The ABDC has launched an innovative framework to assess the societal impact of business research to stakeholders in and outside of academia.

The framework is the culmination of a year-long project led by Dr Chelsea Phillips (ABDC Postdoctoral Researcher), Professor Tracy Taylor (Chair of the ABDC’s research network, RMIT University), Professor Karin Sanders (Chair of the ABDC’s Societal Impact Project, UNSW Business School) and Caroline Falshaw (ABDC Executive Officer).

The team adopted a triangulated approach, involving reviews of academic literature, of existing impact frameworks, and consultation with ABDC members and business researchers to develop a strategic tool for business schools that enables them to reflect all research activities that contribute to generating societal impact.

Dr Phillips says: ‘Business researchers are at the forefront of addressing major societal challenges such as food insecurity, housing affordability, economic productivity, skills shortages and more, but these impacts often are under-recognised by the community and policymakers.

‘Many current frameworks are designed for STEM disciplines which have more linear pathways to societal impact compared to business disciplines. This makes it difficult for business schools to capture and amplify their societal impact.

‘The framework overcomes this by organising stages of research activities by stakeholder type, across a pathway of societal impact. It captures activities such as data collection, media engagement, government reports, and partnerships with organisations, demonstrating the practical solutions that business researchers generate for significant societal challenges.’

Professor Karin Sanders, Chair of the ABDC’s Societal Impact Project, and Senior Deputy Dean (Research & Enterprise) at UNSW Business School says: ‘The framework is an important intervention to recognise scholarly and societal impact equally. It presents an opportunity for business schools to change academic performance management systems.’

Professor Brent Ritchie, Interim ABDC President, says that the framework is a vital tool for business school leaders: ‘Being able to capture and communicate about the societal impact of business research is critical at a time when trust in universities is declining. We intend for this model to be widely adopted by business schools and to foster vital dialogue about the societal impact of business research.’

For further information and to arrange interviews with the project team contact:

Caroline Falshaw, ABDC Executive Officer office@abdc.edu.au.