Educating for the future

A value competence model for higher education professors in sustainable development and business education

Bibliographic Data

ID21720869
AuthorsRaquel Lenziardi (0000-0002-9548-0179, Federal Fluminense University Engineering School, , Niterói), Mírian Picinini Méxas (0000-0003-4506-7009, Federal Fluminense University Engineering School, , Niterói), Margarida Lucas (0000-0002-7438-5287, University of Aveiro Department of Education and Psychology, Laboratory of Digital Contents, The Research Centre on Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers (CIDTFF), , Aveiro), Patrícia Sá (0000-0002-6415-0601, University of Aveiro Department of Education and Psychology, The Research Centre on Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers (CIDTFF), , Aveiro)
Year2026
Volume27
Issue5
Pages1213-1230
Publication date2026-04-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1467-6370 • E-ISSN: 1758-6739
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijshe-08-2024-0529
OpenAlexW4410136686
LanguageEN
References cited48

Purpose This study aims to present a competence model for higher education (HE) professors with a focus on the value dimension of education for sustainable development (ESD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The goal is to encourage professors to integrate ESD and CSR principles into HE. This model was structured based on the curriculum, sustainable development, competences and teacher training (CSCT) model, encompasses multiple aspects of the professor’s professional work as an individual, in society and in education institutions, including a new aspect as an educator. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted bibliographic research and a complementary systematic literature review to structure the model and describe the competence indicators. Thus, Brazilian specialists, represented by business schools’ professors, validated these indicators with the Delphi method to achieve consensus among these heterogeneous group with a distinct understanding of sustainability. Findings Despite other authors emphasizing the value dimension’s importance, it is not frequently the central aspect in the competence models for ESD examined in the literature. Specialists in this study recognized the importance of the values dimension for ESD and CSR when they participated in the Delphi method, but they were cautious about how competence development might change faculty personal values or impact the HE’s external environment. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research included the focus on Brazilian professors and not the public of other countries. Other stakeholders, such as students, administrators, higher education institutions staff, members of the public and businesses, could also be involved in the process. Practical implications Implementing this model could result in favorable outcomes for HE, as it has the potential to strengthen their faculty’s ability to incorporate ESD and CSR within their educational context. At the same time, it is important for the business sector because it might increase the chances of professionals having a greater understanding of ethics and sustainability. Social implications Integrating the professors’ competences with their societal role could have a direct impact on improving educators’ understanding of the importance of ESD and CSR in educational practices. It would facilitate the establishment of connections between the educational, business and social sectors, encouraging a collaborative and future-oriented perspective on sustainability. Originality/value This study is pioneering creating a model that assesses professors’ competence, with a particular emphasis on their values in the context of ESD, including CSR. It also considers the various professional roles of professors, as described by the CSCT model, including their function as educators. In addition, the model generates competence indicators through an analysis of existing literature and validates them using the Delphi method

Business education · Economic growth · Economics · Education for sustainable development · Environmental education · Higher education · Management · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Computer Science · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Innovative Education and Learning Practices · Sustainability in Higher Education

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