Abstract
PurposeConsidering the centrality of the editor-in-chief in the scientific editorial process, this research aimed to investigate what are (if any) the gaps in the current competencies and the future competencies of this professional, according to the evolution of the journals business model.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research method was used, seeking a deeper understanding of the studied group and their professional skills in a practical way. The epistemological approach of pragmatism was adopted, and the semi-structured interview technique was used with a sample of 29 interviews.FindingsThe survey results revealed that the editor-in-chief learns his métier on a daily basis, on-the-job, as a result of a lack of prior preparation, due to the absence of structured training of these professionals. The study showed a change in the competencies of the editor-in-chief, but influenced beyond the scientific business model, involving a broader contemporary scenario of high complexity. Finally, it also contributes by highlighting important skills trends for the editor-in-chief.Practical implications It is expected that the results of this research will contribute to institutionalize training and skills development programs for the editor-in-chief and, consequently, for professionalization for the editor-in-chief.Originality/valueThis study deals, for the first time, specifically with the editor-in-chief's skills, where other studies focus on role, functions and responsibilities.
Highlights
Since the late 1990s, there has been a significant increase in the number of journals in the field of Administration, probably driven by the growth in the number of graduate programs and the pressure to publish research results
Considering that the editor-in-chief occupies a prominent role in the scientific editing process, the primary purpose of this research is to identify the gaps in the current and future skills this professional needs and examine the changes that scientific journals are undergoing in their business models
Since the editor-in-chief of a journal plays a central role in the scientific editing process, in the beginning, our study focused on identifying any possible gaps in current competences, and the future competences required of the professional in question, according to our understanding of the current and future business model of scientific journals (Fontes, 2021)
Summary
Since the late 1990s, there has been a significant increase in the number of journals in the field of Administration, probably driven by the growth in the number of graduate programs and the pressure to publish research results. Between 2000 and 2019, the number of business and management journals held on the Scopus database increased by 224% (from 654 to 1,463), while on the Web of Science database there were 332% more in the same period (from 114 to 378). It is clear, that the management of journals has not accompanied this growth in numbers. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode
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