Importance and similarity in the evolving citation network of the International Journal of Research in Marketing

Abstract

The citation network of the International Journal of Research in Marketing (IJRM) is examined from 1981 to 1995. A time-heterogenous log-multiplicative model is estimated to examine simultaneously the importance and similarity of journals in the network over time. Two distinct types of journal similarity, cohesion and structural equivalence, are considered and modeled in an integrative fashion. The findings show that the overall importance of IJRM in its network is growing rapidly albeit from a low base. The importance of psychology journals in the network appears to be decreasing. Clear cohesive and structurally equivalent groups of core marketing, methodology, managerial and psychology journals with distinct functions in the network are identified. Recommendations for future citation research are offered as well.