An institution’s position in the ranking is determined by the aggregate of D-indexes (Discipline H-index) accrued by affiliated scholars whose main publication area is Business and Management. The D-index exclusively considers publications and citations within the examined discipline, supporting a precise evaluation of impact and contribution specific to Business and Management research.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
To ensure comprehensive and representative coverage, the ranking examined a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a variety of bibliometric data sources. Specifically, 9,829 scientists specializing in Business and Management were analyzed. Eligibility required that each scientist possess a minimum D-index of 30, with the majority of their foremost publications situated in Business and Management. In addition to bibliometric indicators, a scientist’s awards and achievements in the discipline were also taken into consideration.
The D-index threshold for inclusion among top researchers is incrementally adjusted by 10 according to the overall size of the scholarly community within each discipline, with the principle of ensuring that the top 1% of leading scholars are consistently represented. Additionally, only those with a D-index-to-general H-index proximity not exceeding 30% were included to confirm that their research focus aligns closely with the evaluated discipline. Researcher awards and field-specific accomplishments provided further differentiation among top-tier scholars.
Additional Verification and Quality Assurance Practices
Recognizing that raw data, while invaluable, is never sufficient as an absolute measure of a scholar’s output, the researchers behind this ranking employed meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles. This process involved cross-referencing against an array of trustworthy academic sources to eliminate inaccuracies and ensure authenticity.
Although the number of papers published in preeminent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s ranking, it is acknowledged as a valuable supplementary indication of scientific contribution in a specific area. The ranking positions are established using individual H-indices as catalogued by OpenAlex and CrossRef, both internationally recognized and widely trusted bibliometric databases within the academic sphere.
Further details regarding the methodology and verification practices can be found on our methodology page.
Mission and Agenda
The underlying mission of Research.com in creating this ranking is to inspire scientists, business professionals, and policymakers worldwide to explore the directions charted by top experts. By providing a transparent and data-driven reference, we empower the entire research community to identify leading specialists in specific disciplines, across countries, and within academic institutions.
Key Results of the 4th Edition Ranking
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Top 3 Italian Institutions by Number of Leading Scientists:
- Polytechnic University of Milan: 13 scientists
- Bocconi University: 7 scientists
- University of Turin: 5 scientists
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Global Representation: The most prominent scholars in Business and Management are affiliated with Imperial College London, Indiana University, Texas A&M University, Penn State Harrisburg, University of Manchester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, University of Canterbury, Northwestern University, and Florida State University.
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World's Top Scientists – Business & Management:
- Professor Mike Wright (Imperial College London) – D-index: 155
- David B. Audretsch (Indiana University) – D-index: 150
- Michael A. Hitt (Texas A&M University) – D-index: 141
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Statistical Insights:
- Average total D-index for the top 5% universities: 726
- Average total D-index across all 680 included institutions: 153
- Average published articles in Business and Management by top 5% scholars: 2,307
- Average published articles across all institutions: 518
- Average citations for top 1% universities: 279,971
- Average citations across all 680 universities: 60,550
The aggregation of these efforts and data ensures that the ranking stands as a robust, reliable, and transparent resource for identifying outstanding institutions and scholars in Business and Management – both in Italy and globally. Researchers, institutional representatives, and policymakers are encouraged to explore the rankings and draw insights from the meticulous work underpinning their construction.
