Data Sources and Ranking Metric
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Business and Management Scientists in United States Ranking is grounded on robust and comprehensive bibliometric data primarily sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reputable data providers. The bibliometric data utilized to devise the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected and finalized on January 12, 2026. Each scientist’s position is determined by their Discipline H-index, or D-index, which is a refined measure that exclusively considers papers and citation metrics pertinent to the specific discipline under evaluation — Business and Management in this context. This targeted approach ensures that the ranking accurately reflects expertise and impact within the examined domain.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The ranking process examined 279,971 scientist profiles aggregated from a multitude of bibliometric sources across all disciplines, with a focused analysis on 1,158 scientists specializing in Business and Management. To qualify for inclusion in the Business and Management ranking, candidates were required to have a minimum D-index of 30. Additionally, the majority of their tier publications had to be firmly rooted within Business and Management scholarship, ensuring domain relevance. Consideration was also given to scientists’ awards and achievements specifically recognized within the field.
The threshold for D-index consideration is calibrated in increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, a methodology designed to systematically incorporate the top 1% of leading experts into the ranking. Furthermore, to validate discipline alignment, a proximity threshold ensures that the difference between a scientist’s overall H-index and their D-index does not exceed 30%, maintaining consistency in measuring domain-specific impact.
Verification Practices
We recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output. Accordingly, each scientist profile included in the ranking underwent manual verification and was cross-referenced against publications in a broad spectrum of trusted sources. This rigorous verification process safeguards the accuracy and integrity of the data.
While the number of publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings was not directly factored into the placement of researchers within the ranking, it constitutes an important secondary indicator that reflects a scientist’s sustained contribution to research within their area of expertise.
The position of each researcher is ultimately established according to their D-index, as computed from data gathered from OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most authoritative and widely utilized bibliometric databases available to the global research community. For further details about the comprehensive methodology underpinning this ranking, please refer to our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to engage with and understand the trajectories of leading experts in their fields. We aim to provide the global scientific community with a reliable and transparent resource to identify top researchers in specific areas of study, across countries, and within individual research institutions. By fostering awareness and facilitating connections, we strive to promote excellence and collaboration that advance the frontiers of knowledge.
