The Journal Attention Cycle
Indicators as Assets in the Chinese Scientific Publishing Economy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5338088 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jing Wang (0000-0002-7594-8539, Radboud University Nijmegen, corresponding author), Willem Halffman (0000-0002-1800-5884, Radboud University Nijmegen), Serge P J M Horbach (0000-0003-0406-6261, Radboud University Nijmegen) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 218-245 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-18 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Science Technology & Human Values (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0162-2439 • E-ISSN: 1552-8251 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/01622439251322530 |
| OpenAlex | W4408557563 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 31 |
This article analyzes how journal business models are built on variations of an attention cycle. In this cycle, measured attention in the form of bibliometric indicators becomes a key asset that can be converted into readership and submissions, which in turn may generate financial resources. Our article illustrates this in the context of the Chinese publication system, where varying attention cycles coexist. In the Chinese state-run system, measured attention can be converted into public support, as well as increased subscription and submission revenue. Opportunities to assetize and convert attention and financial resources differ radically between English-language journals operating under Chinese control, China-based journals operating with international publishers, or Chinese-language journals. Using data from qualitative interviews with Chinese editors and publishers, we demonstrate how this conceptualization helps reveal crucial differences between these journals as well as the specificity of the Chinese publishing system. In addition, we propose the attention cycle as an analytical tool to study publication systems in other contexts
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Rankings and Reactivity
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |