Academic Journal in Today's Russia: Alternatives of Development Strategies

Abstract

The article presents problems associated with academic journal publication in Russia. Priority motivations for the creation of academic journals are described; they include, among others, the intent of Russian research centers and universities to present their scientific results wider and faster, to increase their prestige in the scientific community, to enhance formal performance indicators, and to raise additional revenues through publishing activities. The article analyzes behavior patterns of academic journals in the market as well as their development strategies. The following main basic behavior patterns are examined: the quality academic journal model (preference given to article quality), the top-rated academic journal model (preference given to maximization of formal performance indicators, such as the citation index, the impact factor, and ratings), and the economically efficient academic journal model (the main priority given to cost-effectiveness of publication activities). Merits and demerits of these models are described. Cases involving increased risk of scientific misconduct in the process of article publication are reviewed. Methods used by Russian academic journals for making money are examined. The article concludes that it is extremely difficult to create an economically efficient academic journal in today's Russia, particularly in the field of social sciences. In this regard, ways to cover losses that may occur in the process of publishing are addressed. Real-life experience of Studies on Russian Economic Development academic journal, including its main problems and solutions, is briefly presented