Kuala lumpur: A coalition of 10 global academic organisations has released a new framework aimed at helping business schools better define, measure and communicate the impact of their research beyond academia. The report, titled A Framework for Research Impact: Insights, Pathways, and Calls to Action, was launched in conjunction with the AACSB Research Impact Conference, organised by AACSB International in partnership with the Academy of Management.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the report outlines an expanded approach to research impact, linking academic work not only to scholarly output but also to business practice, public policy, teaching and broader societal outcomes. AACSB president and chief executive officer, Lily Bi, noted that research impact has historically been defined too narrowly. She emphasized that the new framework helps institutions shift from measuring outputs to understanding outcomes and real-world impact.

The framework was developed by AACSB's Global Research Impact Task Force, which includes organisations such as the American Marketing Association, Association for Information Systems, and European Accounting Association, among other global academic bodies. It follows months of consultation across the business education ecosystem, including global surveys, roundtables, focus groups, and feedback on an earlier exposure draft released in October 2025.

The report stresses that meaningful research impact often emerges through sustained engagement between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities. It calls for better alignment between institutional strategy, incentives, and evaluation systems. Additionally, it includes practical tools such as a research impact assessment tool and an ecosystem guide to help institutions review and strengthen their current practices.

AACSB stated that the initiative aligns with its 2026 Global Standards for Business Education and broader efforts to encourage more inclusive and multidimensional definitions of academic impact.