THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSITION COMP. A COMPETENCE FRAMEWORK TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE LENSES OF DESIGN AND ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

This article presents and discusses a research study aiming to define a competence framework for sustainability training and capacity building in the specific context of manufacturing companies. It introduces the Sustainable Transition Comp (ST Comp), a competence framework developed under the ECODeCK project. The ST Comp is designed specifically for sustainability training and capacity building in the manufacturing sector. It adapts the Green Comp framework, originally developed by the European Joint Research Center, to meet the unique needs of Italian manufacturing companies. The framework was developed through a three-step process—analysis, synthesis, and refinement—guided by two key lenses: organisational culture and design. These lenses ensured the framework's relevance and applicability across various organisations. By incorporating design principles, ST Comp transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, offering a holistic approach to addressing complex sustainability challenges. The framework identifies 11 competencies organised into four areas: Values Pillars for Sustainability, Thinking Style for Sustainability, Design Processes for Sustainability, and Agency for Sustainability. Each competency integrates knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for promoting sustainable practices and driving innovation. ST Comp serves as a guide for creating design-based training initiatives, empowering employees to embed sustainability into their daily operations, and supporting the transition to more sustainable and circular business models in the manufacturing industry.