The impact of management research has traditionally been measured in terms of its academic contributions, such as publishing in top-tier journals and citations. However, this narrow focus has been criticized for not adequately addressing the broader societal impact of research. This paper aims to broaden the meaning of impact in management research and discuss the importance of impact beyond academia. Based on a literature review, the paper suggests that impact should also be measured in terms of its societal and practical applications, including its ability to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. The paper concludes that a broader perspective of impact is essential to address real-world problems and improve people's lives.
Adler, P. S., & Clark, K. B. (2011). Behind the learning curve: Linking learning activities to waste reduction. Strategic Management Journal, 32(9), 1011-1033.
Grant, A. M. (2012). Leading with meaning: Beneficiary contact, prosocial impact, and the performance effects of transformational leadership. Academy of Management Journal, 55(2), 458-476.
Liu, J., Kostova, T., Roth, K., & Yan, Y. (2018). Antecedents and outcomes of cultural intelligence in multinational teams. Journal of International Business Studies, 49(3), 305-328.
Suddaby, R., & Greenwood, R. (2005). Rhetorical strategies of legitimacy. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50(1), 35-67.
Van de Ven, A. H. (2007). Engaged scholarship: A guide for organizational and social research. Oxford University Press.
Whetten, D. A. (2009). An examination of the interface between context and theory applied to the study of Chinese organizations. Management and Organization Review, 5(1), 29-55.