Sources of Data and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Business and Management Scientists in Italy Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data collected from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reputable data sources. These platforms are widely recognized within the research community for their extensive coverage of scholarly publications and citation data across various disciplines. The bibliometric data utilized to develop the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026. A scientist’s position within this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that reflects scholarly impact strictly within the examined discipline, accounting only for papers and citations related to Business and Management.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
For this edition, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles were identified and examined across all disciplines using a diverse range of bibliometric datasets. Within the specific field of Business and Management, 94 scientists were evaluated in detail. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a researcher’s D-index had to be at least 30, ensuring a focus on scholars with substantial academic influence in the discipline. Additionally, a majority of their tier publications needed to pertain directly to Business and Management. Beyond bibliometric performance, scientists’ awards and notable achievements within the field were also considered to further substantiate their impact.
The threshold D-index values are carefully calibrated as increments of 10, proportionate to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This method guarantees that the top 1% of leading scholars within Business and Management are incorporated in the ranking. Furthermore, to maintain consistency and precision in assessment, a proximity threshold of 30% or less is enforced between a scientist's general H-index and their D-index, ensuring that the discipline-specific impact closely aligns with overall scholarly influence.
Verification Practices and Methodological Transparency
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone can never fully capture the nuances of academic contribution, the Research.com team performs meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles. This process involves cross-correlating publication records against authoritative sources to validate the accuracy and relevance of each profile. While the number of publications in prominent journals and respected conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s ranking position, it is acknowledged as a significant secondary indicator of scholarly contribution in the Business and Management arena.
The final ranking positions are established strictly on the D-index calculated from authoritative bibliometric data sources, namely OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most prominent and trustworthy citation databases available to the global research community. For a detailed overview of the methodology and criteria employed in creating this ranking, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Agenda
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire and empower researchers, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to gain meaningful insight into where leading experts are focusing their efforts. By providing transparent, meticulously verified rankings, we aim to facilitate recognition and awareness of top-tier scientists within specific disciplines, geographic contexts, and institutional environments. This initiative supports informed decision-making and collaboration within the scientific community, thereby enhancing the global dialogue on research excellence and innovation.
