Vieira, Karina Rabelo Ogasawara [UNESP]Battistelle, Rosane Aparecida Gomes [UNESP]Bezerra, Barbara Stolte [UNESP]Castro, Rosani de [UNESP]Jabbour, Charbel Jose ChiappettaDeus, Rafael Mattos [UNESP]2018-12-112018-12-112018-06-20Journal of Cleaner Production, v. 187, p. 940-949.0959-6526http://hdl.handle.net/11449/179965This study aimed to identify the barriers and motivations that influence the adoption of sustainable practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). A multiple case study approach was used to analyze the influence of the barriers and motivations identified in the literature on two Brazilian HEIs. Five propositions were identified and discussed: Government Directives coercively boost the adoption of EMS practices in HEIs; stakeholders boost the adoption of EMS practices in HEIs; the combination of top-down and participatory approaches is essential for maintaining EMS practices in HEIs; the adoption of EMS practices in HEIs tends to face the challenges of several barriers; the adoption of EMS practices in HEIs tends to be motivated by a variety of factors. This study has certain limitations common to qualitative research: case studies do not provide generalizations, and research results are valid only within limited contexts. It was suggested further in-depth research into the role of bureaucracy in pursuing sustainability in HEIs. Additionally, “bureaucracy” should also be considered a significant barrier.940-949engEnvironmentEnvironmental management systemsHigher educationSustainabilityUniversityArtigo10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.260Acesso aberto2-s2.0-850487342892-s2.0-85048734289.pdf