Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights

Trevisan, Laís Viera ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3673-6573, Eustachio, João Henrique Paulino Pires ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6782-3904, Dias, Bárbara Galleli ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9650-2619, Filho, Walter Leal ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1241-5225 and Pedrozo, Eugênio Ávila ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4751-707X (2024) Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26 (2). pp. 2789-2810. ISSN 1387-585X

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Abstract

The technological revolution has contributed to environmental and social issues around the world. However, in the context of higher education institutions (HEIs) – key stakeholders for sustainable development - there is a theoretical gap regarding systematic reviews on the topic. In order to address this need, this study explores how digital transformation (DT) can contribute to sustainability in HEIs by identifying the general state of the art, the theoretical perspectives in the field, and future research insights. A multi-methods approach was adopted, which consisted of a quantitative bibliometric review and a qualitative content analysis. Consistent with this approach, the Scopus database was used for the bibliometric analysis of 672 publications, which was conducted with the support of VOSviewer software. Subsequently, a content analysis of 72 publications was carried out using the software ATLAS.ti and Zotero. The findings suggest three areas of current research: ensuring sustainability competencies through DT, smart and sustainable campus approaches, and theorisation of sustainability in higher education through DT. The theoretical perspectives of the field were divided and discussed into seven main clusters. Lastly, five research lines for further studies on DT towards sustainability were identified. This study has both theoretical and practical implications since it may be the first literature review on this subject, providing theoretical insights to the academic community, guiding sustainability and digital practices in HEIs - through the identification of tools, approaches, and strategies - and then supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.