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How Important is Editorial Gatekeeping? Evidence from Top Biomedical Journals

By: Joshua L. Krieger, Kyle R. Myers and Ariel D. Stern
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:38
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Abstract

We examine editors' influence on the scientific content of academic journals by unpacking the role of three major forces: journals' missions, aggregate supply of and demand for specific topics, and scientific homophily via editorial gatekeeping. In a sample of top biomedical journals, we find that the first two forces explain the vast majority of variation in published content. The upper bound of the homophily effect is statistically significant but practically unimportant. Marginal editorial changes thus likely do not meaningfully impact journals' content in the short run. However, we do not rule out persistent or pervasive frictions in the publication process.

Keywords

Jobs and Positions; Operations; Information Publishing; Analysis

Citation

Krieger, Joshua L., Kyle R. Myers, and Ariel D. Stern. "How Important is Editorial Gatekeeping? Evidence from Top Biomedical Journals." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 22-011, September 2021.

About The Authors

Joshua Lev Krieger

Entrepreneurial Management
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Kyle R. Myers

Technology and Operations Management
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Ariel D. Stern

Technology and Operations Management
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