Measuring the long-term impact of business school research on academia, teaching, society and decision makers

Abstract

Research shapes, in one way or another, the activities of nearly every business school. It is a cornerstone that defines institutional prestige, faculty recruitment, and student demand. However, despite the billions invested annually, much of this research receives limited attention beyond academia. This article introduces a comprehensive conceptual framework that distinguishes between four types of impact, depending on the primary stakeholder group the research addresses. We separate academic, teaching, societal, and managerial impact through its influence on the behavior of fellow academics, consumers/ public policymakers, students, and managers. By proposing a set of short-term impact signals and medium-term impact measures, we map the path from research publication to long-term impact. Our framework offers actionable insights for business school deans, journal editors, and faculty. We identify current challenges in measuring research impact, including output variety, attribution, and data availability. We hope our framework can guide decision-makers seeking to enhance the visibility and real-world influence of business school research. This article accompanies and explains the underlying thinking in an experimental new standalone Financial Times research ranking (www.ft.com/bsis)