Journal list fetishism and the perversion of scholarship: reactivity and the ABS list

[Eugene Garfield]

Title: Journal list fetishism and the perversion of scholarship: reactivity and the 
ABS list

Author(s): Willmott, H (Willmott, Hugh)
Source: ORGANIZATION  Volume: 18  Issue: 4  Pages: 429-442  DOI: 
10.1177/1350508411403532  Published: JUL 2011  

Abstract: The case for using academic journals lists is critically scrutinised. An 
effect of their use, it argued, is to stifle diversity and constrict scholarly 
innovation. A monoculture is fostered in which a preoccupation with 
shoehorning research into a form prized by elite, US-oriented journals overrides 
a concern to maintain and enrich the diversity of topics, the range of methods 
and the plurality of perspectives engaged in business and management 
research. Use of a particular journal list, such as the one prepared by the 
Association of Business Schools (ABS), can come to dominate the scholarly 
terrain of a particular discipline with consequences that can be damaging to 
funding as well as to research culture.

Language: English
Document Type: Article
Author Keywords: ABS; business schools; innovation; journal lists; research 
assessment; research culture
KeyWords Plus: ACADEMIC RANKINGS; QUALITY; MANAGEMENT; BUSINESS; 
SCIENCE; SENSE

Addresses: Cardiff Univ, Cardiff Business Sch, Cardiff CF10 3EU, S Glam, Wales
Reprint Address: Willmott, H (reprint author), Cardiff Univ, Cardiff Business Sch, 
Colum Dr, Cardiff CF10 3EU, S Glam, Wales

E-mail Address: hr22 at dial.pipex.com
IDS Number: 786EI
ISSN: 1350-5084
URL: http://org.sagepub.com/content/18/4/429.abstract?rss=1