AACSB International Joins with Seven Leading Professional Scholarly Bodies to Form the Research Impact Task Force to Drive Societal Impact

Tampa, FL – January 10, 2025 – AACSB International (AACSB), the world’s leading association and standard-setting body for business school excellence, announces the formation of its Research Impact Task Force, a new initiative aimed at reimagining research impact, redefining its characteristics and principles, and exploring innovative ways to measure the impact of academic research. This initiative reflects AACSB’s mission to elevate the quality and impact of business schools worldwide.

The task force, composed of distinguished leaders from the business academic community and professional scholarly societies, will develop a comprehensive framework for assessing and enhancing the societal impact of business research. The task force includes representatives from:

• Academy of Management
• Asia Academy of Management
• Association for Information Systems
• Academy of International Business
• American Accounting Association
• European Accounting Association
• Production & Operations Management Society

Through collaboration with key stakeholders, the task force aims to:

• Reimagine academic research assessment to prioritize societal impact.
• Bridge the gap between scholarly achievements and the needs of society and business practice.
• Elevate academic standards to promote responsible, purpose-driven research.
• Foster an ecosystem where research drives meaningful benefits for communities, policymakers, and industries globally.

The task force’s efforts will culminate in the development of the Global Research Impact Framework, which will be unveiled at AACSB’s 2026 International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM) in Seattle, Washington, USA.

"Research is the cornerstone of innovation and progress. By aligning scholarly efforts with societal needs, we can unlock transformative solutions that not only demonstrate academic excellence but also deliver meaningful impact for businesses, policymakers, and communities worldwide," said Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB. "AACSB is honored to lead and collaborate with these distinguished organizations to ensure that business schools cultivate research that excels academically and drives real-world change."

As part of its work, the task force will present a project statement at ICAM 2025 in Vienna, Austria. This event will provide a collaborative platform for AACSB members and other stakeholders to review and provide feedback to ensure that the final framework is inclusive, actionable, and impactful.

For more information about the Research Impact Task Force and AACSB’s efforts to advance business education globally, please visit www.aacsb.edu.

About AACSB International

Established in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) is the world’s largest business education association, connecting business schools, business, and lifelong learners to create the next generation of great leaders. With members in over 100 countries and territories, AACSB elevates the quality and impact of business schools globally. Learn how AACSB and business schools from around the world are leading boldly in business education at aacsb.edu.

Media Contact:

Andrew Thriffiley
[email protected]
AACSB International