Business School Professors Contend With a Fraught Publishing Landscape

At first glance, the International Journal of Developing and Emerging Economies (IJDEE) looks like a reputable publication. With a prestigious address in central London, it boasts an editorial board of 13 professors and Ph.D.s from around the world. Its latest issue features papers with titles such as “The Impact of Manufacturing Output on Employment in Nigeria.” To ambitious business scholars trying to stand out in today’s fiercely competitive “publish or perish” environment, the submission cost of £160 ($200) may seem like a bargain.

But according to Cabells Scholarly Analytics of Beaumont, Texas, a vetting service for researchers, the IJDEE is among the thousands of journals that use “deceptive, fraudulent, and/or predatory practices,” landing it on the company’s list of “Predatory Reports.” To be included, publications might, for example, name editors who don’t exist, are dead or didn’t give permission to be named; fail to provide standard editorial services such as rigorous peer review; or include invalid International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN), which are used to identify journals and periodicals.