Frequently Asked Questions

Final Report of the Impact of Research Task Force

Q. What motivated AACSB International to study the issue of research?

A. A combination of factors, including the growth in importance of research, changes in the environment of business schools, recent criticisms, and the general lack of understanding about the value of business school research.

Q. Who should read this report?

A. The report is written for multiple audiences. Business deans and faculties will find a thorough analysis and far-reaching recommendations. We hope that university leaders will develop a deeper appreciation for what makes business school research unique in university environments. Practicing managers and policy makers may find ways to leverage and get involved in with academic research.

Q. Does this report conclude that business school research is irrelevant to practice?

A. The task force does not take a position on this question. There are opinions and evidence on both sides. The task force does assert that both rigor and relevance are valuable and offers recommendations that can increase the value of research to practicing managers and academics alike.

Q. If the recommendations are implemented, could schools that do not include research as part of their mission be accredited by AACSB International?

A. No, AACSB accreditation standards require business schools to have a mission that includes the advancement of management knowledge and practice.

Q. If the recommendations are implemented, will this diminish the respect business schools have earned in academic environments?

A. The report reaffirms AACSB commitment to high-quality scholarship. Research is as important to business schools as it is to other academic areas in universities. However, AACSB also believes that the business schools have responsibility to practice, not just underlying disciplines and argues persuasively for university leaders to consider what this means for how research is measured to ensure effective alignment with the missions of their business schools.

Q. Does this report mean that schools with a teaching mission should not do basic research?

A. It suggests that schools with a teaching mission should align their general scholarship expectations and systems accordingly. This does not prohibit individual faculty members from doing basic research and should give individuals and schools more confidence to pursue research to advance practice and pedagogy.

Q. Won’t measures of impact necessarily focus on the near term—doesn’t it take a long time for some research insights to impact practice?

A. Of course, the ultimate value of most research often will take time to become evident. At the same time, some research may result in actions or strategies not being undertaken. We should, of course, track the progress of our research over time, but also look at more immediate measures that indicate quality and impact. AACSB recognizes that measures of impact may be imprecise and are in need of further development. It is clear that AACSB must take a lead role in developing our understanding of impact measures.

Q. Were business school faculty engaged in this task force initiative?

A. The immediate past president of the Academy of Management served on the task force. In addition, many of the deans on the task force have been accomplished researchers in a variety of business disciplines. Several other current or former business faculty members were also engaged in developing frameworks, discussing, and reviewing the analysis and recommendations in the report. Finally, the task force was informed by articles about business school research by business faculty.

Q. Were management practitioners engaged in this task force initiative?

A. Several practitioners served on the task force. One meeting was dedicated to hearing their perspectives. Also, the task force was supported by published research on the views of practicing managers.

Q. Does this report reflect the perspective of research-oriented schools rather than those that focus on teaching? After all, the task force is comprised mostly of deans from research schools.

A. The task force brought together a broad set of perspectives informed by missions that represent the breadth of AACSB member schools—domestically and around the globe. The views of the task force were informed by AACSB staff with comprehensive views of business school missions, data about the breadth of missions, and commitment to plurality embedded in the standards and processes.

Q. How will the shift to measuring impacts of business faculty research affect the schools?

A. Schools would have to “make the case” that their intellectual contributions are aligned with their mission and have had impacts in intended areas. This approach is similar to the transition from curriculum standards (measuring inputs) to assurance of learning standards (measuring outcomes).

Q. How will a shift to measuring impact or outcomes of research affect the standards for academic qualifications?

A. Recommendation 1 is focused more on standard 2 (mission appropriateness) than on standard 10 (faculty qualifications). Although measures of impact might be used by schools to determine maintenance of academic qualifications, this is not implied by the recommendation.

Q. What was the level of feedback received on the draft report, and how is that feedback reflected in the final report?

A. Overall, nearly 1,000 business deans, directors and professors participated in formal discussions about the report or offered feedback and suggestions during the comment period. Many valuable contributions and clarifications were made to the report as a result of the feedback received, particularly acknowledgment of the challenges inherent in implementation of Recommendation 1.

Q. When and how will the recommendations of the task force be implemented?

A. By accepting the report, the Board affirmed that the task force had completed its charge, but does not imply agreement with the conclusions or obligate AACSB to implement all of the recommendations. The Board does intend to prioritize and address all of the recommendations over time, but with the guidance of an appointed champion and an implementation task force that is representative of AACSB membership. Together with staff, the task force will evaluate each recommendation for efficacy and feasibility and bring recommendations to the Board. In some cases additional planning and research may reveal that a recommendation should be drastically modified or not pursued any further.