AACSB-Led Coalition Unveils Global Framework To Redefine Business School Research Impact

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- A coalition of 10 global academic organisations has released a new framework aimed at helping business schools better define, measure and communicate the impact of their research beyond academia.

The report, titled A Framework for Research Impact: Insights, Pathways, and Calls to Action, was launched in conjunction with the AACSB Research Impact Conference, organised by AACSB International in partnership with the Academy of Management.

It outlines an expanded approach to research impact, linking academic work not only to scholarly output but also to business practice, public policy, teaching and broader societal outcomes, according to AACSB in a statement.

AACSB president and chief executive officer, Lily Bi said research impact has historically been defined too narrowly, adding that the new framework helps institutions move from measuring outputs to understanding outcomes and real-world impact.

The framework was developed by AACSB’s Global Research Impact Task Force, comprising organisations including the American Marketing Association, Association for Information Systems, European Accounting Association and other global academic bodies.

It follows months of consultation across the business education ecosystem, including global surveys, roundtables, focus groups and feedback on an earlier exposure draft released in October 2025.

The report emphasises that meaningful research impact often emerges through sustained engagement between researchers, practitioners, policymakers and communities, and calls for better alignment between institutional strategy, incentives and evaluation systems.

It also includes practical tools such as a research impact assessment tool and an ecosystem guide to help institutions review and strengthen their current practices.

AACSB said the initiative aligns with its 2026 Global Standards for Business Education and broader efforts to encourage more inclusive and multidimensional definitions of academic impact.

-- BERNAMA