Amfiteatru Economic, on the Market for Mainstream Scientific Journals
The global market of science publications undergoes continuous restructuring, an aspect that is increasingly manifest in economics and its subordinate econo-disciplines as well. This market is characterised by several specific trends with a long-term impact on all publications. First, the market of econo-sciences is marked by a spectacular and irreversible thematic diversification, the author being often replaced by a multidisciplinary team that contributes to the conception and writing of a scientific paper. The market of economic publications is restructured through the content standardization and online indexing of scientific papers in order to facilitate access to information stored in databases. The obsession with access to, and archiving in databases dominates standardization from keywords to thematic coding (a relevant example is the JEL codes) and citations. The market of great economic theories has almost disappeared, making room for a growing market of trans-, inter-, cross- and multidisciplinarity on a nascent mosaic of econo-disciplines. All of these aspects are characteristic of the publications known as “mainstream journals”.
These journals are indexed in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection, the most important bibliographic and bibliometric database. It is estimated that about 90% of ideas, concepts, discoveries, innovations and internationally valuable novelties, which directly influence the scientific and technological progress of the global society, are communicated through these journals. At present, over 12,000 journals from all fields of science, viewed as the most valuable, make up what is called mainstream journals and are indexed in this database. The economics journals indexed in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science, of which Amfiteatru Economic is a part, are grouped in the Social Science Citation Index in the following fields: Business (120), Business & Finance (94), Economics (345), Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism (44) and Management (192).
Amfiteatru Economic is a full open access journal with bilingual impact and visibility (Romanian and English) and does not charge any fees to authors or readers as the cost of publication is borne entirely by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
Following the modern expansion of the quantity of information across all sciences, including economics, this information has become less and less useful, with strong effects on the themes addressed in publications. In light of this aspect, Amfiteatru Economic distinguishes itself from other journals in that each issue addresses a particular topic which is announced on its website one year before publication. It is highly important to consistently follow this strategy in the current context of knowledge sharing, dominated by uncertainty and risk. Another aspect that makes the journal unique is the fact that, in addition to the thematic section where specific articles are published, the structure of the journal contains two additional sections, namely economic interferences which includes relevant materials/papers authored by prestigious domestic and foreign researchers and topical recommendations with regard to good practices (relating valuable experiences that stir up the readers’ interest), essays (containing theoretical and philosophical inter-, multi-, cross- and transdisciplinary economic papers), reviews (disseminates information about the new prestigious papers and publications in the field of economics) and Personalia (paying homage to personalities who made a major contribution to the advancement of economic sciences at national, regional and international level).
Amfiteatru Economic is especially notable for its high standards and discernment in selecting articles and papers for publication. Consequently, prior to the double-blind peer review process, the articles received are assessed in terms of eligibility, in compliance with five criteria: whether the article is on or off-topic, the degree of resemblance to other articles, as indicated by a special plagiarism detection software, the originality of research, the accuracy of translation into English, compliance with the requirements regarding the writing of references and article templates.
In its 18 years of existence, the journal has undergone major publication and content changes, but mostly qualitative changes so that, at present, it is in a leading position among the economic scientific journals in Romania and the surrounding area. The journal was indexed in the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database in 2008. Its purpose is to assist the academic community in the economic discipline by publishing the manuscripts of authors and researchers and increasing the international visibility and prestige of the institution with which it is affiliated – the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
The journal’s accession to Thomson Reuters Web of Science rankings in the field of economics and business administration, the need for prestige and respect, as well as the need for fulfilment through the dissemination of worthwhile scientific ideas through the avenue represented by Amfiteatru Economic motivates us to focus our thinking and energy on ensuring an active presence of this journal among the best ranked mainstream economics journals.
Amfiteatru Economic constantly supports high-quality scientific research which helps broaden the horizon of knowledge in the field of modern economics. The journal also aims to provide a prestigious forum for interdisciplinary, theoretical, empirical and practical debates, addressing research topics of national, regional and international import. Amfiteatru Economic is a team effort, with a modern structure based on a viable large-scale project, a fact that maximizes its chances of survival in an increasingly dynamic and competitive market for scientific publications.
