AACSB International Receives 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Silver Award for Global Research Impact Framework

AACSB International has been honored with a 2026 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Power of Associations Silver Award in recognition of its Global Research Impact Framework, a groundbreaking initiative that is redefining how business school research creates value for business, policymakers, and society. The award recognizes associations that harness the power of collaboration to address complex challenges and create meaningful impact.

The ASAE Power of Associations Awards celebrate organizations that bring stakeholders together to advance industries, strengthen professions, and improve communities. AACSB's Global Research Impact Framework exemplifies that mission by convening the global business education community to modernize how research excellence is understood, measured, and rewarded.

Recognizing that traditional measures such as journal publications and citation counts capture only part of research's value, AACSB launched the Global Research Impact Task Force in 2025. The initiative brought together nine leading scholarly societies to develop a shared framework that expands the definition of research impact while preserving the rigor that underpins academic excellence.

The initiative represents one of the most collaborative efforts ever undertaken to advance research in business education. Throughout its development, AACSB engaged nearly 1,000 deans, faculty members, researchers, and business leaders through global surveys, roundtables, focus groups, conferences, and regional events. The framework was further strengthened through consultation with publishers, journal editors, ranking organizations, funding agencies, and AACSB's Board of Directors.

"This recognition reflects the power of associations to bring together voices around a shared purpose," said Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB International. "Research has the potential to transform organizations, inform public policy, and improve lives, but realizing that potential requires collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders. The Global Research Impact Framework demonstrates what is possible when scholarly societies, business schools, and industry work together to create a more impactful research ecosystem. We are honored to receive this recognition from ASAE and grateful to every partner who helped shape this important initiative."

To learn more about AACSB's Global Research Impact Framework, visit www.aacsb.edu.