Title:
Knowledge Management and Sustainability: An Integrated Approach in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions

Authors:
Maria da Conceição da Costa Marques, Portugal

Abstract:

Objectives - This study aims to analyze how Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) adopt knowledge management (KM) strategies to integrate sustainability into their academic, administrative and social dimensions, thereby contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Theoretical Framework - The research is grounded in the interrelationship between KM and sustainability. KM is understood as a dynamic process of creating, sharing and applying knowledge to generate innovation and organizational efficiency, while sustainability is framed as a multidimensional concept involving environmental, social and economic pillars, aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

Method - A qualitative and exploratory multiple case study was carried out between January and April 2025. Data were collected from institutional reports, strategic documents and official HEI websites. Content analysis was used to categorize practices and initiatives according to KM and sustainability dimensions.

Results and Discussion - The findings show that Portuguese HEIs are increasingly embedding sustainability transversally into teaching, research, community engagement and institutional management. Initiatives include sustainability-oriented curricula, interdisciplinary research projects, university extension programs, and partnerships with local communities. The study highlights the role of digitalization and emerging technologies in strengthening KM and facilitating sustainable innovation. Collaborative networks, such as the Sustainable Campus Network and Lusophone HEI Sustainability Network, enhance knowledge sharing and collective learning.

Research Implications - The study emphasizes the need for HEIs to strengthen their organizational culture, digital infrastructures and international collaborations to consolidate the integration of KM and sustainability. It suggests that HEIs can act as strategic agents in advancing the SDGs by fostering innovation, ethics and social responsibility.

Originality/Value - This article contributes to the literature by presenting an integrated analysis of KM and sustainability in Portuguese public HEIs, an underexplored context. It demonstrates how the articulation between these two fields not only enhances institutional performance but also generates a wider social impact, positioning HEIs as transformative actors in addressing global challenges.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2026.10305