MANAGING SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS ON INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIES

Abstract

This article investigates the transformation of institutional strategies in higher education institutions (HEIs) under the influence of international economic relations, with a focus on achieving sustainable development. The purpose of the study is to develop conceptual approaches to managing sustainability in higher education through the integration of global practices and sustainability indicators. The objectives include: systematizing the theoretical foundations of HEI sustainability; analyzing the dynamics of key sustainability indicators in an international context; examining best practices from leading universities; and modeling strategic scenarios using cooperative game theory. The research methodology combines systems and comparative analysis, content analysis of global rankings (QS, THE, ARWU), an indicator-based approach, case studies, and a game-theoretic simulation of strategic decision-making. Particular attention is given to the analysis of universities that have successfully integrated sustainability principles into their governance and educational models—namely, the University of Cambridge, Aalto University, and the University of Amsterdam. The findings demonstrate that the implementation of ESG principles, strategic alliances, and adaptation to international financial and economic trends significantly enhance HEI performance in global rankings. The developed game-theoretic payoff matrix allows for the simulation of rational university behavior regarding investments in sustainability from both short- and long-term perspectives. The scientific novelty lies in building a theoretical and practical basis for the transformation of management approaches in higher education institutions, which combines strategic forecasting, simulation modeling, and institutional structuring of policies.The proposed recommendations can be used to formulate national and institutional strategies for transforming Ukraine’s higher education system within the global context.