Educating for the future: a value competence model for higher education professors in sustainable development and business education

PurposeThis 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/approachThis 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.FindingsDespite 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/implicationsThe 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 implicationsImplementing 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 implicationsIntegrating 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/valueThis 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.