Sustainable Education, Economics and Business Education, Systematic Literature Review, SDGs, Integrating Sustainability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23960/E3J/v9.i1.84-93Keywords:
Sustainable Education, Economics and Business Education, Systematic Literature Review, SDGs, Integrating SustainabilityAbstract
Sustainable Education (ESD) is an important approach in economics and business education to shape students' sustainable competencies. However, there are still research gaps regarding its integration, implementation factors, and impacts, so a systematic study is needed to map trends, factors, and their influence on student competencies. This study uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method with the PRISMA approach to systematically analyze the integration of sustainability education into economics and business education, drawing on Scopus data. Through identification, screening, and selection based on specific criteria, 752 initial documents were screened, yielding 31 articles that met the criteria for further analysis. The results show that research on integrating sustainability education into economics and business education is on the rise, though it is still in its early stages and offers significant potential. The success of its implementation is influenced by the synergy of pedagogical, structural, and contextual factors and has been proven to improve students' cognitive, affective, and behavioral competencies in the formation of sustainable change agents. This study presents a comprehensive synthesis of trends, implementation factors, and the impacts of sustainability education in economics and business education, and offers a conceptual framework that can serve as a reference for curriculum development, learning practices, and sustainability education policies.
Downloads
References
Abulibdeh, A., Zaidan, E., & Abulibdeh, R. (2024). Navigating the confluence of artificial intelligence and education for sustainable development in the era of industry 4.0: Challenges , opportunities , and ethical dimensions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 437(January), 140527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140527
Akeke, M. N. G., Atah, C. A., Bepeh, U. S., Ajuluchukwa, E. N., Okoi, I. I., Isaac, K., Eleng, S. N., & Ben, A. O. (2023). Electronic Infrastructure and the Sustainable Development of Business Education Programmes in the 21 st Century. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 12(5), 321–331.
Bianchi, C., & Vignieri, V. (2021). Dealing with “ abnormal ” business growth by leveraging local area common goods : an outside-in stakeholder collaboration perspective. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Managemen, 70(3), 613–634. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-07-2019-0318
Calvo, N., & Villarreal, O. (2018). Analysis of the growth of the e-learning industry through sustainable business model archetypes : A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 191(1), 26–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.211
Carter, J., Méndez-romero, R. A., Jones, P., & Higgins, V. (2021). EmpoderaData : Sharing a successful work-placement data skills training model within Latin America , to develop capacity to deliver the SDGs. Statistical Journal of the IAOS, 37(1), 1009–1021. https://doi.org/10.3233/SJI-210842
Cocu, A., Pecheanu, E., Susnea, I., Dingli, S., Istrate, A., & Tudorie, C. (2025). Technology-Enabled Learning for Green and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education. Administrative Sciences, 15(45), 1–32.
Foster, G., & Stagl, S. (2018). Design, implementation, and evaluation of an inverted (flipped) classroom model economics for sustainable education course. Journal of Cleaner Production, 183, 1323–1336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.02.177
Gomes, S. F., Jorge, S., & Eugenio, T. (2021). Teaching sustainable development in business sciences degrees : evidence from Portugal. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 12(3), 611–634. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-10-2019-0365
Grobler, M. J. (2024). Development of a mnemonic card game for sustainability literacy in Master of Business Administration programmes. Acta Commercii - Independent Research Journal in the Management Sciences, 1–11.
Issa, H. Al, Thi, M., Thai, T., & Saad, S. (2025). Empowering social entrepreneurial intentions through experiential learning and self-efficacy. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 101154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101154
Kopnina, H. (2015). Sustainability in environmental education : new strategic thinking. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 17(1), 987–1002. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-014-9584-z
Lahteenkorva, M., Tynjala, P., & Kallio, E. K. (2025). From knowledge to wisdom in sustainable management education - Insights from a B Corp course. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(February), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101148
Lajci, D., & Kuqi, B. (2025). The Impact and Dynamics of Social Factors on The Development of Higher Education and Labor Market Integration in Kosovo. Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites, 61(3), 1582–1593. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.61317-1527
Mendez-Noguera, P., Molera, L., & Semitiel-Garcia, M. (2024). Integrating sustainability in the economics curriculum: Challenges and impact on future decision-makers. Oeconomia Copernicana, 15(3), 871–923.
Painter-morland, M., Molthan-hill, E. S. P., & Molthan-hill, P. (2016). Beyond the Curriculum: Integrating Sustainability into Business Schools. Journal of Business Ethics, 139(4), 737–754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2896-6
Pati, D., Ap, L., Lorusso, L. N., & Arch, M. S. (2018). How to Write a Systematic Review of the Literature. The Centre for Health Design, 11(1), 15–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586717747384
Pinter, E., Fenyvesi, E., Studies, B., Pinter, T., & Studies, B. (2021). Sustainability aspects of distance learning in higher education during the COVID-19 epidemic in a Hungarian University. Economic Annals-XXI, 190(2), 58–74.
Rathore, K., & Mahesh, J. (2025). From theory to Practice : Enhancing responsible business management through service learning. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101218
Sarkis-onofre, R., Catalá-lópez, F., Aromataris, E., & Lockwood, C. (2021). How to properly use the PRISMA Statement. Systematic Reviews, 10(117), 13–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4.9.
Schrage, B., Maheshwari, G., & Velasquez, S. (2025). Broadening the competencies of MBA students in Vietnam: Integrating andragogical approaches with sustainable development goals. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101217
Seidel, J., Sundermann, A., Brieger, S. A., Strathoff, P., Jacob, G. H., Antonio, T., & Utami, C. W. (2018). On how business students ’ personal values and sustainability conceptions impact their sustainability management orientation Evidence from Germany , Indonesia and the USA. Journal of Global Responsibility, 9(4), 335–354. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-03-2018-0010
Selcuk, A. A. (2019). A Guide for Systematic Reviews : PRISMA. Turkish Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 57(1), 57–58. https://doi.org/10.5152/tao.2019.4058
Sewchurran, K., Davids, L. M., Mcdonogh, J., & Meyer, C. (2021). Enlarging sustainability learning through integrative thinking with a focus on cultivating virtues. Journal of International Education in Business, 15(1), 126–146. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIEB-04-2021-0048
Stough, T., Ceulemans, K., Lambrechts, W., & Cappuyns, V. (2018). Assessing sustainability in higher education curricula: A critical reflection on validity issues. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 4456–4466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.017
Syamsir, S., Saputra, N., & Mulia, R. A. (2025). Leadership agility in a VUCA world : a systematic review , conceptual insights , and research directions. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2482022
Venturi, S., Zulauf, K., Cuel, R., & Wagner, R. (2025). Trash to treasure : Gamification and informed recycling behavior. Resources , Conservation & Recycling, 215(December 2024), 1–11.
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 2026-06-30 (2)
- 2026-07-08 (1)
