Towards university social responsibility: the university response to society

Abstract

The interdependence of all social spheres and levels nowadays is beyond question, as is the impact of actions and decisions taken by individuals, groups and institutions, irrespective of wherever they may be based. Given that each decision and action undertaken by a specific group, institution or their members may have a bearing (direct or remote) on society, every intervention of this kind calls for some response, prompting in turn further consideration of responsibility as such. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of social responsibility in fostering the recovery of social trust and its link to business or corporate social responsibility. Thereafter, the specific case of university social responsibility is addressed on the basis of the ineluctably social structure of the university. University social responsibility is framed as a goal and challenge to model a new form of institution capable of meeting the needs and interests of the knowledge society. Certainly, any university should be able to answer, like any organization, claims and demands of society in a clear context of social responsibility. Hence, this institution, like any company, should harmonize its autonomy and initiative with the demands of the society in which it operates.