Sustainability: an Approach to the Perceptions of Higher Education Teachers

Abstract

The research aims to identify the teachers’ perceptions related to the sustainability theme of a higher education institution in Chapecó (SC). As for the methodological characteristics, the study is characterized as descriptive, carried out through a survey, with questionnaires applied to the sample composed of 97 teachers working at the institution. The results show that 54.9% of the respondents relate sustainability to environmental approach, 33.8% relate to social issues, while 11.3% consider the economic-financial approach. As for the concept, 72.2% consider that sustainability involves the concern and joint actions that comprise economic, financial, environmental and social performance. Among the concerns and goals of organizations, 74.5% of the sample shows the quality of products or services; 67.0% consider the conscious and responsible consumption of natural resources; 64,0% show the use of clean technologies as an important factor for the organizational context. We highlight the importance of discussions about sustainability, especially in the academic environment, to raise awareness of the objectives of sustainable development.

Keywords

• sustentabilidade
• desenvolvimento sustentável
• ensino superior