Strategic management and innovation. A checklist for readiness evaluation of AACSB standards
| Pages | 259-277 |
| Published date | 04 April 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/QAE-01-2015-0001 |
| Date | 04 April 2016 |
| Author | Goutam Kumar Kundu,Jayachandra Bairi |
| Subject Matter | Education,Curriculum, instruction & assessment,Educational evaluation/assessment |
Strategic management and
innovation
A checklist for readiness evaluation of
AACSB standards
Goutam Kumar Kundu
VIT Business School, VIT University, Vellore, India, and
Jayachandra Bairi
SAIC India, Bangalore, India
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of a checklist, focusing on the detailed
analysis of the requirement of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
standards related to strategic management and innovation area, for evaluation of implementation
readiness in a business school setting.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents an articulated procedure for the development
of the checklist. The study adopted a multi-method approach for developing the nal content for the
checklist.
Findings – The introduction of the checklist has provided a systemic approach to process design and
evaluation of readiness of a business school for AACSB accreditation related to strategic management
and innovation area. The checklist was developed and applied over the course of systematic reviews in
a business school setting.
Research limitations/implications – The present study has developed the checklist comprising
the requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area only. In the near
future, the authors intend to develop checklists for the remaining areas of AACSB standards.
Originality/value – The present work attempts to develop a comprehensive checklist comprising the
requirements of the standards related to strategic management and innovation area. Academic
institutions can benet from the checklist whether they are planning to implement AACSB standards
for accreditation or are interested in changing their current processes following AACSB standards.
Keywords Strategic management, AACSB, Standard, Checklist, Accreditation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In the past two decades, academic community has witnessed a rapid increase in the
number of business schools seeking accreditation (Elliott and Goh, 2013). Business
schools view accreditation as an important factor of success in the future (Cornuel, 2007),
as it helps in achieving international recognition and provides assurance to the
intending students that an independent agency has assessed the schools’ portfolio of
activities and found them to have passed its rigorous quality standards (Wilson and
Thomas, 2012). The focus of accreditation standards is on the consistency and coherence
of programs (Cornuel and Kletz, 2011;Kletz, 2009), evaluation of the school and
improvement of its quality (Urgel, 2007).
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0968-4883.htm
Strategic
management
and
innovation
259
Received 6 January 2015
Revised 1 September 2015
Accepted 19 October 2015
QualityAssurance in Education
Vol.24 No. 2, 2016
pp.259-277
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0968-4883
DOI 10.1108/QAE-01-2015-0001
Accreditation is an external evaluation conducted by a designated authority
(Greeneld et al., 2011) which plays an intermediary or facilitator role between business
schools and their stakeholders (Cooper et al., 2014). Typically, the accreditation process
follows a sequence of steps, and these include self-assessment against the accrediting
body’s standards and a site visit followed by a report, which may include
recommendations (Pomey et al., 2010).
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of
MBAs and European Quality Improvement System are the accreditation bodies which
assess business schools through self-assessment document, supporting documentation
and visiting the schools to meet with their internal and external stakeholders. According
to Pomey et al. (2010), self-assessment process helps to identify problem areas and
refocus the organization on important issues, while the reports and recommendations of
the accreditation body require a response and may require changes to the existing
processes. Process documentation is another important aspect of many accreditations,
as through this documentation, the institution is viewed to be making itself accountable
to these external parties (Julian and Ofori-Dankwa, 2006). The accreditation bodies
attempt to look for formal processes, measurable outcomes and process improvement
initiatives based on the concept of continuous improvement. It is through the process of
self-assessment, evaluation, dialogue and recommendation of the accreditation body
that the changes and improvements take place in the delivery system of a business
school. All accreditation bodies have some basic principles for application procedure. In
case of AACSB, its set of standards is the basis for accreditation which is likely to vary
through time as new versions are released. For business management programs around
the world, AACSB is the most recognized global quality assurance program (Goby and
Nickerson, 2014). Many business schools perceive that AACSB accreditation is
valuable, meaningful and essential in today’s globally competitive environment (Miles
et al., 2015). AACSB standards are becoming increasingly important for business
schools that aspire to become global (Trapnell, 2007;Espiritu, 2007;Bieker, 2014).
Clear understanding of the standards is very important for a business school which
is planning to go for accreditation. The standards should be discussed with the related
people, and both the weakness and strength of the existing practices should be
identied. It requires examination of the current organizational systems, processes and
practices to evaluate whether they meet the requirements of the standard. After this,
improvements should be planned on the basis of evaluation, if necessary. It requires
documentation and follow-up evaluation in a certain period. This is the most critical
stage of preparation for accreditation. Based on the evaluation ndings, the school can
decide whether it is ready for accreditation application. It may take more time, effort and
money than initial expectation to adopt the existing practices to the requirements of the
standard. A business school may or may not have an established quality system. If the
business school does not have an established quality system, it may take a long time to
develop and establish the quality system. The authors have chosen AACSB, as it has
become increasingly important for business schools to achieve and maintain AACSB
accreditation (Romero, 2008). Like most accreditation and certication, AACSB
accreditation also requires hard work and commitment at all levels. It is very essential
for the business schools that are planning to go for accreditation, to thoroughly
understand what is required by the accreditation standards and take account of the
requirements during the planning and performing of actions.
QAE
24,2
260
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