Through its activities, the university school of management plays an active role in driving change across the region.

By developing talent, generating knowledge that informs action, and supporting the transformation of businesses and society, iaelyon reaffirms its role as a long-term partner in regional development, in line with its 2024–2028 strategic plan: taking on today's challenges to help shape a better world for tomorrow."

Marie-Christine Chalus
Dean, iaelyon 

Measuring iaelyon's Impact on Its Region

Developed by FNEGE and EFMD, the Business School Impact System (BSIS) assesses the contribution of business schools to their economic, social, and intellectual environment through more than 130 indicators across seven dimensions: economic, educational, intellectual, societal, business development, regional ecosystem, and regional reach.

Having participated in the pilot phase in 2012 and renewed the assessment in 2017, iaelyon undertook a new BSIS assessment in 2026, in line with the fourth pillar of its 2024–2028 strategic plan: commit to challenges that transform the world.

The results confirm the school's contribution well beyond its core educational mission: developing talent, supporting organizations, and enhancing the region's attractiveness.
 

A €430 Million Economic Impact

With an estimated overall economic impact of €430 million, iaelyon is a significant contributor to the regional economy. Its activities engage a broad ecosystem of staff, faculty and industry professionals, corporate partners, and service providers.

The direct and indirect spending generated by the school, together with visits from French and international guests attending academic and professional events, also contributes to regional economic activity and visibility.
 

Developing Talent and Supporting Businesses

Each year, iaelyon educates 5,500 students across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, offering career-oriented programs tailored to the needs of organizations. This strong regional connection is also reflected in graduate employment outcomes: 75% of employed graduates from the Class of 2025 work in the region.

Cooperative programs and internships are essential drivers of these close ties with businesses. Each year, the school supports approximately 1,200 work-study contracts, 90% of which are based in the region, as well as 2,000 internships.

Beyond their education, students make a direct contribution to organizational activities through internships, work-study placements, and CIFRE doctoral contracts. Together, these represent the equivalent of 852 full-time equivalent jobs (FTEs) each year.

With 2,000 corporate partners, iaelyon also develops practical collaborations through applied projects, case studies, the Management Clinic, and iaelyon Junior Conseil, ranked among the Top 30 student-run consulting organizations in France.
 

Research Driving Transformation

iaelyon's faculty generate knowledge in management, addressing major contemporary challenges such as the ecological and economic transitions, entrepreneurship, organizational change, and artificial intelligence.
Their research fosters dialogue between academia and the business and wider socio-economic community, helping businesses and public institutions evolve their practices.
Launched in 2026, the Thinklarge@iaelyon book series showcases this expertise through analyses that help readers better understand organizational change and make informed strategic decisions.

A School at the Heart of Regional Networks
iaelyon's strong regional roots are built on close partnerships with businesses, public institutions, and professional networks. Each year, 1,000 industry professionals contribute to the school's activities, including 800 from the region, sharing their expertise through programs, conferences, and events.

iaelyon also takes part in major initiatives supporting the regional ecosystem, including the Méta.Morph.Ose program, delivered for the benefit of the 3,500 members of Les Entrepreneurs (formerly CPME), and the EXPL'AURA Think Tank, in partnership with the French Foreign Trade Advisors (Conseillers du Commerce extérieur) and the Faculty of Law at Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University.

Its collaborations with the SEPL think tank (Society for Political Economy and Social Economics), Medef Lyon Rhône, and other networks also lead to events and publications addressing major economic and management challenges.
 

A Meaningful Commitment to Society

iaelyon's impact is also reflected in its commitment to social inclusion and the public interest. At the undergraduate level, 25% of students receive need-based financial aid. The school also offers six degree programs dedicated to addressing societal challenges.

Through its Volunteering and Management in Associations (Bénévolat et Management en Association – BMA) program, students contribute 26,000 hours of volunteer work each year to non-profit organizations and other local community groups.

The Graduate+ IEIS (International Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Society) program further advances this ambition by attracting and supporting international talent committed to driving positive social change.
 

Strengthening the Region's International Reach

Through its academic positioning, partnerships, and international outlook, iaelyon contributes to the attractiveness of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Its internationalization strategy is built around student and faculty mobility, double-degree programs, programs delivered abroad, and academic partnerships across 50 countries.

By connecting the region to international academic and business networks, the school helps raise its profile globally and foster greater international engagement among regional organizations.
 

A Collective Impact for Regional Development

The 2026 BSIS results highlight the wide-ranging contributions iaelyon makes to the development of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. They demonstrate the role of a public university school of management that brings together academic excellence, close engagement with organizations, and social responsibility.