Purpose Grounded in institutional theory, this study aims to examine the role of institutional quality on the sustainability performance of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latin America. Design/methodology/approach The study employs fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) as the primary analytical method and necessary condition analysis (NCA) as a complementary robustness approach. The sample comprises 122 HEIs across 13 Latin American countries. Data include 2022 UI GreenMetric scores for sustainability performance and institutional quality indicators obtained from the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), while controlling for institutional characteristics. Findings The results reveal that HEI sustainability performance depends on specific configurations of institutional conditions rather than isolated net effects. Public HEIs operating in politically stable environments emerge as a particularly effective configuration. In addition, the NCA findings indicate that dimensions such as voice and accountability and rule of law operate as necessary conditions for achieving high sustainability performance. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by combining fsQCA and NCA to uncover both configurational and necessary relationships between institutional quality and HEI sustainability performance in Latin America, moving beyond traditional linear approaches. The findings provide important implications for policymakers and university managers.
Pinheiro et al. (Mon,) studied this question.