Validation of a robust multidimensional scale of social responsibility management in a university ecosystem

Despite the growing importance assigned to sustainability in higher education, the development of multidimensional models for assessing University Social Responsibility (USR), especially for Latin American contexts, remains scarce. This study aims to bridge the gap in the development and validation of a theoretical and robust measurement scale that reflects the systematization of the multidimensionality of USR and its correspondence with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research included a sample of 300 postgraduate and undergraduate students from leading universities in Lima, Peru. After validation by experts in the field regarding the suitability of the instrument, it was subjected to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) estimated using a confirmatory model of correlated factors to establish the construct validity and reliability of the instrument. The AFC model had excellent fit indices ((χ²/df = 2.47; CFI = 0.956; TLI = 0.947; RMSEA = 0.07) validating the consistency of the construct. In addition, the study offers new evidence of how CSR governance can enhance institutional sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and information capacity for curricular innovation in the SDGs. The validated scale provides a replicable and adaptable tool for the cross-cultural assessment of USR and represents a methodological contribution to future research related to sustainability in higher education. The practical implications underscore that universities can incorporate this instrument into their strategic planning and continuous improvement of their sustainability outcomes.