Looking back and glimpsing forward: publication topics in Industrial–Organizational psychology and Organizational Behavior

Abstract

Industrial–Organizational (I-O) psychology and Organizational Behavior (OB) researchers have periodically reviewed the literature to identify interesting trends and address-specific research questions. We sought to build upon these previous reviews by conducting two studies—a content analysis of the topics and authors from I-O and OB articles published in 2012 (i.e., a look back) and a survey of editorial board members about potential developments in these two fields (i.e., a glimpse forward). Using these two perspectives, we identified some areas within I-O and OB research that remain popular (e.g., research methodology and psychometric issues, predictors of performance, and work motivation and attitudes), others that continue to emerge (e.g., leadership, diversity, work groups and teams), and some that may be increasingly relevant in the future (e.g., technology). We also noted a relatively small number of practitioners who authored peer-reviewed journal articles and a growing number of authors who are affiliated with non-U.S.-based institutions. These findings correspond with trends from previous reviews of the literature and may have implications for these fields.