Chartered ABS publishes research on business schools and knowledge exchange

The Chartered ABS has published its report on the nature and impact of knowledge exchange (KE) activities in UK business schools. The research was commissioned by the Chartered ABS to fill in crucial gaps in our understanding of business schools and KE given that current metrics are likely to understate much of the KE activities being undertaken by business schools.

The project used a mixed-methods research approach and was implemented by Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, and Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. The findings are based on a literature review, interviews and roundtables with KE practitioners, Senior Managers and business school Deans, and an online survey completed by both academics and professional services staff members.

The report presents a toolkit which can serve as a template to capture KE activities within UK business schools.

Key findings from the report: 

KE is viewed as central to business schools’ efforts to engage with the wider society and to enhance learning and teaching

• 91% of Deans agreed that KE helps enhance the quality of learning and teaching. 

• The KE activities of business schools are primarily aimed at contributing to SMEs and local growth.  

• 82% of Deans have engaged in KE activity with local government bodies.  

Senior Managers in UK business schools are motivated to engage in KE but opportunities are often limited and the rewards are not seen as sufficient 

• 90% of the Deans and 85% of the Senior Managers agreed that their schools were motivated to engage in KE activities.  

• However, there were low levels of agreement amongst Deans (22%) and Senior Managers (17%), that engagement in KE is rewarded within their schools.  

Half of the responding business schools do not have a clearly defined KE strategy and a majority felt that they do not have adequate resources for KE in key areas 

• The responses from the Senior Managers survey revealed that 50% of the responding business schools had a clearly defined KE strategy. KE strategy is often perceived as a sub-pillar of overall university strategy.   

• A majority of Deans and Senior Managers feel that business schools are not adequately supported for KE activities in terms of finance, HR, admin, training, IP and legal resources. 

• However, much higher proportions of Deans and Senior Managers agree that support for impact and bid development is available. 

Download the full report.