Success determinants and institutional impact of sustainability projects in higher education

Purpose Sustainability projects in higher education institutions (HEIs) must overcome structural constraints, inadequate decision-making and internal conflicts to achieve lasting institutional impact. Although prior research has identified success factors in corporate sustainability projects, the extent to which these insights apply to HEIs remains underexplored. This study builds on business management literature to examine the determinants of successful sustainability projects in the academic context. Design/methodology/approach The analysis draws on data from an online survey of 273 participants involved in sustainability projects at German HEIs. These projects span diverse areas, including research, organizational development and education. The questionnaire was developed and validated through expert review, pilot testing and reliability checks. These procedures ensure that the instrument meets accepted standards of validity and reliability for survey-based research. Findings The results indicate that stakeholder support and early planning for project continuation significantly enhance both project-level success and institutional sustainability. Furthermore, documenting and aligning project goals with institutional sustainability strategies contribute meaningfully to long-term transformation efforts. These findings highlight the critical role of effective project design and management in embedding sustainability. Practical implications To increase the effectiveness of sustainability projects, HEIs should embed structural, organizational and stakeholder considerations into project design from the outset. The study offers recommendations to support institutions in shaping sustainability agendas. Social implications By enabling HEIs to implement more impactful sustainability practices, the findings contribute to the development of HEIs as proactive agents of societal change, fostering environmental responsibility and social innovation. Originality/value While previous studies suggest that HEI sustainability projects struggle to generate enduring impact, this study offers a understanding of the conditions under which such projects succeed. By integrating perspectives from business and educational contexts, it provides new insights into how HEIs can drive sustainable development.