Green Skills for Sustainable Transformation: A Comparative Literature Review and the GreenSMILE Competence Model
Keywords:
Green Skills, Competence Models, Sustainability, Transformation, Competence DevelopmentAbstract
In light of global sustainability challenges, competence development (CD) has become a key enabler for green transformation. However, a consolidated overview of existing green competence models remains limited. This paper addresses the gap through a systematic literature review of 27 academic and policy-based models, analysed by structural logic, competence dimensions, target groups, and semantic patterns. The review reveals blind spots, particu-larly the high-level nature of many frameworks, which limits their transfera-bility to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In response, the GreenSMILE Competence Model is introduced – a practice-oriented ap-proach tailored to the specific challenges of SMEs. The model integrates a three-tiered competence pyramid –interpersonal, professional, and sector-specific – with five cross-cutting thematic clusters. Combined with role pro-files and materiality analysis, it enables the structured mapping of green and enabling skills across vertical depth and thematic breadth. This enables tar-geted qualification strategies and facilitates the integration of green skills in-to both strategic and operational processes. By linking abstract frameworks with operational SME needs, the GreenSMILE Competence Model supports strategic CD during green transition.
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