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.

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Students assess schools in

3 areas and 7 Dimensions

Energizing

DIMENSIONS

Governance (2 Qs)
Culture (4 Qs)

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Educating

DIMENSIONS

Programs (4 Qs)
Learning Methods (3 Qs)
Student Support (3 Qs)

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Engaging

DIMENSIONS

Institution as role model (2 Qs)
Public Engagement (2 Qs)

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.

Download the Model for Student Assessment

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

PIR values and principles

NORMATIVE STARTING BASE

The starting base of the rating is that management education can act as a custodian of society, based on the 50+20 vision.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT

PIR is a rating “by students and for students”. Bachelor and Master’s students assess their own schools in 3 areas and 7 dimensions.

RATING NOT RANKING

Business schools are not positioned by specific ranks, but they are rated to belong to a certain level of achievement, preventing the danger of misplaced concreteness. The rating is an effort in social transparency.

HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE

Rather than looking only at a specific program, the Positive Impact Rating looks at the whole school in all of its key areas and dimensions.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL USE

The rating can be used for internal purposes (school development) or it can be used for external benchmarking and communication.

FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS

The rating does not prescribe specific ways to live up to the mission, but it leaves room for the schools to define their own ways to fulfil it.

PERCEPTION BASED

The rating is based on subjective perceptions because perceptions define “reality” and hence influence action. This makes the rating different from existing rankings, that rely on “objective” data.

FULL ASSESSMENT

6 different stakeholder groups in 4 areas and 9 dimensions will be launched in an expanded 2nd phase, to obtain more comprehensive results.

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

FAQ