The social responsibility of universities in Morocco: Literature review

Abstract

This article examines university social responsibility (USR) in Morocco through a structured narrative review of theoretical and empirical studies. Despite the growth of national research, the literature remains fragmented and lacks a synthesis connecting the theoretical foundations of USR, its dimensions, implementation mechanisms, and territorial disparities. This review seeks to address this gap by developing a context-sensitive interpretive framework that consolidates existing knowledge, identifies its limitations, and guides future research. The synthesis reveals a marked increase in scholarly output: the bibliometric analysis used indicates that 11 of the 12 articles reviewed were published between 2018 and 2023, seven of which examine the integration of USR practices. Research remains concentrated in Rabat, Salé, Kenitra, and Casablanca, while none of the reviewed studies addresses higher education institutions in southern Morocco. Students account for 37% of the stakeholders examined, compared with 25% for faculty members, 25% for institutional leaders, and 13% for administrative staff. The reviewed studies point to limited and fragmented implementation, hindered by inadequate financial resources, excessive bureaucracy, and an insufficiently supportive organizational culture. The article contributes to the literature by contextualizing USR around three dimensions: ethics, environmental sustainability, and governance and by defining key priorities: developing a national strategy, integrating sustainable development into university curricula, and strengthening university–society partnerships.

Classification JEL: I23, M14, Q56, I28

Paper type: Theoretical Research