Relationship between leadership, sustainable practices and green behaviour of students in higher education institutions
The mediating role of sustainability policy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21721366 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Priyanka Aggarwal (0000-0002-7486-2012, Dr B.R. Ambedkar University School of Management, , Delhi), Tanuja Agarwala (0000-0003-0060-1028, University of Delhi Faculty of Management Studies, , Delhi) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 845-863 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-24 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1467-6370 • E-ISSN: 1758-6739 |
| Publisher | Emerald (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1108/ijshe-08-2024-0586 |
| OpenAlex | W4408725555 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 59 |
Purpose Higher education institutions (HEI) are crucial in establishing the foundation for sustainable development. Academic faculty and institutional leaders are considered the key educators, shaping students who are viewed as future leaders. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between HEI leadership, sustainability policy, sustainable practices and green behaviour of students. It also examines the mediating role of sustainability policy in the relationship between HEI leadership and green behaviour of students. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative exploratory research approach. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey among 503 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in full-time degree programs in select universities located in Delhi NCR. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results found that HEI leadership significantly influenced sustainability policy and the implementation of sustainable practices within universities. Additionally, sustainability policy was found to mediate the relationship between HEI leadership and sustainable practices. The integration of sustainable practices in HEI is seen to foster the development of green behaviour among students. The findings are interpreted through the lens of conservation of resource theory and theory of planned behaviour. Practical implications The study suggests that adopting and implementing sustainable practices can help students develop environmental awareness. Students transform to become environmentally conscious citizens who can drive sustainable initiatives and contribute towards global environmental goals. Originality/value This study is the first to investigate the relationship between HEI leadership, sustainability policy, sustainable practices and green behaviour of students. It provides pioneer empirical evidence that can guide leaders in implementing sustainable initiatives, promoting responsible resource use and fostering a sustainability-focused culture
Environmental education · Environmental ethics · Higher education · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Environmental Sustainability in Business · Sustainability in Higher Education · Ecology
Structural barriers to climate and environmental education in Mediterranean universities
Green inclusive leadership and food waste behavior among students in higher education institutions
Relationship between university social responsibility and sustainable development goals in higher education
From knowledge to action
Predicting green hotel behavioral intentions using a theory of environmental commitment and sacrifice for the environment
How to Write Up and Report PLS Analyses
Greening due to environmental education? Environmental knowledge, attitudes, consumer behavior and everyday pro-environmental activities of Hungarian high school and university students
Universities as the engine of transformational sustainability toward delivering the sustainable development goals
Sustainability at universities
University culture and sustainability
Connecting Competences and Pedagogical Approaches for Sustainable Development in Higher Education
Partial least squares path modeling
Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research
Corporate sustainability and organizational culture
A predictive approach to the random effect model
Marketing survey research best practices
From Intentions to Actions
Common method biases in behavioral research
Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models
Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage
Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
Sustainable leadership in higher education institutions
How university students are taught about sustainability, and how they want to be taught
Research on sustainability leadership in higher education
Towards Higher Education for Sustainable Development in BRICS
Leader Role Crafting and the Functions of Leader Role Identities
Mind the Gap
Sustainable university research and development
Monitoring SDG 4.7
Greening organizations through leaders' influence on employees' pro‐environmental behaviors
The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research
Social and Psychological Resources and Adaptation
| Citations per year | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |