Global Research Impact Task Force

The following report, A Framework for Research Impact: Insights, Pathways, and Calls to Action, reflects months of work by the Global Research Impact Task Force and extensive input from stakeholders across the business education and research ecosystem. Through environmental scanning, roundtables, focus groups, advisory discussions, board engagement, and a global survey of nearly 1,000 deans, faculty, and industry representatives, the task force gathered broad perspectives on research impact. An exposure draft released in October 2025 was further refined through feedback collected across AACSB convenings and partner networks.

The resulting report provides a foundation for the next phase of the initiative, focused on implementation, collaboration, and collective action across the research ecosystem. It introduces a framework to help business schools and stakeholders better define, support, assess, and communicate research impact through an integrated view of teaching, scholarship, and societal engagement. To support these efforts, the report also includes a Research Impact Assessment Tool and a Research Impact Ecosystem Guide.