Sustainability in Higher Education
Peer reviewed
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to investigate the key factors driving the sustainability quotient (SQ) of higher education institutions (HEIs), while focusing on how curriculum, governance, technological interventions and community engagement contribute to embedding sustainability into the institutional fabric. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research design was used using semi-structured interviews with 30 participants, including faculty members, administrators and student leaders across five HEIs based in India. Additionally, thematic analysis supported by NVivo software was conducted to identify critical drivers, barriers and pathways to institutional sustainability. Findings The analysis revealed that sustainability in HEIs is driven by government policies and regulations, requirements of funding and accreditation bodies, ranking and reputation, student demand, employer and industry expectations and finally, cultural values and mindsets. The thematic analysis suggests three distinct pathways by which technology catalyzes the sustainable development process; they include (i) campus operations and infrastructure (the “Living Lab”), (ii) teaching, learning and curriculum (the “Pedagogical Tool”) and (iii) research, innovation and community engagement (the “Collaborative Platform”). Practical implications Broadly, the findings underscore the need for HEIs to move beyond infrastructural investments and embrace holistic strategies that integrate pedagogy, governance, technology and culture to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals propounded by the United Nations (UNSDGs). Originality/value This paper contributes to sustainability literature by identifying multi-dimensional drivers of the SQ in HEIs from a qualitative perspective. It emphasizes the strategic role of technological interventions and stakeholder participation, offering a framework to guide institutions, particularly in India, in embedding sustainability into their core mission.
Direct answer
What can I do from this paper page?
Use this page to scan "Identification of factors driving the sustainability quotient of higher education institutions: a critical review and qualitative inquiry" quickly: start with the summary and abstract, then check the authors, source, topics, and related papers. From here, open Scollr to follow Sustainability in Higher Education research, save the paper, or map adjacent work.
Research areas
Follow related topics
Citation
BibTeX
@article{Gupta2026Identification,
title = {Identification of factors driving the sustainability quotient of higher education institutions: a critical review and qualitative inquiry},
author = {S. Gupta},
journal = {International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1108/ijshe-08-2025-0991},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-08-2025-0991}
}FAQ
Using this paper in a discovery workflow
How do I find related work for this paper?
Use the related papers and topic links on this page as starting points. In Scollr, you can also open the paper and build a literature map around its references, citing papers, and related work.
How can I keep up with new Sustainability in Higher Education research papers?
Follow Sustainability in Higher Education research in Scollr. New papers from the topic flow into a personalized feed, and you can save useful studies to revisit later.
Can I cite this paper from this page?
This page includes a static BibTeX block for Identification of factors driving the sustainability quotient of higher education institutions: a critical review and qualitative inquiry. Always verify the DOI, source, and publication details against the publisher record before submitting a manuscript.
Follow this research in Scollr
Follow the topics and authors behind this paper, save useful studies, and build a literature map when you are ready to go deeper.
Get the app