Influences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the impact factor of a sample of environment/sustainability-related journals
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 17 August 2023
Issue publication date: 23 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in academic routines. These changes have also contributed to an increase in the number of papers submitted to journals, citations and, ultimately, to changes in metrics. This study aims to address a gap between theory and practice, analysing the changes in the impact factor (IF) of a sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used an expert-driven literature analysis and an assessment of a selected sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals’ increased trends.
Findings
The unprecedented trend observed when analysing the results obtained in the IF of environment/sustainability-related journals contribute to the body of knowledge on this topic, allowing us to understand how specifically the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced scientific publishing, despite the restrictions imposed by lockdowns and access to research knowledge and facilities.
Research limitations/implications
Based on a sample of 30 environment/sustainability-related journals, this study can highlight lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting specific measures which may be addressed to contribute to upkeep levels of publishing in the environment/sustainability field covered in this study.
Practical implications
This study will contribute to setting the stage for additional research on the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific publishing’s impact in environment/sustainability areas of knowledge. The implications of this research will allow us to set the basis for more extensive research in other areas of knowledge.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is unique, as it addresses the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in 30 considered exemplary environment/sustainability-related journals, the main research area of all the authors involved in this publication.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper has been funded by the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme and is part of the “100 papers to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals” initiative.
Since acceptance of this article, the following author has updated their affiliation: Maria Alzira Pimenta Dinis is at the Fernando Pessoa Research, Innovation and Development Institute (FP-I3ID), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto, Portugal.
Citation
Leal Filho, W., Dinis, M.A.P., Lange Salvia, A., Fritzen Gomes, B.M., Vasconcelos, C.R.P.d. and Albrecht, C.F. (2024), "Influences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the impact factor of a sample of environment/sustainability-related journals", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 306-318. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-08-2022-0283
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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