Academic entrepreneurship: A bibliometric engagement model

Stefan Gössling,Brent D Moyle,David Weaver

doi:10.1016/j.annals.2021.103270

Abstract

Academics are becoming accustomed to growing demands on ‘performance’ as universities place increasing emphasis on quantifiable research outputs. Despite the rapid ascendancy of bibliometrics, limited empirical research has considered the definitions of “research performance” employed by institutions, and subsequent academic responses. Drawing on exploratory data collected from 58 university-based colleagues in 23 countries, supplemented with the personal experiences of authors, this manuscript explores how institutions utilise bibliometrics, and how scholars adapt. Findings demonstrate a significant number of mechanisms utilised by institutions to assess research performance, postulating the emergence of forms of ‘academic entrepreneurship’, characterised by more and less ethical patterns of manipulation. A conceptual model of bibliometric engagement is presented, with implications for tourism and cognate disciplines.

Highlights

Facilitated by rising technical capabilities, quantitatively driven management mindsets, ambition in many universities to be leading research institutions, and the emergence of competitive academic cultures, bibliometrics are permeating the modern corporate university with mounting evidence of growing relevance to academic life (Martín-Martín, Orduna-Malea, & López-Cózar, 2018)
Very significant attention is paid to quantifiable performance, and strategic considerations to improve bibliometric scores were reported by most respondents
As a claim to international standing and reputation, institutions are increasingly drawing on bibliometric data to assess research performance

Summary

Introduction

Facilitated by rising technical capabilities, quantitatively driven management mindsets, ambition in many universities to be leading research institutions, and the emergence of competitive academic cultures, bibliometrics are permeating the modern corporate university with mounting evidence of growing relevance to academic life (Martín-Martín, Orduna-Malea, & López-Cózar, 2018). Institutions compile and feature bibliometric information to attract students or claim standing and reputation in research and scholarship across national and international rankings (Johnes, 2018). Academic journals highlight impact factors as indicators of scientific weight. Academics are continually rated and ranked on research achievements through bibliometric evaluation that may be voluntary or imposed (Ryan, 2020). Approaches to bibliometric assessment are evolving constantly and diversifying as universities increasingly emphasise quantifiable research outputs to build and sustain relevance

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion