A scientist’s position in this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that evaluates productivity and citation impact within a specific discipline. The D-index exclusively incorporates papers and citations relevant to the examined discipline, providing a precise measure of scholarly contributions in Business and Management.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
In the construction of this ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across diverse bibliometric databases were assessed spanning all disciplines. Within the domain of Business and Management specifically, 4,000 scientists were examined to ensure a focused and accurate representation of this field.
To qualify for inclusion in the Business and Management ranking, researchers were required to have a D-index of at least 30, and a majority of their tier publications needed to belong explicitly to Business and Management. In addition to bibliometric measures, scientists’ awards and achievements in the field were also factored into the evaluation. The threshold for the D-index used to consider top researchers is established in increments of 10, adjusted based on the estimated number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures that the ranking consistently incorporates the top 1% of leading scholars within the field.
Moreover, to maintain consistency and relevance, candidates were required to demonstrate a proximity of 30% or less between their general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, reinforcing the significant focus of their contributions within Business and Management.
Verification Practices and Methodological Rigor
The Research.com team understands that raw bibliometric data should not serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output. Therefore, every scientist profile included in this ranking was manually verified and cross-correlated against publications from a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources. This rigorous verification process ensures that the ranking reflects an accurate and trustworthy representation of research excellence.
Although not a direct component of position determination, the number of papers published in prominent journals and recognized conference proceedings was considered as a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s impact in Business and Management. Positions in the ranking were ultimately established based on each scientist’s D-index, calculated using data specifically from OpenAlex and CrossRef. These databases are among the most prominent and reliable bibliometric resources available to the global research community.
For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology and criteria employed, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Purpose Behind the Ranking
The primary mission of Research.com in publishing this ranking is to motivate researchers, institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to closely examine the trajectories of leading experts in scientific fields. By providing a transparent and rigorously compiled overview of top scientists in South Africa’s Business and Management research community, we aim to foster informed collaborations, inspire emerging scholars, and enable strategic decisions based on clear insights into expertise.
Our goal is to serve as a reliable source for the entire scientific ecosystem to identify, recognize, and engage with leading experts across disciplines, countries, and institutions. This ranking reflects the careful, meticulous work invested in mapping scholarly excellence and delivering credible, actionable information to advance research and innovation.
