The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has climbed nine places to No. 41 worldwide in The Case Centre’s 2026 Impact Index, recognizing the global reach and influence of its faculty-developed teaching cases in business management education.
Now in its fourth year, the Impact Index ranks the top 50 business schools whose teaching cases educators worldwide use to engage students, strengthen decision-making skills, and bring real-world business challenges into the classroom.
Lerner’s rise from No. 50 to No. 41 reflects the growing international reach of its case-based scholarship and the College’s commitment to connecting academic research with practical business applications.
“Moving up nine places in this global ranking is a meaningful recognition of the work our faculty are doing to transform business education,” said Oliver Yao, dean of the Lerner College. “Through case-based teaching, our faculty are extending the impact of their scholarship beyond traditional academic publications and into classrooms around the world, preparing students to become thoughtful, innovative business leaders.”
Bringing real-world business challenges into the classroom
Teaching cases place students in the role of decision-makers, challenging them to analyze complex business situations, evaluate competing priorities and recommend solutions. The case method encourages critical thinking, collaboration and the application of classroom concepts to real-world challenges.
Lerner faculty have contributed 28 teaching cases to The Case Centre collection, many accompanied by instructor materials that help educators facilitate classroom discussion and experiential learning.
Among these contributions is the Women’s Leadership Initiative Case Series, led by Amanda Bullough, professor of management at Lerner College. Drawing on interviews and secondary research, the series explores the experiences of women business leaders and offers students opportunities to examine leadership, organizational challenges, and decision-making across contexts.
“Case studies bring leadership to life by putting students in situations where there isn’t always a clear or easy answer,” Bullough said. “Through the Women’s Leadership Initiative Case Series, we’re sharing authentic stories of women leaders that challenge students to think critically, consider different perspectives and develop the judgment needed to navigate complex organizational environments. Knowing these cases are reaching classrooms around the world makes this work especially meaningful.”
Advancing the global impact of Lerner scholarship
The 2026 Impact Index places Lerner among internationally recognized business schools contributing to case-based education. Harvard Business School retained the No. 1 position for the fourth consecutive year, followed by INSEAD and ICFAI Business School.
“The Impact Index provides a unique insight into the reach of cases across business schools worldwide. It is wonderful to see both established leaders and new names represented in this year’s top 50, reflecting the breadth and continuing importance of the case method in business management education,” said Vicky Lester, CEO of The Case Centre.
Lerner’s recognition aligns with Transformative Excellence, the College’s 2025-30 strategic plan, which emphasizes pioneering scholarship, inspirational education and meaningful contributions to business and society.
Through teaching cases addressing leadership, organizational innovation and complex business decisions, Lerner faculty are helping students develop the analytical and leadership skills needed to succeed in an evolving global business environment.