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Exploring Culture(s) of Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review of Concepts and Pathways

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Title: Exploring Culture(s) of Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review of Concepts and Pathways
Language: English
Authors: Jorrit Holst, Hilke Fritz, Benjamin Nölting, Daniel J. Lang, Vanessa-Luisa Löde, Susanne Ober, Oliver Parodi, Thomas Potthast, Christian Thomas Scheiding, Maike Weynand, Mandy Singer-Brodowski
Source: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. 2025 26(9):489-506.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Role, Sustainability, School Culture, Social Influences, Attitudes, Values, Behavior, Change, Barriers, Research Needs, Sustainable Development, Educational Research
DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0550
ISSN: 1467-6370
1758-6739
Abstract: Purpose: Higher education institutions' (HEIs) responsibility to contribute to safe and just societies is increasingly emphasised, but attempts to advance sustainability at HEIs are often fragmented and little systematic knowledge is available on the interlinkage between (organisational) cultures and sustainability at HEIs. This study aims to contribute to closing this gap and enrich the discussion on culture(s) of sustainability at HEIs. Design/methodology/approach: To better understand the implicit and hidden facets of organisational changes towards sustainability, the authors systematically review the international literature on culture(s) of sustainability at HEIs. Through concept synthesis, they assess how culture of sustainability is conceptualised, operationalised and what pathways of change are considered. Findings: In the literature, culture of sustainability at HEIs is commonly understood as a coalescence of norms, attitudes, values and assumptions with sustainability as a normative orientation, which also refers to structures, routines and behaviours at HEIs. Concerning specific HEIs, this study finds a variety of approaches to conceptualise culture(s) of sustainability and a focus on pathways of change. The authors further identify a lack of differentiation between normative and descriptive approaches, challenges in assessing cultures of sustainability and the need for large-scale research on transformation pathways. Originality/value: Based on the review, the authors develop a refined conceptualisation, differentiating between culture of sustainability as a normative orientation and the description of current cultures that support or hinder sustainability. They argue that culture of sustainability pertains, above all, to the normality and the self-reproducing defaults at HEIs and within the system of science and higher education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502500
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Exploring Culture(s) of Sustainability at Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Review of Concepts and Pathways
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jorrit+Holst%22">Jorrit Holst</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hilke+Fritz%22">Hilke Fritz</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Benjamin+Nölting%22">Benjamin Nölting</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Daniel+J%2E+Lang%22">Daniel J. Lang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vanessa-Luisa+Löde%22">Vanessa-Luisa Löde</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Susanne+Ober%22">Susanne Ober</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Oliver+Parodi%22">Oliver Parodi</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomas+Potthast%22">Thomas Potthast</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christian+Thomas+Scheiding%22">Christian Thomas Scheiding</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maike+Weynand%22">Maike Weynand</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mandy+Singer-Brodowski%22">Mandy Singer-Brodowski</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Sustainability+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 26(9):489-506.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 18
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Role%22">College Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Culture%22">School Culture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitudes%22">Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Values%22">Values</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior%22">Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Change%22">Change</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Needs%22">Research Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainable+Development%22">Sustainable Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2024-0550
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1467-6370<br />1758-6739
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Higher education institutions' (HEIs) responsibility to contribute to safe and just societies is increasingly emphasised, but attempts to advance sustainability at HEIs are often fragmented and little systematic knowledge is available on the interlinkage between (organisational) cultures and sustainability at HEIs. This study aims to contribute to closing this gap and enrich the discussion on culture(s) of sustainability at HEIs. Design/methodology/approach: To better understand the implicit and hidden facets of organisational changes towards sustainability, the authors systematically review the international literature on culture(s) of sustainability at HEIs. Through concept synthesis, they assess how culture of sustainability is conceptualised, operationalised and what pathways of change are considered. Findings: In the literature, culture of sustainability at HEIs is commonly understood as a coalescence of norms, attitudes, values and assumptions with sustainability as a normative orientation, which also refers to structures, routines and behaviours at HEIs. Concerning specific HEIs, this study finds a variety of approaches to conceptualise culture(s) of sustainability and a focus on pathways of change. The authors further identify a lack of differentiation between normative and descriptive approaches, challenges in assessing cultures of sustainability and the need for large-scale research on transformation pathways. Originality/value: Based on the review, the authors develop a refined conceptualisation, differentiating between culture of sustainability as a normative orientation and the description of current cultures that support or hinder sustainability. They argue that culture of sustainability pertains, above all, to the normality and the self-reproducing defaults at HEIs and within the system of science and higher education.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1502500
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: College Role
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      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
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      – SubjectFull: School Culture
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      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
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