Frequently Asked Questions about AACSB Thought Leadership

What is meant by “Thought Leadership”?

AACSB’s goal is to be the world's most respected and informed voice regarding significant issues in management education.Thought Leadership encompasses efforts to identify emerging issues and challenges, and help our members and the industry to deal with them.

What topics have AACSB thought leadership initiatives addressed in the past?

Previous Thought Leadership Initiatives have addressed topics including the doctoral faculty shortage, ethics education, the value of management education, bringing peace through commerce, business school rankings, links between business and business schools, and the impact of business school research. Many of the association’s Thought Leadership reports have served as a catalyst for the development of Resource Centers that can serve as an ongoing and evolving source of information, tools, and discussion about the selected topic. 

How are Thought Leadership topics identified, and who writes the reports that address those topics?

The Committee on Issues in Management Education (CIME), a standing committee of the AACSB Board of Directors, is charged with identifying emerging issues and challenges in management education on a global basis. The committee evaluates issues and challenges and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors on AACSB International policies, plans and techniques for addressing identified issues and challenges. Often, the committee will appoint a special task force to evaluate the issue and make recommendations on its behalf. The committee will select individuals who are knowledgeable of the topic and who represent the diversity of AACSB member schools to serve on the task forces.

Are AACSB’s thought leadership activities intended to be advocacy initiatives?

Thought Leadership and Advocacy are intentionally distinct. Thought leadership activities objectively research and explore trends, issues, and challenges relevant to member institutions. These activities are intended to provide a foundation for the generation of innovative ideas that may impact management education.  Recommendations that appear within thought leadership reports represent the informed opinion of those charged by CIME to address the topic (often a task force); however the Board of Directors is not obligated to endorse or implement all of the recommendations, or to take the viewpoint.

Advocacy, which may be stimulated or supported by thought leadership, requires AACSB to take a position regarding key issues relevant to our member schools.   It encompasses efforts to persuade internal or external stakeholder groups to adopt a position or course of action which the association endorses.

How can I help to suggest or define issues for AACSB to consider addressing in the future?

Thought Leadership topics are identified through consideration of feedback from our member schools regarding the issues and challenges they are facing or will face in the future.  Often this feedback emerges through member schools’ participation in AACSB conferences, affinity groups, and regional deans groups. At any time, specific suggestions may be conveyed directly to members of the Committee on Issues in Management Education (CIME) or Board of Directors, or to Dan LeClair, AACSB’s Vice-President and Chief Knowledge Officer. AACSB also administers a survey of its member schools approximately every three years as part of our ongoing efforts to collect information regarding the issues and challenges of greatest concern our members.

Where can I find copies of Thought Leadership Reports?

Please visit our Publications page for a complete list of Thought Leadership Reports and information on how to download an electronic version or request a copy.