University social responsibility strategy: a case study

Abstract

University Social Responsibility (USR), as an innovative management approach in the university environment, has given Higher Education Institutions the opportunity to strengthen their commitment to society. In this context, the present study focuses on the evaluation of a decentralization strategy, taking as a case study the "U en mi barrio" program of the Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano (ITM), with the purpose of benefiting communities in vulnerable situations in Medellin Colombia. The central objective is to analyze the perception of these beneficiaries regarding USR, focusing on the relevance of said program. To carry out this research, a survey was administered to a group of 242 students who participated in the program. The collected data were analyzed using a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The results obtained reveal that the perception of the impact of the program as a USR strategy implemented by the ITM is substantially influenced by the effectiveness of the internal management of the program and the results generated in terms of research. These findings suggest the importance of focusing on university marketing strategies to promote and disseminate these strategic actions, with the aim of strengthening the promotion of responsible and sustainable education in the city.

Keywords:

• Decentralization
• social responsibility
• higher education
• educational strategies
• factor analysis

Reviewing Editor:

• Stephen Darwin, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile

Subjects:

• Higher Education
• Higher Education Management
• Study of Higher Education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alejandro Valencia-Arias

Alejandro Valencia-Arias Professor Valencia-Arias received the Ph.D. degree in Management Engineering in 2018 from the National University of Colombia, the Master of Sciences degree in Computer Sciences in 2013 and Bs. Eng degree in Management Engineering in 2010. He has twelve years of experience as a university professor. He has published in his areas of interest, and among his offerings are three books and over 85 journal articles in national and international indexed journals (h-index in Scopus:14). Prof. Valencia-Arias has the distinction of Senior Researcher of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias) in Colombia. He is a distinguished researcher at RENACYT (Peru). His research includes entrepreneurship, simulation, marketing research, and statistical science. He has experience in agent-based modeling and system dynamics, especially in the development of social models.

Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa

Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa Professor Paula Andrea Rodríguez Correa is a Technology Administrator and has a master’s degree in Management of Technological Innovation, Cooperation and Regional Development. She has published articles in areas of interest such as entrepreneurial intention, technology adoption, and educational inclusion of Deaf students. Professor Rodríguez-Correa is a prominent researcher at RENACYT (Peru).

Alejandro Marín-Carmona

Alejandro Marín-Carmona Alejandro Marin Carmona, Master’s degree in Marketing from Esumer in 2013, specialist in research and pedagogy from the University of La Sabana in 2003, and business administrator from the Pontifical Bolivarian University in 2005. With over 10 years of experience in the business sector and over 20 years in education.

Jorge Iván Zuleta-Orrego

Jorge Iván Zuleta is an Administrative Engineer, master’s in digital transformation and master’s in computer science. He has published articles in areas of interest such as technologies for higher education and digital tools to reduce business failure in microenterprises in the city of Medellín. Professor Zuleta is a researcher in the Administrative Sciences group of the ITM – Medellin, 2023.

Lucia Palacios-Moya

Lucia Palacios-Moya Professor Palacios-Moya Lucia. Health manager, public health master and phd student in management. She is associate researcherof the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MinCiencias) in Colombia and distinguished researcher at RENACYT (Peru). Her research includes health public, health management, sustainibility in healthcare secto, chronic and infectious diseases.

Cesar Alexander Pérez Baquedano

Cesar Perez Baquedano Lawyer, Specialist in Basic Quality Conditions at the University Señor de Sipán, and Master of Civil and Procedural Civil Law from the University Señor de Sipán. Among his research areas are University Social Responsibility, educational law, and environmental law.

Ada Gallegos

Ada Gallegos Ada Gallegos is a university lecturer and researcher. She holds a Doctorate in Government and Public Policies as well as a Doctorate in Education. Her specialization in Public Affairs was completed as a Fulbright scholar through the Hubert Humphrey program, certified by then-President of the United States, Barack Obama. As a dedicated researcher, she leads research teams composed of both national and international scholars. On an international level, she serves as the Chair of the Board for the Consortium for Women Leaders in Public Service (CWLPS), headquartered in Washington DC.