Societal Impact Measures from the Lens of AACSB Accreditation

Universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are facing ever greater pressures to demonstrate their value to, and impact on the societies and communities they hail from. In a dynamic environment, where new developments are taking hold, from the onset of COVID-19 and shift to online learning, to wide-spread disruption across all business industries, HEIs are challenged to demonstrate how they can be part of the solution, if not at the forefront in solving some of these complex issues that impact business and society directly.

Business schools seeking or maintaining AACSB Accreditation must demonstrate their contribution to, and positive impact on society, through various activities and deliverables. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated these pressures, with some stakeholders questioning the value of both online education, and HEIs’ positive contributions to society both locally and internationally during these exceptional times. Business schools must re-examine their roles in society, beyond their traditional roles and output related to upskilling, producing new talent, and the generation of new knowledge through scholarship and research.

This forum aims to share best practice vis-à-vis society impact, plans, and metrics. Leaders in HEIs will present their nuanced insights into some of their unique mission-driven approaches, philosophies, and measures of success as adopted by their respective Business Schools.