Online sustainability reporting at universities: the case of Hong Kong

An, Yi;Davey, Howard;Harun, Harun;Jin, Zebin;Qiao, Xin;Yu, Qun

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of online sustainability reporting in the Hong Kong higher education sector from a variety of perspectives. The multiple case study was the research method for this research. Content analysis of the university website, as well as interview with university management, personnel in the sustainability office, academics and students, were adopted for data collection. An assessment framework for sustainability reporting was developed as an instrument for content analysis, based on G4 guidelines and prior literature. The authors observe that most Hong Kong public universities have a specific webpage for sustainability reporting on the website, which consists of an amount of sustainability-related information in terms of general aspects, specific aspects and stakeholder participation. Moreover, they notice that Hong Kong public universities attach importance to sustainability and its reporting, and they would like to communicate their sustainability activities to various stakeholders and the community where they operate. This paper indicates some practical implications for academics, university management, policymakers and sustainability education amongst universities in Hong Kong and beyond.

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Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal

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2040-803X

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Emerald Group Publishing

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DOI

10.1108/SAMPJ-06-2018-0161