Alice Arinaitwe, Fiona Apofia Aikiriza, John Bosco Kakooza and Vincent Bagire
This study investigates the nexus of top management commitment and institutional pressures towards enhancing sustainable energy consumption in African Higher Institutions of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the nexus of top management commitment and institutional pressures towards enhancing sustainable energy consumption in African Higher Institutions of Learning.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 64 higher institutions of learning registered with the Uganda National Council for Higher Education were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Findings
The findings revealed that top management commitment and institutional pressures individually associate with sustainable energy consumption. Top management commitment does not cause variations in sustainable energy consumption. However, when top management commitment coalesces with institutional pressures, they significantly predict sustainable energy consumption.
Research limitations/implications
The current study focuses on Higher Institutions of Learning in Uganda. Hence caution should be taken before generalization of findings. This study therefore sets ground for future studies to investigate sustainable energy consumption in other institutions.
Originality/value
This study tests the efficacy of top management commitment and institutional pressures on sustainable energy consumption using evidence from African Higher Institutions of Learning. It provides new directions for study in such a nascent area of critical national dimension as sustainability and climate change issues top the global agenda.
Details
Keywords
Vincent Bagire, Alice Arinaitwe, Johnbosco Kakooza and Fiona Aikiriza
This paper aims to examine the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation by incorporating organizational resources as a mediating factor.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation by incorporating organizational resources as a mediating factor.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted cross-sectional and correlational research designs using a questionnaire survey of 64 higher educational institutions registered with the National Council for Higher Education of Uganda. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS.
Findings
This meant that institutional pressures, particularly mimetic, predict the way organizations chose their energy orientation. Furthermore, partial mediation of organizational resources is evident in the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation. Moreover, resources are a strong factor in ensuring that institutions observe the need for sustainable energy consumption.
Research limitations/implications
A study where there is no local empirical support for operationalization, as well as coherent citations on the criterion, is bound by various weaknesses that impose on the findings of this study. The authors nonetheless contend that they have opened gates for further empirical tests of their model findings.
Practical implications
The study findings will enable a catalyzed assessment of the energy needs and planning for them in higher institutions of learning in Uganda. It will trigger policy directions on energy needs and usage control.
Social implications
Energy supply is important in any academic institution. The study has highlighted a simple model of predictors of energy orientation that will enable institutional planning to ensure social stability with internal stakeholders on energy usage. It will also awaken positive behaviors on energy management by individuals and work groups.
Originality/value
This study offers initial evidence on the relationship between institutional pressures and sustainable energy orientation using evidence from a developing context. It is based on original study of higher institutions in Uganda, and no such study has been done before with the same variables. It provides new directions for study in such nascent area of critical national dimension as energy and climate change issues are top global agenda.