A European perspective on the internationalisation strategies and accreditation of Business Schools

Internationalisation is a key component of higher education institutions that nowadays is embedded in their teaching and research activities, as well as their strategies. In Europe, since the Bologna process in 1999, universities and governments have tried to align their policies, to make procedures more homogenous across the countries. However, for business schools undertaking an accreditation process, it can be challenging to fully comply with both the European and the national guidelines, and the requirements issued by the accreditation agency. This study aims to explore the internationalisation process of higher education institutions, with a focus on business schools’ accreditation process. Through document analysis, the comparison between the recommendations issued at the European and at the national levels, and the quality standards and criteria of the accreditation agencies is meant to understand which strategies should be promoted in the future internationalisation agenda of business schools.