Does gender matter? A moderation analysis of renewable energy and sustainability performance in Indonesian higher education institutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62672/joease.v4i2.165Keywords:
Gender, Higher education institutions, Renewable energy, Sustainability performanceAbstract
This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the influence of renewable energy (RE) on sustainability performance (SP), while also examining the role of gender in this relationship. A quantitative research method employing a survey technique was used with university lecturers in Indonesia as respondents. 232 samples were measured using random sampling which was processed using the SmartPLS 4.0 application. The results found a significant influence of renewable energy on sustainability performance. However, gender was not found to moderate the effect of renewable energy on sustainability performance. This study confirms that the success of renewable energy strategies in improving sustainability performance in universities depends not only on technology and investment, but also on gender diversity. In the context of sustainability research, gender socialization theory provides a robust theoretical foundation to support the argument that gender equality is a vital prerequisite for achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development for all. Thus, this study makes a significant contribution to the literature on renewable energy, sustainability, and gender, offering new insights into the development of more inclusive and sustainable higher education policies. The results also confirm the relevance of public policies that link the sustainability agenda to gender equality in the higher education sector.
References
Ahmad, T., Zhu, H., Zhang, D., Tariq, R., Bassam, A., Ullah, F., AlGhamdi, A. S., & Alshamrani, S. S. (2022). Energetics Systems and artificial intelligence: Applications of industry 4.0. Energy Reports, 8, 334–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.11.256
Alghamdi, N., den Heijer, A., & de Jonge, H. (2017). Assessment tools’ indicators for sustainability in universities: An analytical overview. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 18(1), 84–115.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2015-0071
Almaqtari, F. A., Elmashtawy, A., Farhan, N. H. S., Ali, N., & Amir, A. (2024). Discover Sustainability The moderating effect of board gender diversity in the environmental sustainability and financial performance nexus. Discover Sustainability, 5(318). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00517-7
Almasri, R. A., & Abu-hamdeh, N. H. (2024). A state-of-the-art review of energy-ef fi cient and renewable energy systems in higher education facilities. January, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1344216
Almasri, R. A., Abu-Hamdeh, N. H., & Al-Tamimi, N. (2023). A state-of-the-art review of energy-efficient and renewable energy systems in higher education facilities. Frontiers in Energy Research, 11(January), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1344216
Al-Rawashdeh, H., Al-Khashman, O. A., Al Bdour, J. T., Gomaa, M. R., Rezk, H., Marashli, A., Arrfou, L. M., & Louzazni, M. (2023). Performance Analysis of a Hybrid Renewable-Energy System for Green Buildings to Improve Efficiency and Reduce GHG Emissions with Multiple Scenarios. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097529
Babiker, I., Ahmed, M., Elfaki, E., Mohamed, A., & Saeed, M. (2025). Corporate Governance and Sustainability : The Moderating Role of Board Gender Diversity in the Relationship Between Environmental Innovation and Emission Performance. Sustainability, 17(9041), 1–22.
Blasco, N., Brusca, I., & Labrador, M. (2019). Assessing sustainability and its performance implications: An empirical analysis in Spanish public universities. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195302
Bratt, C., Sroufe, R., & Broman, G. (2021). Implementing strategic sustainable supply chain management. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158132
Bussey, K., & Bandura, A. (1999). Social cognitive theory of gender development and differentiation. Psychological Review, 106(4), 676–713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.03.261
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. In Research Defign: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed M ethods Approaches (Fifth). SAGE Publications.
Fallon-Byrne, L., & Harney, B. (2017). Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities for innovation: a review and research agenda. The Irish Journal of Management, 36(1), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijm-2017-0004
Filho, W. L., Eustachio, J. H. P. P., Caldana, A. C. F., Will, M., Salvia, A. L., Rampasso, I. S., Anholon, R., Platje, J., & Kovaleva, M. (2020). Sustainability leadership in higher education institutions: An overview of challenges. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093761
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2017). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). In Sage (2nd ed.). Sage.
Han Nguyen, T., Paramasivam, P., Huong Dong, V., Cuong Le, H., & Chuan Nguyen, D. (2024). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON INFORMATICS VISUALIZATION journal homepage : www.joiv.org/index.php/joiv INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON INFORMATICS VISUALIZATION Harnessing a Better Future: Exploring AI and ML Applications in Renewable Energy. 8(March). www.joiv.org/index.php/joiv
Hannan, M. A., Al-Shetwi, A. Q., Ker, P. J., Begum, R. A., Mansor, M., Rahman, S. A., Dong, Z. Y., Tiong, S. K., Mahlia, T. M. I., & Muttaqi, K. M. (2021). Impact of renewable energy utilization and artificial intelligence in achieving sustainable development goals. Energy Reports, 7, 5359–5373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.08.172
Hart, S. L., & Dowell, G. (2011). A natural-resource-based view of the firm: Fifteen years after. Journal of Management, 37(5), 1464–1479. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206310390219
Issa, A. (2023). Shaping a sustainable future : The impact of board gender diversity on clean energy use and the moderating role of environmental , social and governance controversies. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, April, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2512
Katre, A., & Tozzi, A. (2018). Assessing the sustainability of decentralized renewable energy systems: A comprehensive framework with analytical methods. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041058
Katsamakas, E., Pavlov, O. V., & Saklad, R. (2019). Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Higher Education Institutions: A System Approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(1), 1–14. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2008.06.005%0Ahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/305320484_SISTEM_PEMBETUNGAN_TERPUSAT_STRATEGI_MELESTARI
Latif, R. A., Yahya, N. H., Mohd, K. N. T., Kamardin, H., & Ariffin, A. H. M. (2020). The influence of board diversity on environmental disclosures and sustainability performance in Malaysia. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 10(5), 287–296. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.9508
Leigh, S., Thomas, A. G., & Davies, J. (2021). The effects of sex and outcome expectancies on perceptions of sexual harassment. PLoS ONE, 16(12 December). https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0261409
Mansour, M., Shubita, M. F., Lutfi, A., Saleh, M. W. A., & Saad, M. (2024). Female CEOs and Green Innovation: Evidence from Asian Firms. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(21), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219404
Montoya, F. G., & Perea‐moreno, A. J. (2020). Environmental energy sustainability at universities. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(21), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219219
Nketsiah, I., Imoro, O., Barfi, K. A., Amoah, E., & Amenorvi, C. R. (2023). Academic integrity: Do socio-demographic differences in perception and awareness of plagiarism matter? Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2273175
Pandit, J. M., & Paul, B. (2023). Gender Diversity, Sustainable Development Goals and Human Resource Management Practices in Higher Education. Indian Journal of Human Development, 17(1), 111–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/09737030231169699
Pareek, R., Sahu, T. N., & Gupta, A. (2023). Gender diversity and corporate sustainability performance: empirical evidence from India. Vilakshan - XIMB Journal of Management, 20(1), 140–153. https://doi.org/10.1108/xjm-10-2020-0183
Rana, M. Q., Lee, A., Ty, T. Van, & Lam, D. P. (2025). Gender Equality and Sustainability in Vietnamese Higher Education: Educators’ Perspectives. Administrative Sciences, 15(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15050164
Ruel, S., Fritz, M., & Subramanian, N. (2020). Gender diversity for sustainability management: developing a research agenda from a supply chain perspective. Logistique et Management, 28(3–4), 224–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/12507970.2020.1827994
Salem, I., Saleh, Y., Alsayed, M. F., Assaf, R., Kanan, M., Musleh Al-Sartawi, A. M. A., & BinSaddig, R. (2023). Adoption of renewable energy sources and sustainable performance in palestinian industrial and commercial sectors with governmental role as a moderator: An explanatory approach. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 9(3), 100139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2023.100139
Sarango-lalangui, P., Castillo-vergara, M., Carrasco-carvajal, O., & Durendez, A. (2023). Heliyon Impact of environmental sustainability on open innovation in SMEs : An empirical study considering the moderating effect of gender. Heliyon, 9(9), e20096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20096
Shrestha, P. (2024). Sustainability initiatives in higher education institutions: the stakeholder perspectives. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-03-2024-0141
Strzelecki, A., & ElArabawy, S. (2024). Investigation of the moderation effect of gender and study level on the acceptance and use of generative AI by higher education students: Comparative evidence from Poland and Egypt. British Journal of Educational Technology, 55(3), 1209–1230. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13425
Wang, Y., Zhang, D., Ji, Q., & Shi, X. (2020). Regional renewable energy development in China: A multidimensional assessment. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 124(March 2019), 109797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109797
Xin, Y., Bin Dost, M. K., Akram, H., & Watto, W. A. (2022). Analyzing Pakistan’s Renewable Energy Potential: A Review of the Country’s Energy Policy, Its Challenges, and Recommendations. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316123
Yaprakli, S., & Özden, E. (2021). The effect of sustainable development on economics complexity in oecd countries. International and Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 10(2), 51–80. https://doi.org/10.17583/RIMCIS.7949
Zampone, G., Nicolò, G., Sannino, G., & De Iorio, S. (2024). Gender diversity and SDG disclosure: the mediating role of the sustainability committee. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 25(1), 171–193. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-06-2022-0151
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Environment and Sustainability Education

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.




Malaysia
Brazil
Australia
Taiwan, Province of China
India
Philippines
Japan
Morocco
Nigeria
Ghana
Italy
United Arab Emirates
Colombia
Kenya
Kazakhstan
New Zealand
Pakistan
Turkey
Azerbaijan
Burundi
Switzerland
China
Germany
Estonia
Egypt
United Kingdom
Mexico
Netherlands
Russian Federation
Thailand
Viet Nam
South Africa
