Abstract:

Educational institutions that not only meet the expectations of interested parties but also foresee and analyse the influence of the institution on the environment and society and responding to the changes contribute to the creation of information society and gain a competitive advantage. Social responsibility of business enterprises is widely analysed; however, organizations of a public sector are also socially responsible although their activities are less emphasized; therefore, it is relevant to examine the expression of social responsibility features in an organization of a public sector – a higher education institution. The aim of the research is to identify the expression of features that are typical for a socially responsible organization in a higher education institution. Research methods: theoretical – analysis of literature and documents; empirical – analysis of the answers of respondents. Documents of the higher education institution were analysed in order to evaluate the expression of social responsibility features. A semi-structured interview regarding the expression of social responsibility was conducted to assess the opinion of the teachers, administrative staff, social partners, and students of the higher education institution. 7 teachers and administrative staff, 5 social partners, and 6 students took part in the qualitative research. The analysis of documents revealed that social responsibility and sustainable development are a priority and a horizontal strategic goal of Vilnius University of Applied Sciences, and the policy as well as strategic directions of social responsibility and sustainable development are formulated taking into account the strategic priorities and the needs in the context of social responsibility and sustainable development of the United Nations, the European Union, the Republic of Lithuania and the municipalities of the city and district of Vilnius. Social responsibility of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies of Vilnius University of Applied Sciences is associated with the sustainable development of the region in cooperation with groups of local community, business and government representatives and developing individual as well as community abilities to think and act independently and creatively. Close relations with social partners and a social dialogue help to ensure cooperation between higher education institutions and business/non-governmental organizations (NGOs)/public sector and are one of the main cornerstones of both sustainable development and social responsibility. The interview revealed that application of the principles of social responsibility and sustainable development in the higher education institution is demonstrated through socially responsible activities which are carried out actively: the emphasis is placed on social responsibility and sustainable development in the teaching/learning process, educational events, implementation of projects, cooperation with social partners and voluntary activities in the implementation of environmental and cultural initiatives, fostering ethno-cultural traditions, organizing charity events.

Keywords:

Social responsibility, volunteering, higher education institution.