Contemporary Economic Policy 2006–2007 Editor’s Report

Abstract

Volume 24 published quarterly in 2006 was comprised of 45 articles (654 pages) and 88 authors and co-authors from a variety of topic areas as defined by the Journal of Economic Literature classification system. Table 1 Provides a distribution of articles via Journal of Economic Literature topic area. JOURNAL STATISTICS Active participation in the annual conferences of the Western Economic Association International (WEAI) is encouraged by editors and members of the editorial board. Table 2 provides information on the number of sessions that were sponsored by Contemporary Economic Policy at the annual meeting in San Diego in 2006 and the Pacific Rim conference in Beijing in 2007. CEP sponsored 20 sessions in San Diego (9% of the total sessions) and 14 sessions in Beijing (26% of the sessions). The WEAI conferences provided approximately 31% of our total manuscript submissions for 2006-2007. During the 2006-2007 publishing cycle 182 manuscripts were submitted for review to CEP. There were 56 manuscripts submitted from the San Diego and Beijing conferences as well as 126 non-conference submissions. At this time, 9 manuscripts have been accepted for publication, 96 rejected with 77 decisions pending. These figures are consistent with the more recent acceptance rates ranging from 23% in 1999-2000 to approximately 29% in 2004-2005 (see Table 2). An important contribution to enhancing the quality of the journal is the refereeing process. CEP uses a double-blind process with the objective of obtaining 3 referee reports for each manuscript. As Table 2 demonstrates we are making a significant effort to contact referees and make sure that the editorial team has well grounded input in order to make informed decisions regarding the manuscripts. During 2006-2007 we received 260 referee reports that have helped to provide constructive input to improve accepted manuscripts as well as input for authors of rejected manuscripts. Individuals that have generously provided there contribution as referees for the journal are listed in Table 3. The time to decision for authors is a critical variable for most journals but is particularly important for CEP since the objective is to inform current policy debates. The editorial team is working hard to reduce the time to first decision so that important contributions to the policy debates are available as soon as possible. The most recent statistics indicate that a first decision is made in 25 weeks on average for 2005-2007, down from 34 weeks on average in 2003-2004. In order to continue to improve on this average we switched to an online submission process through Wiley-Blackwell (http:// mc.manuscriptcentral.com/coep). We have been using this system since we changed publishers from Oxford University Press to Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. This change allows authors and referees to track the progress of their contributions in a timely manner. BEST ARTICLE AND EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS As with every volume there are a number of articles deserving of special recognition. The editorial team wishes to recognize two articles of particular relevance to policy debates in two important areas, worker compensation among foreign-owned firms and national security and oil markets. CHANGES AT THE JOURNAL During the past year there have been several changes at the journal. First, Andrew Gill has resigned as a co-editor. Andy has served as co-editor since the fall of 1998. During this time he has made a significant contribution in managing manuscripts in the areas of health, sports and education. His contribution will be truly missed. Second, Kristen Monaco has also resigned this past year. Her contribution in the areas of labor, transportation and industrial organization will also be difficult to replace. Another change at the journal this year is the introduction of a book review section. Jack Hou has agreed to serve as book review editor for the journal. …