A university’s position in this ranking is determined by aggregating the D-indexes (Discipline H-indexes) of all ranking scholars affiliated with the respective institution whose principal research output resides in Business and Management. The D-index includes exclusively publications and citation data pertinent to the discipline under examination, ensuring a focused and discipline-specific evaluation.
Scope of the Research and Scholar Selection Criteria
The evaluation process began with the analysis of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across various bibliometric platforms. Within this population, 9,829 scientists specializing in Business and Management were rigorously analyzed. To qualify for inclusion, each scientist was required to have a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their high-impact publications centered in the domain of Business and Management.
Additionally, professional achievements and awards in the field were carefully considered. The minimum D-index for consideration among top researchers increases in increments of 10, contingent on the total number of scholars within the discipline, to ensure that the top 1% of global experts are consistently incorporated into the list. Furthermore, a maximum proximity of 30% between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index was enforced, further enhancing the discipline-specific credibility of the ranking.
Researcher accolades and notable contributions to their area of study were also taken into account, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of our scholar selection process.
Verification and Data Validation Practices
We recognize that bibliometric data alone cannot and should not serve as the sole benchmark for scholarly achievement. As such, every scientist profile implicated in this ranking underwent thorough manual verification. Profiles were cross-correlated with publications from a wide spectrum of trustworthy sources to ensure maximum accuracy.
While sheer publication volume in major journals and conference proceedings is not a direct ranking factor, it remains a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s influence and sustained contribution to the field. University and researcher positions in the ranking were established using each researcher's H-index data gathered from OpenAlex and CrossRef, the most respected and widely-used bibliometric databases in scholarly evaluation.
We invite interested readers to delve further into the methodology and criteria underpinning this ranking by visiting our methodology page.
Research.com’s Driving Mission
Our fundamental aim at Research.com is to inspire scientists, business professionals, and policymakers worldwide to explore the frontiers of expert knowledge. By offering transparent and robust rankings, we seek to empower the global research community to identify leading academics, chart their influence, and foster connections among outstanding institutions and scientists in the realms of Business and Management and beyond.
Through these rankings and supporting resources, we endeavor to provide a credible reference point for recognizing leadership, excellence, and emerging trends with the aspiration of catalyzing future innovation and informed decision-making within the discipline.
Key Results of the 4th Edition Ranking
- Top 3 U.S. institutions with the highest number of leading scientists:
- University of Pennsylvania — 32 scientists
- Arizona State University — 25 scientists
- Pennsylvania State University — 19 scientists
- Most prominent scholars in Business and Management (worldwide):
- 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
- Florida State University
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Top 3 ranked individual scientists in the world:
- 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% of universities: 726 (vs. average of 153 across all 680 institutions evaluated)
- Average number of Business and Management articles published by the top 5% scholars: 2,307 (vs. average of 518 across all 680 universities)
- Average citations per researcher in the top 1% universities: 279,971 (vs. 60,550 across all 680 universities)
This rigorous analytical and verification process lends substantial credibility to the Research.com Business and Management Universities ranking, serving as an invaluable resource for the academic community and institutional leadership. For a deeper understanding of the ranking framework, please consult our methodology page.
