Impact factors: Influencing careers, creativity and academic freedom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This discussion piece was prompted by arguments in the original submission, 'If you can keep your head: The unintended consequences of the impact factor'. This short essay stresses that many academic institutions around the world rely too much on impact factors (IFs) as a sole indicator of research quality and impact. It argues that other indicators of quality and influence should also be used to measure an individual's academic success. Three primary outcomes may occur when impact factors are used as sole gauges of academic quality: stifling early-career researchers, constraining academic freedom, and curbing creativity and innovation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)313-315
Number of pages3
JournalTourism Management
Volume51
DOIs
StatePublished - May 7 2015

Keywords

  • Academic freedom
  • Academic success
  • Creativity
  • Impact factors
  • Performance indicators
  • SSCI journals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Development
  • Transportation

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