Factors influencing green campus implementation performance in a South African University of Technology: A qualitative analysis

An increase in the promotion of the green campus initiative (GCI) across several African universities has been observed. However, studies seeking to examine GCI implementation performance remain limited. As its contribution towards bridging this gap, the operationalization of the GCI in a South African University of Technology was investigated towards facilitating an identification of factors influencing implementation performance. The study adopted a qualitative case study research design. Data was elicited from the case study through the instrumentality of a mix of semi-structured interviews, participant observation and review of relevant documents. A purposively selected sample of participants involved with GCI implementation within the case study served as interviewees. The emergent data was analysed thematically. Subsequently, factors identified from the investigation were further classified into barriers and success factors. Whereas availability of finance, optimal community involvement and realistic targets emerged as significant success factors, the lack of finance, expertise and top management support were identified as factors negating GCI implementation performance. The findings from this study are expected to not only foster the development of an effective GCI implementation framework for South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) but also, to contribute towards the sustainability transition discourse within HEIs in sub-Saharan Africa.