THE ROMANIAN UNIVERSITIES AND THE DILEMMA OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE CHALLENGES OF ASSIMETRIC POWER RELATION IN THE COMPLEX STAKEHOLDER NETWORKS
THE ROMANIAN UNIVERSITIES AND THE DILEMMA OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE CHALLENGES OF ASSIMETRIC POWER RELATION IN THE COMPLEX STAKEHOLDER NETWORKS

Author(s): Mihai Talmaciu, Irina Teodora Manolescu
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Social Sciences
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: university; collaborative networks; sustainable development; power relations;
Summary/Abstract: In the current economic, social, and political context shaped by the global agenda on sustainable development, universities are called upon to redefine their role and recalibrate their mission in relation to the needs of a global society. Thus, universities face the challenge of going beyond their traditional roles of teaching and research and taking on a more active role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Collaboration and stakeholder engagement in such initiatives can be affected by asymmetrical power relations and difficulties in harmonizing the objectives, values, and principles of the entities involved in these partnerships. This article analyses how universities and research institutions in Romania can take on a more active role in multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs without compromising their autonomy and core educational mission. The opportunities and risks of university involvement in collaborative networks will be examined, considering that the actors involved have unequal access to resources, divergent interests, and different levels of influence over decision-making. The study is based on qualitative data drawn from institutional reports and public policy documents. It highlights both the opportunities and constraints faced by universities in their efforts to contribute to sustainability. The analysis shows that although Romanian universities clearly express their willingness and readiness to take an active role in the sustainable development of communities, in practice their involvement is often hindered by fragmented policies, dependence on external funding, and limited autonomy in strategic planning. The article proposes a critical perspective on the involvement of universities in collaborative governance architectures related to sustainability. Only through a re-evaluation of their own role and a firm commitment to equity and responsibility can universities make a real contribution to reducing social inequalities and development gaps, by aligning the principles of equity and efficiency in resource allocation.

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