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School of Business wins global award for research that drives social impact
31 Jul 2026
Responsible consumption, a key component in achieving sustainable development, has come increasingly under the spotlight in recent years. Shifting everyday habits, especially among teens, requires effective public programmes and better ways to evaluate their impacts.
To meet that need, researchers at the School of Business at HKBU have launched a prosocial and responsible consumption research project to help individuals and organisations to make informed choices that benefit society and the planet. The initiative recently earned the School a prestigious Global Impact Award from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Driving change towards a more responsible and prosocial society
Themed “Prosocial and Responsible Consumption”, the initiative is built on the idea that transformative change starts with knowledge but must be sustained by community-driven collaboration.
Recognising urgent global challenges, from unsustainable consumption and environmental instability to widening social gaps, the initiative created educational programmes, innovative measurement tools and collaborative campaigns for students, educators, social enterprises, and corporations, explains Professor Kimmy Chan Wa, Associate Dean (Research and Impact) of the School and Professor of the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems.
Grounded in both micro- and macro-level research, the initiative examined how specific environmental knowledge and “social reminiscence” can motivate people, especially the youth, to make prosocial choices. The research team at the School also developed robust frameworks for measuring social impact and introduced new tools to more than 90% of Hong Kong’s social enterprises to monitor their results. More than 67 schools involving thousands of students took part in the programmes under this initiative.
Through wide-reaching campaigns, including TV programmes, thematic contests and public engagement, participants reported a 30% reduction in non-essential consumption, with significant declines in plastic and paper bag use over three years. Social enterprises joining the programme also reported greater community impact and fundraising success, while several ventures scaled up their operations with the help of research-led strategies.
Recognition for translating research into societal benefits
In recognition of the initiative’s societal impact, the School has been honoured in the Research Impact category of AACSB’s inaugural Global Impact Awards. It is the first and only recipient of the Global Impact Award in Hong Kong.
AACSB is the global standard-setting body for business education. Its accreditation is recognised worldwide and represents more than 1,000 accredited schools. The Global Impact Awards celebrates the innovation, impact and dedication of business schools and their leaders. The Research Impact category award recognises research that creates real-world change through solving complex problems, informing policies, shaping industries and improving lives. It honours business schools’ efforts to bring academic insights into the world through non-traditional pathways.
Professor Zhang Han, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Business at HKBU, says: “This accolade underscores our commitment to advancing responsible and prosocial consumption. It is a testament to the collective effort of HKBU students, faculty, and partners to transform impactful research into concrete societal benefits. It also reflects the School’s ongoing efforts to extend its reach in research, create benefits for society and shape the future of business education.”