Topic 8.2
Publication Landscape & Leading Journals
Map the scholarly ecosystem that defines the digital economy. This topic consolidates top journals, citation hotspots, and thematic clusters using collapsible dossiers, comparison matrices, and curated metrics. Use it as your publishing compass and literature review jumpstart.
⏱️Approx. 25 min
📰Journals · Bibliometrics
🧭Stage 2 · Publications
Why the Publication Landscape Matters
Digital economy research spans information systems, technology management, sustainability science, development economics, and policy journals. Understanding outlet scope, review cadence, and methodological expectations increases the odds of landing work in the right venue and spotting underexplored niches.
Citation dynamics
Top five journals capture ≈42% of cross-field citations between 2018–2024 (Scopus). Sustainability outlets contribute +18pp citation growth after 2020.
Thematic clusters
Bibliometric clustering reveals four mega-themes: platform governance, AI & compute economics, sustainability integration, and inclusive digital transformation.
Journal Dossiers
Expand each dossier for positioning, impact metrics, and editorial notes. Impact factors (IF) correspond to the 2023 Journal Citation Reports; CiteScore values use Scopus 2022 metrics.
Technological Forecasting & Social Change (TFSC)
IF 12.0 · CiteScore 15.1 · Elsevier · Monthly
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Influential foresight and innovation journal bridging technology management, socio-economic forecasting, and policy. A primary outlet for digital economy conceptual frameworks (IBCDE, DBE) and scenario analysis (platform futures, AI labour impacts).
- Sweet spot: Systems thinking papers that integrate infrastructure, talent, and policy levers.
- Methodologies: Delphi foresight, scenario planning, composite indices, system dynamics.
- Editorial note: Prefers cross-national comparisons with actionable policy implications.
International Journal of Information Management (IJIM)
IF 18.3 · CiteScore 22.6 · Elsevier · 10 issues/yr
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Anchors the information systems perspective on data governance, digital platforms, and business value. Hosts empirical studies on data-driven decision-making, platform ecosystems, and digital inclusion.
- Sweet spot: Quantitative or mixed-method studies linking data capabilities to organisational outcomes.
- Methodologies: Structural equation modelling, panel regressions, case study triangulation.
- Editorial note: Emphasises managerial implications and knowledge contribution clarity.
Sustainability / Journal of Cleaner Production
IF 3.9 / 11.1 · Open access/Hybrid · Sustainability science
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Go-to venues for ESG and circularity dimensions of digitalisation. Publish life-cycle assessment of data centres, CADiS metrics, rebound effect quantification, and policy evaluation around right-to-repair.
- Sweet spot: Interdisciplinary sustainability analyses linking digital innovation with planetary boundaries.
- Methodologies: LCA, input–output modelling, scenario analysis, policy evaluation.
- Editorial note: Encourage explicit discussion of trade-offs and actionable mitigation levers.
MIS Quarterly / Information Systems Research
IF 7.0 / 5.3 · Association for Information Systems
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Flagship information systems outlets focusing on socio-technical theory, causality, and digital platform mechanisms. Key home for studies on platform governance, algorithmic control, and data ethics.
- Sweet spot: Theory-building work or identification strategies with robust causal inference.
- Methodologies: Natural experiments, econometrics, design science, qualitative theory building.
- Editorial note: Expect extended review cycles; emphasise theoretical advancement over descriptive insight.
Comparison Matrix
Journal
Core Focus
Methodological Bias
Review Cadence
Submission Tips
TFSC
Technology foresight, socio-economic futures, policy scenarios
Scenario planning, composite indices, qualitative foresight
4–6 months per round
Anchor contributions to foresight/policy communities; include robustness checks
IJIM
Information management, platforms, organisational transformation
Quantitative (SEM, panel) + mixed-method case work
3–4 months per round
Highlight managerial impact; align with special issues on AI/data
Sustainability / JCP
Green digital transformation, circular economy, ESG metrics
LCA, system modelling, policy analysis
2–3 months (Sustainability) / 4–5 (JCP)
Clarify novelty beyond case description, emphasise policy levers
MISQ / ISR
Socio-technical theory, digital platforms, algorithmic governance
Theory building, econometrics, design science
6–9 months per round
Demonstrate theoretical gap, use rigorous identification or theory building
Citation Hotspots & Emerging Themes
Hotspot 1 · AI Compute & Economics
Papers quantifying compute concentration, hardware geopolitics, and productivity contributions (e.g., Nature Communications, AI Magazine) rose 230% since 2020.
Common methods: input–output analysis, cost modelling, productivity accounting.
Hotspot 2 · ESG & Circularity
Life-cycle studies of cloud and AI systems doubled citations between 2021–2024. Sustainability and JCP lead with CADiS-aligned metrics and rebound analysis.
Common methods: hybrid LCA, scenario analysis, policy simulation.
Hotspot 3 · Platform Governance
MISQ and ISR focus on algorithmic control, data rights, and competition policy. Citation half-life indicates durable theoretical contribution (5.8 years).
Common methods: natural experiments, qualitative governance analysis.
Hotspot 4 · Inclusive Digital Transformation
Development journals (World Development, Information Technology for Development) document digital public infrastructure, inclusion, and skills gaps— representing under-served but fast-growing citation clusters.
Common methods: panel econometrics, mixed-method fieldwork.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- The digital economy knowledge base is anchored by four journal clusters: foresight/innovation (TFSC), information systems (IJIM, MISQ, ISR), sustainability (Sustainability, JCP), and inclusive development.
- Post-2020 citation growth is strongest in AI compute economics and sustainability metrics, reflecting policy and industry priorities.
- Open-access sustainability outlets accelerate diffusion but require rigorous methodological justification and policy relevance.
- Burgeoning topics— compute equity, data valuation, digital rights— are under-supplied relative to policy demand, signalling research opportunity.
- Successful submissions articulate cross-disciplinary relevance, combine robust methods, and position findings within global measurement gaps.
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