Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Business and Management Scientists in China Ranking is principally founded on bibliometric data aggregated from prominent databases such as OpenAlex and CrossRef, complemented by multiple other reputable sources. The citation data used to calculate the ranking metrics were collected on January 12, 2026. Each scientist's ranking position is determined based on their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined variant of the traditional H-index that accounts exclusively for papers and citation metrics within the specified discipline of Business and Management. This discipline-focused metric ensures that the ranking reflects a researcher’s impact specifically in the field under consideration.
Scope of Research and Selection Criteria
Our assessment involved a thorough examination of 279,971 scientist profiles spanning all disciplines drawn from a variety of bibliometric data sources. Within the Business and Management field specifically, 114 scientists were evaluated. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist needed to have a D-index of at least 30, with a majority of their tier-ranked publications concentrated in Business and Management. Additionally, recognition of significant awards and professional achievements within the field was factored into the evaluation process.
The threshold D-index for considering top researchers is adjusted in increments of 10 depending on the estimated size of the scholarly community within each discipline, ensuring that the top 1% of leading scholars are consistently captured. Furthermore, we require a proximity of 30% or less between a scientist’s overall general H-index and their D-index, maintaining coherence between general and discipline-specific research impact.
Verification Practices and Methodological Rigor
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data are not definitive measures for evaluating scholarly contributions. Accordingly, all scientist profiles included in the ranking underwent meticulous manual verification. We cross-correlated information across a broad spectrum of trusted publication sources to confirm accuracy and authenticity.
While the number of publications in prestigious journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher's rank position, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of their contributions to the specific scientific area. The ranking position itself, however, is exclusively established based on each researcher’s D-index derived from comprehensive data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most widely acknowledged and respected bibliometric databases accessible to the research community.
For a detailed explanation of our methodology and data sources, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Agenda
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide to engage deeply with the trajectories of leading experts. By systematically identifying and highlighting the foremost scientists in specific disciplines, countries, and institutions, we aim to foster greater awareness and facilitate informed decision-making throughout the global scientific community.
This ranking represents the culmination of careful, rigorous, and transparent work designed to provide a credible and insightful tool for recognizing excellence and advancing scholarship in Business and Management science in China and beyond.
