New global Impact Index unveils business schools’ case impact: When the case method was established at Harvard Business School over a century ago, few could’ve predicted its far-reaching impact on business education worldwide.

Today, the case method remains an irreplaceable cornerstone of management education. In the 2022-23 academic year, 1,187 organisations across 85 countries purchased cases from The Case Centre for use in their programmes.

The newly introduced Impact Index, derived from usage data from The Case Centre, shines a light on the global reach and impact of business schools’ case writing during the previous academic year.

Methodology

To determine the ranking, the Impact Index considers the number of a school’s cases adopted, the breadth of adoption across organisations and countries, and the number of individual students taught with the cases. All organisations that published at least one case with The Case Centre in the preceding academic year are eligible.

Vicky Lester, Chief Executive Officer of The Case Centre, commented:

“As the independent home of the case method, we have, for many years, been asked which schools have the most impact with their case writing. After extensive and meticulous efforts, I am thrilled to unveil our inaugural Impact Index. This marks a significant addition to our recognition portfolio, playing a pivotal role in our mission to support and advance the case method worldwide.

“Cases have a profound impact in many ways but often receive less recognition than other research outputs. The Case Centre Impact Index rewards schools who demonstrate unwavering commitment to case writing, and who strive to ensure the development and dissemination of top-tier cases within the business education community. I hope that the Impact Index will inspire schools to recognise the value of case writing and to invest in resources to support their faculty in this important endeavour.”

Professor Ruth Bender, Chair of The Case Centre’s Board of Trustees said:

“Case-producing schools often struggle to gauge the true impact of their case writing efforts. The Board and I are pleased that The Case Centre Impact Index provides valuable insights into the often-unrecognised impact of this work.

“It is truly rewarding to witness the commitment of these business schools to crafting high-calibre cases and generously sharing them with fellow business educators. This collaborative spirit contributes significantly to elevating standards of teaching and learning across the board. Congratulations are in order for all 50 schools, each deserving recognition for their outstanding case impact.”

Read more about the Impact Index at The Case Centre.

The Case Centre Impact Index 2023

1          Harvard Business School

2          ICFAI Business School (IBS)

3          INSEAD

4          International Institute for Management Development (IMD)

5          Ivey Business School

6          Amity Global Business School

7          Stanford Graduate School of Business

8          University of Virginia Darden School of Business

9          Copenhagen Business School

10        Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM)

11        London Business School

12        Columbia Business School

13        Kellogg School of Management

14        Babson College

15        IESE Business School

16        HEC Paris

17        Singapore Management University

18        ESMT Berlin

19        HKU Business School

20        Thunderbird School of Global Management

21        University of St. Gallen

22        Institute of Management Technology

23        IÉSEG School of Management

24         IE Business School

25        ESSEC Business School

26        China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

27        SDA Bocconi School of Management

28        Harvard Kennedy School

29        Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Business School

30        Michigan Ross School of Business

31        Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

32        ESADE Business School

33        Vlerick Business School

34        ESCP Business School

35        McDonough School of Business

36        The Wharton School

37        National University of Singapore Business School

38 (j)     Newcastle University Business School

38 (j)     School of Business Administration, Penn State Harrisburg

40        WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management

41        USC Marshall School of Business

42        UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

43        Cambridge Judge Business School

44        Beedie School of Business

45        Hult International Business School

46        HEC Montréal

47        University of Bath School of Management

48        Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business

49        WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

50        Fox School of Business at Temple University

(j) indicates joint winners

For more information on each school’s case writing commitment, use the links above.

The Case Centre is the independent home of the case method and is dedicated to advancing the case method worldwide, sharing knowledge, wisdom and experience to inspire and transform business education across the globe. It is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity.

For additional insights, trends and perspectives about the Case Method, visit the conversation here.