B4SI_Iscte (Business for Societal Impact – Iscte) is a knowledge transfer centre within the Business Research Unit (BRU-Iscte) in collaboration with the Iscte Business School. It brings together teaching, applied research, and organisational collaboration to co-create solutions for a better society, bridging academia with public, private, and social sector organisations.

Mission

B4SI_Iscte’s mission is to develop training, applied research, knowledge transfer, and technical-scientific advisory activities, fostering the co-creation of societal impact across the Iscte Business School, BRU-Iscte, and their wider ecosystems.

Objectives

  • Support the strategic development of Iscte Business School and BRU-Iscte, strengthening ties with businesses, public entities, and the wider community

  • Contribute to Iscte’s mission in addressing societal challenges and promoting sustainable development

  • Design and deliver non-degree training in Management for societal impact

  • Promote capacity-building and development initiatives at local, regional, and global levels

  • Foster studies, innovations, colloquia, seminars, and other forms of collective academic work

  • Launch initiatives that integrate academia, industry, the public sector, and civil society

  • Create spaces for sharing technical and scientific knowledge with partner institutions

  • Support the dissemination and application of knowledge in Management for societal impact

  • Provide specialist technical-scientific advisory services, including studies, projects, and advanced training

  • Strengthen competitiveness to attract national and international funding

Areas

  • Management for societal impact

  • Applied research and knowledge transfer

  • Non-degree executive and professional training

  • Technical-scientific advisory and consultancy

  • Sustainable development and public policy support

  • Cross-sector partnerships (public, private, and social sectors)

Co-directors

Aristides Ferreira

Co-Director (BRU-Iscte)

Sandra Costa

Co-Director (Iscte Business School)

Projects and iniciatives

Study of Corporate Volunteering in Portugal [Estudo do Voluntariado Corporativo em Portugal], in collaboration with the association GRACE – Responsible Companies

Collaboration with the Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo [Local Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo] in a project to prevent presenteeism in the workplace

Iscte Business School