Abstract
This paper examines the theoretical issues and research themes of business and management impact. Our empirical setting is the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF 2014) and the focus is on the nature of research impact. Stakeholders, including Governments, now expect academic outputs to translate to real world benefits beyond the narrow bibliometric type metrics. Despite decades of academic literature devoted to business and management research impact, current theories cannot explain the apparent disconnect between academic, economic and societal practice. Adopting a UK Business and Management perspective to frame our investigation, we consider the highly contested rhetorical question – what are the current themes and impacts of Business and Management research? We propose a definition for research impact and consider its measurement. Then, using the 410 Impact Case Studies submitted to REF 2014 - Unit of Assessment 19, business and management, we examine how high impact unfolds. The implications for business and management research impact from the perspectives of economic, knowledge and responsibility impacts are considered.
Highlights
It would be useful to include an introduction that indicates the problem statement, key questions, theoretical framing, methodological approach, and structure of the paper
This paper suggests that business schools (BSs) research strategies that have primarily focused on high quality scholarship and outputs are not enhancing the engagement agenda for economic impact
The challenge for universities that wish to see their BSs engage more fully with stakeholders, unlike many other faculties, is the large student population and revenue generating role they have for their organizations
Summary
It would be useful to include an introduction that indicates the problem statement, key questions, theoretical framing, methodological approach, and structure of the paper. UK business schools (BSs) contribute £3.35bn to the UK economy and provide financial cross subsidies to other university schools (Bradshaw, 2017). ○ Can you include a citation about your point that business schools are influential? ○ You might cite Bennis and O’Toole in reference to business schools losing their way. It would be useful to see some insights into why the research problem matters, e.g. for individuals’ careers, the legitimacy of business schools in society, and some indication perhaps about consultations regarding the REF after 2021 in terms of a greater focus on research teams (Rob Blackburn is a good point of contact) to alleviate current problems. Theoretical challenges: You may find that these articles relevant here:
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