A university’s position in the ranking is determined by aggregating the D-indexes (Discipline H-indexes) of all listed scholars whose primary publication area is Business and Management and who are affiliated with that institution. The D-index is a metric that exclusively includes publications and citation data pertinent to the specified discipline under consideration, ensuring that each scholar's impact in Business and Management is accurately captured.
Scope of Research and Evaluation Criteria
The scope of this ranking is extensive, with 279,971 scientist profiles drawn from a comprehensive suite of bibliometric data sources. Within this broad dataset, 9,829 scientists specializing in Business and Management were specifically identified and analyzed.
To ensure the highest standards, only scholars with a minimum D-index threshold of 30—accompanied by a majority of their prominent publications in the field of Business and Management—were considered for the analysis. Additionally, the D-index threshold for inclusion as top researchers is adaptively incremented by 10 for each discipline, guaranteeing that the top 1% of leading scholars are incorporated while accounting for the total number of scholars in a given domain. To preserve discipline-specific quality, a proximity criteria of 30% or less between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index is maintained. Furthermore, the evaluation process also takes into account notable awards and achievements of scientists within Business and Management.
Verification and Data Validation Practices
Recognizing that quantitative bibliometric data is not, in isolation, an absolute measure of a scholar's output, the research team implemented stringent verification protocols. Each scientist profile considered in the ranking was manually verified and cross-referenced against a wide range of trustworthy sources.
While the number of papers published in leading journals and conference proceedings is not a direct factor in determining a scholar's position in the Research.com ranking, these outputs remain valuable secondary indicators of research activity and contribution.
The definitive ranking positions are ascertained using each researcher's H-index based on validated data from OpenAlex and CrossRef—currently among the most recognized and trusted bibliometric databases utilized by the research community globally.
For a comprehensive overview of all methodological steps and considerations, please refer to our methodology page.
Research.com Agenda and Motivation
Research.com's primary objective in creating these rankings is to inspire scientists, business leaders, and policymakers to explore the landscape of expertise within specific disciplines, regions, and institutions. Our mission is to deliver an authoritative resource that enables the global research community to identify where leading experts are situated and to spotlight the institutions that are home to the foremost minds in Business and Management.
Key Results of the 4th Edition Ranking
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Top Institution in Russian Federation:
- National Research University Higher School of Economics – 1 scientist included in the ranking.
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Global Representation:
The world's most distinguished scholars in Business and Management are affiliated with leading institutions such as 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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Top Scholars Globally:
- Professor Mike Wright — Imperial College London (D-index: 155)
- Professor David B. Audretsch — Indiana University (D-index: 150)
- Professor Michael A. Hitt — Texas A&M University (D-index: 141)
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Institutional Averages:
- The average total D-index for the top 5% universities: 726 (versus 153 for all 680 institutions in the ranking)
- Average number of published articles in Business and Management by scholars at top 5% universities: 2,307 (versus 518 for all 680 universities)
- Average number of citations for researchers at the top 1% of universities: 279,971 (versus 60,550 for all 680 universities)
This edition represents a comprehensive and accurate assessment of research excellence in Business and Management at both the institutional and individual levels, underpinned by meticulous data validation and transparent methodology. We invite all interested parties to explore the full details of the process and data sources on our methodology page.
