Societal impact evaluation of Brazilian postgraduate courses in Management: a new framework proposal.

• Grant number: 24/01491-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Administration of Specific Sectors
• Principal Investigator: Flavio Hourneaux Junior
• Grantee: Flavio Hourneaux Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Economia, Administração, Contabilidade e Atuária (FEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Aline Bento Ambrosio Avelar ; Daielly Melina Nassif Mantovani ; Guilherme Ary Plonski ; Luisa Veras de Sandes-Guimarães ; Renato Telles ; Stelvia Vigolvino Matos

Abstract

Studying the impact of research on society involves developing evaluation frameworks capable of identifying societal benefits from scientific research results, including those carried out in higher education institutions (HEIs). In the field of Management, this discussion reflects a debate about rigor versus relevance and involves discussions about responsible research, aiming to assess the relevance and social responsibility of research and how its results contribute to the solution of societal problems. The research impact on society is a criterion used in research evaluation systems such as the REF in the United Kingdom, the SEP in the Netherlands, and the evaluation of postgraduate programs (PPGs) by CAPES, which included this factor in the 2017-2020 evaluation cycle. This demonstrates the growing interest of scientific communities in improving their evaluation processes, with a focus on the impacts of research on the various spheres of society. However, there is still little clarity about the possible models for evaluating this type of impact. Most of the evaluation models are built based on the realities of the countries of the Global North and, although research aims at generalizing its results, contextual and cultural specificities are highly relevant. Hence, it's important that research evaluation models from these countries be adapted to countries in the Global South, such as Brazil. This project aims to propose a new model for evaluating the societal impact of research carried out in PPGs. The analysis will focus on the field of Public Administration, Business, Accounting and Tourism (CAPES area 27), but we intend to expand the framework to other areas. The methodological strategy will consist, in addition to the literature review, of a content analysis of 124 reports on the societal impact of area 27 PPGs, interviews with area 27 PPGs and CAPES coordinators, aiming to develop an initial model for assessing the impact of the research on society. Next, the Delphi technique will be used, involving academics and practitioners, to refine this model. In addition, this project will generate a product to extract and analyze postgraduate programs' impact reports. (AU)