FHNW Sustainability Navigator
The FHNW is committed to addressing environmental and societal concerns across its fourfold performance mandate and nine colleges.
Acikkol, Gülce & JRawyler, Julia, 2023
Art der Arbeit Bachelor Thesis
Auftraggebende Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Betreuende Dozierende Fuduric, Nikolina
Keywords A Sustainability Platform for the FHNW
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However, the absence of a platform providing an overview of its expertise and sustainability initiatives affects the visibility of this commitment. In response, the idea of a "Sustainability Navigator" emerged. This visionary digital community platform is intended to centralize various sustainability offerings, foster interdisciplinary collaboration through facilitated knowledge dissemination, and promote sustainability within and beyond the university.
This bachelor thesis aims to provide preliminary insights and recommendations for the platform's prototype. The External Market Analysis examines through three interviews how other universities address sustainability and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The Internal FHNW Analysis follows a case study approach with the School of Engineering and the School of Business. Respective knowledge processes are explored through seven faculty member interviews. Desk research deciphers the sustainability offerings in the performance mandates, and a survey identifies the needs of 230 stakeholders.
Externally, the findings indicate that other universities address sustainability by means of dedicated offices with multiple full-time equivalents backed by financial resources and managerial support. Interdisciplinary collaboration appears to be promoted through specialized programs and synergistic partnerships with other regional institutions. Technology does not emerge as a foremost priority. Internally, the results suggest no universal approach to sustainability knowledge management, despite minor overlap within and between colleges. In addition, while a total of 82 sustainability-related offerings are identified, the number, character, and distribution vary across mandates and colleges. Finally, while no internal stakeholder needs seem to require immediate attention for the platform, there is a distinct trend against a feature for localizing sustainability professionals.
Overall, the FHNW should emphasize making its definition for sustainability more visible, promoting collaborative opportunities, and cultivating a culture of knowledge sharing. Lastly, the university should ensure consistency in platform design and content while maintaining a streamlined process for updates.
Studiengang: Business Administration International Management (Bachelor)
Vertraulichkeit: vertraulich