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Dynamics of Journal Impact Factors
Journal
Systems Research and Behavioral Science
ISSN
1092-7026
ISSN-Digital
1099-1743
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2012-11
Author(s)
Abstract
For a journal manager, boosting a journal's impact factor is an important objective. The impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal is cited in a given period of time. The dynamics of impact factors are caused by the interplay of several concepts, such as, seniority of authors and reviewers, journal policies, online availability of journals, and quality of contributions. This paper's objective is to discuss three strategies to sustainably improve both a journal's impact factor and its underlying resources. To this end, a journal's assets and resources are captured in a structural simulation model which is used for strategy experiments. The paper offers three insights: It provides a dynamic hypothesis about the causal structures underlying a journal impact factor; it highlights the fact that the levels and growth rates of the crucial resources, authors and reviewers, must be developed in dynamic correspondence. And finally, developing the stock of high-quality reviewers requires time and resources, but is more stable than the stock of authors and hence has a higher potential for guiding the journal into a regime of sustainable development. Limitations and future paths are discussed.
Language
English
Keywords
Journal impact factor
scientometrics
bibliometrics
citations
management
causal model
sustainable strategy
simulation
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SoM - Responsible Corporate Competitiveness (RoCC)
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Publisher place
Chichester UK
Volume
29
Number
6
Start page
624
End page
644
Pages
21
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
211639