Global universities’ strategic positioning for internal and external sustainability

Abstract

Higher education institutions have the vision and potential to lead the transition to one of the global challenges — sustainable development. Although successful research and case studies have been reported, an integrated framework that examines the strategic positioning of sustainability within higher education is lacking. The present study explores the sustainability approaches of 13 top 50 universities in Higher Education (HE) World University Rankings 2023. The authors developed the theoretical framework with strategic positioning (Porter, 1996), transition management (Stephens et al., 2008), diversity, people partnerships, and access to technology. The investigation involved qualitative analysis and a case study approach. The findings have the potential to enrich existing literature on strategic positioning for sustainability by drawing essential lessons from universities both individually and collectively.