Positive Impact Rating 2021: XLRI, SPJIMR, GIM Goa recognized as Top B-schools in World at United Nations PRME Global Forum

Indian B-schools are amongst the best in the world when it comes to social impact on their community and society. XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai,Goa Institute of Management (GIM) Goa have been recognised as the top “pioneering schools” with the highest Level 5 rating in the world for their social impact and sustainability achievements. Only four B-schools from across the world were part of the highest Level 5 cluster. This recognition was announced in the 2021 edition of the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), launched on June 17, 2021 at the United Nations PRME Global Forum. PIR is a Swiss not-for-profit association and supported by WWF, Switzerland; OXFAM, Great Britain; and United Nations Global Compact Network Switzerland.

PIR is a unique student-led B-school rating that is based on student feedback and perceptions. 47 schools from 21 countries participated in PIR rating 2021 where 8800 students took the survey to give feedback about their B-schools. PIR rating is based on seven dimensions– governance, culture, programmes, learning methods, student support, institution as a role model and public engagement. Katrin Muff, President of the Positive Impact Rating Association, said: “PIR is designed as a tool to improve and transform business education. It enables schools to understand what a positive impact for society is, according to their students. The PIR highlights the potential for improvement, even for leading schools.”

Accepting the global recognition, Dr Ajit Parulekar, Director, GIM Goa told MBAUniverse.com, “This recognition clearly shows that GIM is 'Best For the World' institute  and we are honored and delighted to be named among the top 04 B-schools globally in leading pioneering change in the prestigious Positive Impact Rating (PIR) Report 2021 which is looked up to by management institutes globally.”

Dr. Chandrika Parmar, SPJIMR Faculty Member who leads the Institute’s DOCC initiative, said, “The PIR rating validates and reinforces the work SPJIMR has done over the last two decades in embedding socially sensitivity as part of its curriculum and cultivating a sustainability mind-set among our students.” PIR reports quotes several initiatives by SPJIMR includingDevelopment of Corporate Citizenship (DOCC) initiative.

PIR 2021: All rated schools in Level 5 as Pioneering Schools in Alphabetic Order

• Goa Institute of Management, India
• S P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), India
• University for Business and Technology, Kosovo
• XLRI Xavier School of Management, India

Source: PIR 2021 Report

The PIR report cited several initiatives from XLRI, SPJIMR, GIM Goa under its best practices case studies.

GIM’s ‘Give Goa’
GIM Goa’s ‘GIVE GOA’ initiative has been highlighted in the ‘Learning Methods Dimension.’ “GIM commits to creating transformative leaders focused on responsible, ethical, and sustainable business practices. As a committed member of UN PRME, UN SDSN, and GBSN, the GIM contributes actively through teaching, research, and outreach activities to bring about transformative change and contribute towards meeting the SDGs locally. GIM launched GIVE GOA, a compulsory service learning course on social impact and experiential learning for future leaders. It consists of two parts: Reflection and Action,” notes the PIR report.

SPJIMR’s DOCC
The PIR report cited several SPJIMR initiatives under its best practices case studies. It named the pioneer Development of Corporate Citizenship (DOCC) initiative, through which students engage with grassroots organisations to “listen, learn and develop solutions”. The report said, “SPJIMR has mapped the recent work across the SDGs, showing community impact in water and sanitation, health, environment, energy alternatives, disaster management, food, agriculture, empowerment, education, and social entrepreneurship.”The report also named the ‘Abhyudaya’ initiative through which participants mentor underprivileged school children, the ‘Ehsaas’ platform for social sector organisations to showcase and sell their products and the sports and culture event ‘Aasra’ that has participation from the differently abled.   

XLRI’s contribute to the underserved sections
Much respected for espousing social good as its key objective, a few XLRI initiatives have been quoted in the report. “XLRI's tagline, "for the greater good," elucidates the institute's mission to mold business leaders who think beyond the confines of corporations and organizations and to commit to what they feel is the school’s duty to serve the society at large and contribute to the extent possible to make the world a better place. XLRI has compulsory courses on sustainability and business ethics for all the students towards nurturing responsible business leaders…. Student organization Sigma-oikos of XLRI focuses on transformation and change in the social sector, works closely with various NGOs, and undertakes initiatives that contribute to the underserved sections of the society…” notes the report.

When asked the importance of social impact for B-school, Dr Perulekar said, “Today’s management students would be the future managers taking business decisions. They need to understand that businesses operate in the social context and thus, they must learn to see business as an instrument of social good, not as an instrument of maximizing shareholder value at the expense of society. Management institutions need to instil in them that the long-term success of business requires a healthy society and vice versa.We strongly believe institutions that create, deliver or distribute value in society have a seminal role to play in societal transformation.”

PIR 2021: All rated schools in Level 4 & 3 Schools in Alphabetic Order
47 schools from 21 countries participated in PIR rating 2021. However, majority of PIR participating B-schools come from Europe. Only two US B-schools have participated in the assessment. While 4 B-schools were rated in Level 5, others were rated in level 4 and 3.

Level 4 Transforming Schools

• Aalto University School of Business, Finland
• Antwerp Management School, Belgium
• Audencia Business School, France
• Carleton University Sprott Sch. of Business, Canada
• CENTRUM PUCP Business Sch., Peru
• EADA Business School, Spain
• Esade Business School, Spain
• Fordham University Gabelli School of Business, United States
• Grenoble Ecole de Management, France • HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Germany
• HKUST Business School, Hong Kong
• IESEG School of Management, France • INCAE Business School, Costa Rica
• Iscte Business School, Portugal
• Jyvaskyla University School of Business and Economics, Finland
• Kozminski University, Poland
• Luiss Business School, Italy
• Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, Netherlands
• St. Petersburg University Graduate School of Management, Russia
• Strathmore Business School, Kenya
• University of Applied Sciences Krems IMC, Austria
• University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, United States
• University of Victoria Gustayson School of Business, Canada
• UPF Barcelona School of Management, Spain

Source: PIR 2021 Report

Level 3 Progressing Schools

• Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences International Business School, Netherlands
• Concordia University John Molson School of Business, Canada
• EAE Business School, Spain
• EcoleHoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland
• EDHEC Business School, France
• ESCP Business School, Germany
• Hanken School of Economics, Finland
• HSE Graduate Sch. of Business, Russia • ICHEC Brussels Management School, Belgium
• Jonhoping International Business School, Sweden
• KEDGE Business School, France
• Rennes School of Business, France
• TUM School of Management, Germany
• University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, United States
• University of Gothenburg School of Business, Sweden
• University of St Gallen School of Management, Switzerland
• University of Strathclyde Business School, United Kingdom
• ZHAW School of Management and Law, Switzerland

Source: PIR 2021 Report

Explaining why PIR was created, report notes, “The PIR addresses the ongoing critique of existing rankings to support mainly economic and selfish goals of already privileged actors, without reflecting the schools' role as an important social actor. In times of pressing global challenges and increasing societal conflicts business schools must rethink and adapt their role and contribution to society. The two dominant global accreditation standards for business schools (EQUIS and AACSB) now demand a full integration of responsibility and sustainability into all core elements of their standards. To remain positive contributors, business schools need to adapt their offerings, but also their structures and cultures. Rankings and ratings are seen as a key lever for change in the business school landscape. The ambition of the PIR is to trigger positive change by providing insights for schools into what the next generation thinks and aspires to.”

For management education watchers, recognition of Indian B-schools amongst the best in the world for their community and social impactdoesn’t come as a surprise. Calling themselves as ‘management schools’ and not ‘business schools’, Indian institutions including IIMs have laid a strong emphasis on making social contributions. Many B-schools are also signatories of United Nations PRME Global Forum.

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