Lasting impact: Poznań University of Economics & Business and Esade Business School awarded BSIS label renewals
We are pleased to announce that Poznań University of Economics and Business (PUEB) and Esade Business School have successfully completed the EFMD Business School Impact System (BSIS) assessment process and have been awarded a renewal of their BSIS labels for positive impact.
The EFMD BSIS review team recognised PUEB for its substantial contribution to education, research, regional economic development and societal well-being, and Esade for its continued progress in embedding impact within its strategy, education, research and engagement with society. PUEB was first awarded the BSIS label in 2023, while Esade received it in 2022.
Addressing the schools’ achievements, EFMD BSIS Director François Bonvalet remarked:
“Congratulations to Poznań University of Economics and Business and Esade Business School on renewing their BSIS labels. Both institutions demonstrate how business schools can create meaningful and lasting impact through education, research and engagement with business and society in a lot of dimensions. While their contributions reflect distinct institutional strengths, in different contexts, both show a clear long-run commitment to understanding, measuring and maximising their positive impact. Their achievements reaffirm the value of the BSIS process in recognising the contribution of business schools to economic development, social well-being and the communities they serve, even for schools of such a level of quality and reputation.”
Poznań University of Economics and Business
Founded in 1926 as the first higher education institution in the West Pomerania region in Poland, Poznań University of Economics and Business has a long tradition of education and a strong academic standing supported by intensive research activities. With a commanding reputation in Poland, it hosts over 7 000 students, offering academic programmes at all levels, guided by a mission to conduct innovative research and educate leaders of the future. PUEB is acknowledged as a highly visible and pivotal player in the region, being skilled at fostering collaboration with the local business ecosystem and academia.
Developing talent for the economy
The BSIS review team confirmed PUEB’s position as an influential academic institution with deep regional roots, international research visibility and established relationships with business, public institutions, alumni and the wider community.
The team highlighted PUEB’s role in developing talent for the regional and national economy through its broad portfolio of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, MBA and executive education programmes. Close collaboration with employers informs curriculum development, internships, student projects and practical learning, while its active alumni community contributes professional expertise, mentoring and leadership across business and public institutions.
Research with practical relevance
The university’s research demonstrates considerable scale and international reach, encompassing a substantial body of academic journal articles, books and book chapters. Its Scopus-indexed publications have attracted considerable scholarly attention, with a notable proportion appearing in highly ranked journals and among the most cited publications globally.
Importantly, this academic output translates into practical value through research addressing regional labour markets, tourism, economic transformation and public policy, including initiatives supporting the integration of displaced populations and the Poznań Tourism Barometer, which informs regional analysis and planning.
Partnerships that strengthen regional impact
A further strength identified by the review team was PUEB’s role as a facilitator of collaboration between academia, business and public institutions. The university’s extensive international partnerships, its Partner Club comprising regional, national and international companies and organisations, and its dedicated Knowledge Transfer Company and Business Hub provide established channels for applied research, consultancy, knowledge transfer and joint initiatives.
Stakeholder interviews reinforced the university’s reputation for accessibility and responsiveness to external partners. Its contributions to public debate, professional networks and regional development further strengthen its position as an active participant in shaping the economic and social priorities of Wielkopolska and beyond.
Responsible leadership and social inclusion
The review also recognised PUEB’s commitment to responsible leadership, sustainability and social inclusion. These priorities are reflected in teaching, research, community engagement and organisational practice, including student projects addressing social and environmental challenges, outreach to schools and local communities, and the Academy of Future Skills, which supports beneficiaries through digital, financial and green skills training.
Through a regular programme of events addressing sustainability, responsible management and social inclusion, the university demonstrates how its educational mission extends beyond professional preparation to the development of responsible citizens and leaders.
A coherent contribution to society
For the review team, PUEB’s defining strength lies in the coherence of its contribution: education develops talent, research generates knowledge with practical relevance, partnerships translate expertise into action, and societal engagement supports inclusive and sustainable regional development. The BSIS assessment provided a structured, evidence-based framework for examining these contributions, validating established strengths while identifying opportunities to deepen the university’s impact and inform future strategic priorities.
Renewing the commitment to regional development
The renewal of the BSIS label recognises both PUEB’s demonstrated achievements and its capacity for continued development. As Rector Professor Barbara Jankowska noted, the process helped the university articulate its contribution to the wider community and identify further opportunities to strengthen its role as a driver of regional development. The renewed label confirms PUEB’s established impact in Poznań and Wielkopolska, its growing international reach, and its commitment to measuring, managing and continually improving the value it creates for business and society.
Prof. Barbara Jankowska, Rector of the Poznań University of Economics and Business, commented:
“Poznań University of Economics and Business (PUEB) demonstrates how a business school can truly create impact. The renewal of the BSIS label for another three years is a meaningful recognition of the impact our University generates for Wielkopolska region and beyond. The BSIS process gave us a structured, evidence-based framework to assess and articulate our contribution to the wider ecosystem. It confirmed the value we create through the education we deliver, the research we produce and the close partnerships we maintain with business, public institutions and our alumni community. Beyond validation, the assessment proved to be a genuine strategic catalyst. It sharpened our understanding of how our work translates into real outcomes for stakeholders and revealed further opportunities to deepen our role as an engine of regional development. We are proud to continue belonging to the BSIS community and remain committed to strengthening our impact, locally in Poznań and internationally.”
Esade Business School
Founded in 1958, Esade is a global Jesuit academic institution with campuses in Barcelona and Madrid and partnerships and collaboration agreements with 271 universities and business schools worldwide. Each year, 12,000 students from more than 100 countries participate in programmes offered by its three academic centres: the Business School, the Law School, and Executive Education.
Esade consistently ranks among the top schools in major international rankings, including those published by The Financial Times, The Economist, QS, and AméricaEconomía, which recognise the excellence of its academic model and the educational experience, as well as the prestige of its faculty and socially impactful research. Esade is a member of UNIJES and IAJU and is part of Ramon Llull University.
The BSIS review team recognised Esade for its strategic, integrated and participatory approach to impact, supported by stakeholder engagement and advances in impact measurement and management.
International reach and regional contribution
Esade attracts a substantial proportion of international degree-seeking students while maintaining strong links with its regional and national communities. Graduate employment patterns reinforce this dual contribution, with graduates entering regional and international job markets and international graduates beginning their careers in the region. Undergraduate programmes provide a particularly strong local talent pipeline, with most confirmed placements in Barcelona. The team also recognised the school’s Jesuit educational tradition as an important foundation for its commitment to ethics, social responsibility and sustainability.
Executive education and professional development
Executive education and part-time programmes further strengthen Esade’s contribution to professional development and organisational growth. Thousands of participants from the impact zone continue to complete its executive education programmes yearly, and custom programmes for leading organisations demonstrate the school’s role as a strategic partner in developing organisational capabilities. Part-time Master’s and MBA-level programmes also supported professional advancement, with active employer sponsorship reinforcing their relevance to the region’s workforce.
Alumni networks and entrepreneurship
The alumni community emerged as another significant strength. More than 35,000 Esade alumni work within the impact zone, supported by a formal Alumni Association, hundreds of annual activities and an extensive network of international chapters. The team highlighted a positive Social Return on Investment of nearly three euros for every euro invested, mentoring for alumni and an angel investment network that has supported hundreds of entrepreneurial projects. Several ventures have secured millions of euros in investment, demonstrating the network’s contribution to entrepreneurship and regional development.
Integrating sustainability into education and research
The assessment also recognised Esade’s established commitment to societal impact. Its activities are structured through its Sustainability Plan, supported by core commitments and a comprehensive set of indicators. The annual Sustainability and Impact Report was highlighted as an example of sector best practice in impact measurement and management.
Sustainability and social responsibility are integrated into the educational experience, with all students engaging in relevant learning and most core faculty incorporating these themes into their teaching. Student-led initiatives, Esade SUD projects, Fusion Point and eWorks ventures and the work of the school’s research and knowledge centres help address challenges facing businesses and communities. Research produced during the reporting period addressed all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Institutional responsibility, inclusion and equity
The team also recognised the consistency between Esade’s stated values and its institutional practices. Its campuses hold LEED Gold certification, the school has achieved carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 and 2, and it has purchased renewable electricity exclusively for several years. A record level of scholarship funding has supported hundreds of students, while progress on the gender pay gap, an internationally diverse faculty and student inclusion initiatives demonstrate a sustained commitment to access and equity.
Stakeholder feedback reinforced these findings. Faculty, students and alumni most frequently described Esade as entrepreneurial, diverse and international, with many identifying impact as part of the school’s character. The renewal of the BSIS label recognises the collective efforts of the Esade community and its progress towards placing impact at the heart of institutional strategy. It also reflects the school’s continued commitment to contributing to society through education, research, entrepreneurship and responsible management.
Lisa Hehenberger, Dean of Esade Business School, commented:
“We see impact as a shared responsibility that begins with education and continues in the organisations and communities where our students and alumni are active. This renewal recognises the work of the entire Esade community to turn knowledge into opportunity and help address society’s challenges. The renewal of the BSIS label recognizes our progress and reinforces our commitment to Meaningful Impact, the strategy that places impact at the heart of Esade. Through this strategy, we aim to expand our contribution to society and consolidate our position as a leading school in this field.”
About BSIS
The Business School Impact System (BSIS) is the first comprehensive impact assessment tool for business schools, covering more than 130 indicators across seven dimensions of impact. It provides a tailor-made data-collection system for monitoring, assessing, and developing the impact of business schools.
The BSIS review process involves defining the impact zone and institutional scope, collecting data, conducting an impact assessment, and producing a report with recommendations for future development. Demonstrating the school’s impact on internal and external stakeholders, the system serves as a communication and negotiation tool externally and fosters an impact culture within the school. Schools that undergo BSIS are awarded the BSIS Label for a three-year period.
- There are currently more than 100 schools across 30 countries that have received the BSIS label.
- To learn more about the impact assessment system, please visit the BSIS website or contact Julie Comte.
What is it like for schools to undergo the BSIS process? Discover the compelling journey of Blanka Cimcioch, International Accreditations Coordinator at Poznań University of Economics and Business, as she shares her insights on navigating the BSIS process, highlighting the challenges, seizing the opportunities, and reaping the rewarding results it has yielded. Read more.
For additional insights, announcements, and perspectives on the BSIS review process, please visit the conversation on the EFMD Business School Impact System (BSIS).
