UPF-BSM, recognized as a “transforming school” in the Positive Impact Rating Edition 2021

UPF Barcelona School of Management (UPF-BSM) was recognized for its social impact and sustainability achievements when the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), international classification that evaluates the social impact of business schools from student valuation.

UPF-BSM participated for the first time in this edition and achieved directly a Level 4 of 5, making it a Transforming school and stands among the best business schools in the world like EADA or Esade in Spain, or Aalto University School of Business in an international level.

UPF-BSM Director General José M. Martínez-Sierra values the results very positively: "We are very pleased with the recognition of the PIR because this is a new step towards our goal of being a World Class School of Management that provides to our community and to our students the best tools to solve the problems of the society, in the public, private sector and in the third sector. The obtained results show that the UPF-BSM is part of the group of transformative management schools , with a clear vocation of generating positive impact, and with important results and progress in different dimensions of the impact ".

UPF-BSM was one of 47 business schools from 21 countries worldwide that took part in the rating this year. The results were launched at the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) World Forum.

About PIR 

The PIR is a rating conducted by students and for students. For the second time, students worldwide assessed their business schools on how they perceive their positive impact in the world. The positive impact of business schools goes beyond their contribution to business and the economy.

Students assessed how UPF-BSM addresses societal and sustainable challenges and prepares its students to be responsible business leaders. Participating in the PIR demonstrates the value UPF-BSM gives to student feedback and voice.

The rating survey asks students 20 questions in seven relevant impact dimensions that sit within three areas: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. The overall PIR score of the business school is used to position the schools across five levels. The different levels refer to the developmental stage of the business school, rating it by a certain level of achievement. Business schools are provided with a defined social impact and a tool that they can use for change. 

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”.
 
The PIR was created by concerned business school experts together with global NGOs - WWF, Oxfam, and UN Global Compact. International student associations oikos, AIESEC and Net Impact are also part of the PIR, which is supported by VIVA Idea and Fehr Advice.