Journal of International Management: A 25-year review using bibliometric analysis

• Published in: Journal of international management Vol. 29; no. 1; p. 100988
• Main Authors: Kumar, Satish, Chavan, Meena, Pandey, Nitesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-02-2023
• Subjects: 25-year retrospective; Bibliometric methodology; Future research agenda; Journal of International Management; Theme — past, present and future; Journal of International Management; Theme — past, present and future; 25-year retrospective; Bibliometric methodology; Future research agenda
• ISSN: 1075-4253; 1873-0620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intman.2022.100988

The Journal of International Management (JIM) is a leading international academic journal in the field of international business. This study presents a retrospect of the publications in JIM for the last 25 years (as JIM was founded in 1995) through a bibliometric methodology using the Scopus database and Web of Science. The study graphically maps the bibliographic material using VOS viewer software and applies co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and co-occurrence of author keywords. We identify that the journal has expanded consistently and steadily in terms of both number of publications and citations. The collaboration network has expanded over the years, and the geographical focus is more global, encompassing Asia and Oceania. Bibliographic coupling of JIM publications reveals several distinct, major themes in the international management/business domain. Conventional international management themes that have emerged include market entry modes, globalization, international human resource management, cross-cultural management/leadership, and expatriate management. New emerging themes include emerging markets, global sourcing, innovation performance, digital firms, diversity of global teams, internationalization in uncertain environments, and virtual teams. A summary of the shifting research trends and themes in the discipline and their development is presented in this review, culminating in future directions for prospective publishers of JIM.
•A bibliometric review to identify publication and citation trends of the Journal of International Management.•The statistical analysis identifies persistent growth in both publications and citations.•The collaboration network has expanded globally, with the United States, Europe and Asia being prominent.•Bibliographic coupling reveals six major themes in the journal and delineates a research agenda.