An observation on publication habits based on the analysis of MS/OR journals

This note continues the discussion initiated by Doyle and Arthurs (Omega, 1995, 23, 257-270) on the publishing patterns of UK academics. It draws attention to a recent analysis of European MS/OR journals which gives some indication of the publication habits of authors from US institutions. On this evidence US authors account for a substantial proportion of articles in the leading European MS/OR journals. It is suggested that the explanations far the publication habits of academics need to go beyond those offered in Doyle and Arthurs and the subsequent correspondence (Omega, 1996, 24, 597-612). As measures of research quality, both citation analysis and peer reviews have their limitations. It is suggested that content analysis of journal articles may yield additional insight. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.