Bibliometric data used to calculate the citation-based metrics for this ranking were gathered on January 12, 2026, ensuring the inclusion of the latest available research output and impact indicators. A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined based on their Discipline H-index, also known as the D-index, which reflects publication and citation performance strictly within the examined field of Business and Management. This discipline-specific metric allows for a more precise and relevant assessment of a researcher’s influence in their area of expertise.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
The scope of the ranking encompasses 279,971 scientist profiles identified from an array of reputable bibliometric databases, covering all academic disciplines. Among these, 1,748 scientists were specifically analyzed for their contributions to the Business and Management discipline in Croatia.
To qualify for inclusion in the Business and Management ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, ensuring that only researchers with a substantial discipline-specific impact are considered. Moreover, the majority of an eligible scientist’s tier publications must be categorized within the Business and Management domain. Beyond bibliometric thresholds, awards and significant achievements in the field were also taken into account as part of a holistic evaluation.
The D-index threshold for consideration is systematically adjusted in increments of 10 relative to the estimated number of active scholars in each discipline, thereby guaranteeing that the top 1% of leading experts are represented. Additionally, to ensure a true reflection of discipline focus, a scientist’s overall H-index and their D-index must not differ by more than 30%, demonstrating alignment between their general and discipline-specific research contributions.
Verification and Validation Practices
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully capture the complexities of scholarly impact, the research team takes extensive steps to validate and verify scientist profiles. Every profile included in the ranking has undergone manual verification and cross-correlation against a diverse array of trustworthy sources and publication records.
While the number of papers published in high-impact journals and well-regarded conference proceedings does not directly affect ranking positions, it serves as an important secondary indicator of a researcher’s contributions and stature in the field. The primary basis for ranking remains the D-index values derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef, which are widely acknowledged as the most comprehensive and reliable bibliometric databases accessible to the research community.
For a full and transparent description of the methodology employed, interested readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision Behind the Ranking
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to monitor the trajectory of leading experts. By providing a reliable and carefully curated ranking of the foremost scientists, we facilitate greater visibility and recognition for outstanding contributions across diverse fields of study, countries, and institutions.
We believe that by illuminating who the leading experts are in specific areas such as Business and Management, we contribute to fostering collaboration, advancing innovation, and supporting informed decision-making across the global scientific ecosystem.
