the GDP of this region increased above the national average in 2015. Additionally, it is home to 17.9% of the State's population. The city of Celaya had 47.2% of the total population of the area and a higher education enrollment of more than 16,000 people enrolled in 47 institutions, of which 60% were financed with public resources and 40% with private resources. However, the State faces significant challenges, such as poverty, as the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL) reported 42% in 2015, with extreme poverty at 3.8%.
In this way, the present research answered the questions:
- 1.
What are the dimensions covered by the social responsibility of the universities in the Laja-Bajío region according to their stakeholders?
- 2.
What are the best practices regarding the social responsibility of universities in the Laja-Bajío region?
Key Terms in this Chapter
Best Practices in Social Responsibility: Strategies, programs, and projects carried out by universities that constitute an example to follow.
Dimensions of Social Responsibility: Relevant aspects that universities take into account to fulfill the objectives of university social responsibility.
University Social Responsibility: The ability and effectiveness of higher education institutions to train individuals who positively impact the solution of the challenges of their social, economic, and environmental surroundings.