Abstract
Given the currently complex context, fostering Competencies for Sustainable Development (CSD) has become increasingly relevant, as it equips individuals to address sustainability challenges. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in preparing change agents for society. Existing literature has largely examined CSD from the perspectives of students and professors, highlighting academic staff as key drivers of students’ competency development, while discussions about non-academic staff remain limited. Recognizing HEIs’ human resources (HR) as essential sustainability change agents, this study investigates the drivers and barriers (D&B) to developing CSD within HEIs’ HR. A systematic literature review of 93 articles mapped the current knowledge frontier and identified key D&B shaping CSD development. Additionally, interviews with 59 experts (20 local specialists representing academic and non-academic staff and 39 international experts) provided a comprehensive perspective on these factors. The findings led to an integrative framework that consolidates the main elements influencing CSD development within HEIs’ HR and makes a theoretical contribution by advancing understanding of this process. In practice, the study offers guidance to HEIs to reassess policies and practices related to CSD and highlights both academic and non-academic staff as relevant change agents toward a more sustainable world.