Managing Knowledge For Social Impact: How Academic Research Advances Sustainable Business Practices

Abstract

This paper investigates how academic research contributes to the advancement of sustainable business practices through knowledge management, and especially knowledge valorisation processes. Focusing on the social impact generated by research institutions within the field of business studies, the paper examines how scientific knowledge is translated into practical solutions that support sustainability-oriented change in organisations. The empirical analysis is based on a qualitative content analysis of impact-related documentation reported by Polish research institutions for the purposes of national research evaluation covering the 2017-2021 and 2022-2025 assessment periods. These materials capture a wide range of impact activities demonstrating how research findings are mobilised beyond academia and embedded in practice. The results show that academic research supports sustainability-oriented transformation primarily through organisational implementation, capacity building, and the development of management tools and frameworks, with an increasing emphasis on governance- and policy-oriented solutions. Particular attention is given to activities addressing contemporary sustainability challenges, such as ESG reporting, sustainability performance measurement, and responsible governance practices. At the same time, sustainability-related impacts are increasingly embedded in multi-domain configurations, reflecting the interconnected nature of economic, environmental and public governance challenges. The findings highlight the critical role of universities as knowledge intermediaries that actively facilitate the flow, adaptation, and contextualisation of sustainability-related knowledge between academia and enterprises. Rather than acting solely as knowledge producers, research institutions emerge as coordinators of multi-actor knowledge ecosystems in which research-based insights are co-created, refined, and applied in real organisational contexts. At the same time, the analysis reveals persistent challenges related to demonstrating and assessing social impact, especially where outcomes are qualitative, long-term, and embedded in organisational learning processes. By conceptualising social impact as a knowledge management outcome, the paper contributes to ongoing debates on the societal role of academic research and offers insights into how universities can more effectively support sustainable business practices beyond traditional commercialisation models. By conceptualising societal impact as an outcome of knowledge management and knowledge valorisation processes, this paper provides a clearer understanding of how academic research contributes to sustainability-oriented transformation and ESG-related practices in organisations.