Business schools' strategies and practices of knowledge mobilisation : an analysis of the 'innovation' related impact cases produced for the UK's REF 2014

We explore the extent that knowledge mobilisation approaches adopted in Science and Technology Studies apply to business school research. An analysis of Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 impact cases in business and management studies related to innovation reveals intermediary types of impact in policy reports rather than direct public engagement. We argue that business school research impact strategies must stimulate more innovative, non-linear ‘push and pull’ knowledge interactions in the public domain for broader economic and societal value. This paper concludes with implications for business schools to co-create knowledge within dynamic, multidirectional and overlapping university ― industry ― government ― public interactions, going beyond a narrow focus on academic journal and policy publications for a more impactful quadruple helix model.