The Citation Field of Evolutionary Economics

TL;DR

This paper examines the interdisciplinary role of the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, analyzing citation patterns to understand its connections with various scientific fields and its focus on theoretical development.

Contribution

It provides a scientometric analysis of the journal's citation network, revealing its interdisciplinary position and focus areas within evolutionary economics.

Findings

JEE is central in technological and regional dynamics research.

It has limited links with natural sciences and management sciences.

The journal emphasizes developing theoretical insights.

Abstract

Evolutionary economics has developed into an academic field of its own, institutionalized around, amongst others, the Journal of Evolutionary Economics (JEE). This paper analyzes the way and extent to which evolutionary economics has become an interdisciplinary journal, as its aim was: a journal that is indispensable in the exchange of expert knowledge on topics and using approaches that relate naturally with it. Analyzing citation data for the relevant academic field for the Journal of Evolutionary Economics, we use insights from scientometrics and social network analysis to find that, indeed, the JEE is a central player in this interdisciplinary field aiming mostly at understanding technological and regional dynamics. It does not, however, link firmly with the natural sciences (including biology) nor to management sciences, entrepreneurship, and organization studies. Another journal that could be perceived to have evolutionary acumen, the Journal of Economic Issues, does relate to heterodox economics journals and is relatively more involved in discussing issues of firm and industry organization. The JEE seems most keen to develop theoretical insights.