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Not Just the Top Five Journals: A Recipe for European Economists

Author

Listed:
  • Henrekson, Magnus

    (Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN))

  • Jonung, Lars

    (Department of Economics, Lund University)

  • Lundahl, Mats

    (Development Economics, Stockholm School of Economics)

Abstract

We provide a critical analysis of the adoption of the US ‘top-five model’ by European economics academia. This model prioritizes publications in five elite journals, heavily influencing the career trajectories of doctoral students and researchers. It highlights the inefficiencies and social costs of this system, including the overemphasis on narrowly focused research topics and methodologies that align with US editorial preferences. This undermines innovation, interdisciplinary exploration, and economic research on issues of high social relevance in the home countries. The dominance of US institutions in setting these standards, disadvantages European scholars. We propose reforms for more diverse evaluation criteria that account for local relevance and broader scholarly contributions, suggesting that such changes would better align with European academic and societal needs. These adjustments aim to create a more balanced and impactful academic landscape while fostering a wider range of meaningful research outputs.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrekson, Magnus & Jonung, Lars & Lundahl, Mats, 2025. "Not Just the Top Five Journals: A Recipe for European Economists," Working Paper Series 1519, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1519
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James J. Heckman & Sidharth Moktan, 2020. "Publishing and promotion in economics - The tyranny of the Top Five," Vox eBook Chapters, in: Sebastian Galliani & Ugo Panizza (ed.), Publishing and Measuring Success in Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 1, pages 23-32, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Criteria for hiring and promotion; European economics; Pluralism; Research productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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