Table 1. Mapping AACSB research impact... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1.

Mapping AACSB research impact criteria to types of legitimacy

AACSB impactful research criterion	Pragmatic legitimacy	Moral legitimacy	Cognitive legitimacy
Cross-disciplinary research	Recognized as useful to stakeholders who need solutions that are informed by insights and expertise from multiple fields	Seen as an ethical response to complex problems that cannot be solved by one discipline alone	Viewed as normal and expected when embedded in the institution’s mission and structures
Academic–practice integration	Builds trust and support from local businesses, nonprofits and government through collaboration and research that responds to real-world needs	Perceived as responsible because it bridges the gap between theory and action in addressing community needs	Understood as a natural extension of the university’s mission when collaboration with practitioners is frequent and valued
Real-world change	Provides tangible benefits that stakeholders value, such as job creation or improved processes	Reflects a civic duty to serve society and improve communities	Becomes part of the university’s identity when real change is routinely expected and recognized

AACSB impactful research criterion	Pragmatic legitimacy	Moral legitimacy	Cognitive legitimacy
Cross-disciplinary research	Recognized as useful to stakeholders who need solutions that are informed by insights and expertise from multiple fields	Seen as an ethical response to complex problems that cannot be solved by one discipline alone	Viewed as normal and expected when embedded in the institution’s mission and structures
Academic–practice integration	Builds trust and support from local businesses, nonprofits and government through collaboration and research that responds to real-world needs	Perceived as responsible because it bridges the gap between theory and action in addressing community needs	Understood as a natural extension of the university’s mission when collaboration with practitioners is frequent and valued
Real-world change	Provides tangible benefits that stakeholders value, such as job creation or improved processes	Reflects a civic duty to serve society and improve communities	Becomes part of the university’s identity when real change is routinely expected and recognized