Influence of Publication Capacity on Journal Impact Factor for International Open Access Journals from China: Insights from Microeconomic Analysis

TL;DR

This paper models how publication capacity influences the impact factor of Chinese international open access journals, providing strategic insights for sustainable growth and policy decisions in the evolving OA landscape.

Contribution

It introduces an economic elasticity model linking publication capacity to impact factor, offering tailored recommendations for journal development in China and globally.

Findings

Elasticity categorizes OA journals and guides strategic decisions.

Balancing publication quantity and quality enhances journal impact.

Strategic management can improve China's OA journal competitiveness.

Abstract

The evolving landscape of open access (OA) journal publishing holds significant importance for policymakers and stakeholders who seek to make informed decisions and develop strategies that foster sustainable growth and advancements in open access initiatives within China. This study addressed the shortcomings of the current journal evaluation system and recognized the necessity of researching the elasticity of annual publication capacity (PUB) in relation to the Journal Impact Factor (JIF). By constructing an economic model of elasticity, a comparative analysis of the characteristics and dynamics of international OA journals from China and overseas was conducted. The analysis categorized OA journals based on their respective elasticity values and provided specific recommendations tailored to each category. These recommendations offer valuable insights into the development and growth potential of both OA journals from China and overseas. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of strategic decision-making to strike a balance between quantity and quality in OA journal management. By comprehending the dynamic nature of elasticity, China can enhance its OA journal landscape, effectively meet the academic demand from domestic researchers, minimize the outflow of OA publications to overseas markets, and fortify its position within the global scholarly community.