How the rating works
The PIR is based on an assessment done by students who evaluate their own school.
The collection of data is organized through student associations, who distribute a survey within their own school. They take responsibility for assessing the positive impact of their own schools and get access to the data collected through an online dashboard.
The overall PIR score of the business school is used to position the school on one of five levels. The characterizations of the different levels refer to the developmental stage of the business school.

Students assess schools in
3 areas and 7 Dimensions
The PIR assessment model includes three areas and seven dimensions. In each of the dimensions, there are questions that assess how students perceive their school’s current state to create a positive impact.
A further three open-ended questions ask students what their schools should start, stop, and continue doing in support of its commitment to providing management education that results in a positive impact for the world.
Positive Impact Rating Levels
Schools are rated according to five levels, with 5 being the top level and 1 the lowest.
1
Beginning
Schools that are either getting started or are considering to get started or have difficulties getting off the ground despite a stated commitment or vision
2
Emerging
Schools starting to translate a stated commitment to positive action in one or more domains
3
Progressing
Schools demonstrating evidence of results across some impact dimensions
4
Transforming
Schools with a positive impact culture, embedded in governance and systems, with visible results and progress in many impact dimensions
5
Pioneering
Schools with unique, sustaining global leadership progress in all impact dimensions
Students assess schools in
3 areas and 7 Dimensions
The PIR assessment model includes three areas and seven dimensions. In each of the dimensions, there are questions that assess how students perceive their school’s current state to create a positive impact.
A further three open-ended questions ask students what their schools should start, stop, and continue doing in support of its commitment to providing management education that results in a positive impact for the world.
Check out the article A Positive Impact Rating for Business Schools: Case Study and learn how this new “by students and for students” rating reaches out to students to assess their own business schools on how they perceive them in creating a positive impact on and for the world.
Thomas Dyllick & Katrin Muff: A Positive Impact Rating for Business Schools: Case Study, in: Sustainability, 2020, Vol. 12, Issue 22, 9551
PIR values and principles
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions!
Click the button below to contact us or look at the Frequently asked questions