Sustainability-Oriented Higher Education Activities: Insights from Institutional Isomorphism Perspective

Abstract

The article identifies clusters of higher education institutions that are most oriented towards sustainable development (SD). We analysed the types of educational activities in which these institutions engaged and the institutional mechanisms affecting their implementation. The study addresses questions about the types of educational activities that are pursued today and how higher education institutions adapt to global norms and expectations concerning SD. The study employs a mixed approach. The first stage involved a cluster analysis based on QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 data, which identified higher education institutions most engaged in SD. Next, we analysed 53 ESG reports from these institutions with qualitative content analysis and text mining. Sustainable development-oriented higher education institutions tend to cluster in Europe, North America, East Asia, and Australia. We identified four main educational activity areas: academic curricula and courses, teaching methods that support SD, practical student engagement, and cooperation with third parties. The results demonstrate an increase in professionalisation and institutionalisation of education for SD, which can suggest effects of institutional isomorphism. With its structured approach to university activities and selection of quantitative indicators that could be employed in ESG reports, the article contributes to the literature on education for SD. The proposed classification could be of practical value to institutions intent on intensifying their SD educational efforts.

Affiliated Institutions

• Silesian University of Technology PL
• University of Agriculture in Krakow PL
• Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra SK

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