Rankings - "Where were the requirements?"

Della Bradshaw, The Financial Times Business Education editor.

Again, I am really interested in what EFMD/Equis/Equal are doing in this area. In particular I am intrigued by Prof Iniguez's comment: "EQUAL, the think tank for EQUIS, published a document with the requirements that, according to the business education community, rankings should desirably meet".

How many newspapers did they circulate this document to? Was it sent to the Financial Times, the Economist or BusinessWeek? Did anyone from Equis/Equal/EFMD ever discuss this document over the phone or face-to-face with any journalist?

I can't help feeling, though, that business schools grouping together to decide a list of "requirements" is a bit like a bunch of journalists getting together to decide what makes a great newspaper.

As a newspaper we only survive if our readers and advertisers believe we are supplying them with the information and comment they need in the format they need it.

Is there a message here for business schools?