Journal Impact as a Diffusion Process: A Conceptualization and the Case of the Journal of Management Studies. (27th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simsek, Zeki; Heavey, Ciaran; Jansen, Justin J. P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of management studies. Volume 50:Number 8(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1374
• Page End: 1407
• Publication Date: 2013-02-27
• Subjects: citations -- diffusion -- journal impact -- multidimensional conceptualization; Industrial management -- Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1111/joms.12007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2380

Abstract

Abstract: While the question of what makes a journal impactful continues to draw scholarly attention and debate, the lack of conceptual foundation as to what journal impact represents, and how it manifests itself, has impeded efforts to establish a richer understanding. Drawing from the theory of innovation diffusion, we propose journal impact as a multidimensional concept manifested most prominently in the magnitude, prestige, breadth, dispersion, and duration dynamics of citations accruing to a journal. In doing so, we complement extant representations of journal impact as a unidimensional concept with insights into the pattern and profile of a journal impact across space and time. We illustrate the multidimensionality of journal impact as a diffusion process in a longitudinal analysis of citation patterns at the Journal of Management Studies over a 40‐year period.