VANCOUVER, October 22, 2001 -- Canadian universities rank among the top business schools worldwide for published research, according to a new research database.

Businessresearch.ca is an online database that allows users to view current rankings of Canadian, U.S. and international business schools based on the number of research articles published in more than 60 major academic journals from 1989 to articles publishes as recently as September 2001.

The site is a result of a partnership between UBC Commerce, University of Alberta School of Business and the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

According to the site, six Canadian business schools rank within the top 80 research producers worldwide over the past decade, in a category where the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School occupy the two top spots.

The global research performance of Canadian business schools, relative to business schools outside the U.S., is particularly impressive: four schools place in the top 10, including UBC Commerce (1st), Alberta (2nd), McGill (6th), and Rotman (7th). The top business schools outside North America for this comparison include the London Business School, INSEAD (France) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The site allows international and national comparisons of research and can be tailored to specific journals, fields, particular countries or regions and dates.

“Research is an important function of business schools,” says Jim Brander, Associate Dean, Faculty, at UBC Commerce. “Within Canada, we have some of the world's leading experts in business. The research they undertake not only enhances the quality of education we can provide, but contributes to a greater understanding of business and management practices.”

“The vibrant research environment at many Canadian business schools is crucial to their success on the world stage,” says Peter Pauly, Associate Dean, Research & Academic Resources, at the Rotman School. “More importantly, the innovative thinking that is derived from the research helps Canadian firms compete in the global economy.”

Businessresearch.ca follows in the tradition of business school rankings produced by publications like the Financial Times of London, Business Week, Canadian Business and The Wall Street Journal. The Web site is designed to offer a flexible tool for benchmarking Canadian business schools and business schools worldwide.

In addition, through the Businessresearch.ca site, users can access an on-line citation study, set up by the University of Alberta School of Business. The website (www.bus.ualberta.ca/citationstudy2) measures the intellectual impact of a business school’s research by measuring the number of citation to research published by that school’s faculty.

"The database is designed to allow observers to compare the work of one school to that of others,” says Royston Greenwood, Associate Dean (Research) of the University of Alberta School of Business. "It’s important to note that there are a variety of performance measurements available. The citation count is another. People can draw their own conclusions. Our purpose is to present them with the facts."

Businessresearch.ca is sponsored by TELUS. Internet users can access the Business Research portal through the TELUS Internet portals at www.myBC.com/learning, www.alberta.com and www.myTO.com, where they also have access to online university certificate programs, computer skills training and corporate and personal skills development.

For more information contact:

Lisa Miguez
Communications Coordinator
UBC Commerce
(604) 822-8345

Ken McGuffin
Media Relations Officer
Rotman School of Management
Voice: (416) 946-3818
E-mail: mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca

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