Sustainable facility development: perceived benefits and challenges
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 5 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceived benefits and challenges of implementing sustainable initiatives in collegiate recreational sports facilities. Additionally, this paper intends to contribute to the evolving field of facility sustainability in higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
The design included qualitative research methods that allowed respondents to elaborate on perceived benefits and challenges. Respondents consisted of directors of campus recreation departments at National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association member institutions. Content analysis served as the method for analyzing and categorizing the data.
Findings
Six categories of perceived benefits became distinguishable, including Educational, Environmental, Ethical, Fiscal and Operational. Eight categories of perceived challenges emerged after responses were analyzed, including Administrative, Attitudinal, Commitment, Educational, Facility, and Fiscal. The majority of respondents indicated Fiscal demands as being the top challenge when it comes to implementing sustainable initiatives. Common themes arose from the responses and were sorted within their respective category.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the evolving field of sustainability by providing some data regarding recreational sports facilities in higher education. Administrators, particularly those in Student Affairs, Facilities Management and Campus Recreation can benefit from this paper by assessing their respective institution’s current view of sustainability and by proactively determining a strategy to combat the potential challenges identified. Additionally, identifying perceived benefits can help equip facility directors and executives with justification and rationale for moving toward sustainable facility design and operation.
Keywords
Citation
Stinnett, B. and Gibson, F. (2016), "Sustainable facility development: perceived benefits and challenges", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 601-612. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2014-0133
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited