In recent discussions around research performance at AHIBS, one topic that consistently surfaces is citations . It is how often our work is referenced by others in the academic community. I recently shared that our school’s average citation count is 488.8, but 24 out of 33 academics are currently below this average. Some may respond with, “So what if my citation is low?” It’s a fair question. Let’s unpack it.
Why I Bring Up Citation Data
This isn’t about pointing fingers or making anyone feel small- that was never my intention. As the Deputy Dean of Research, I share this data because it matters, not just to our school’s accreditation and ranking aspirations, but also to our own sense of academic visibility and relevance. Here are some of my points:
1. AACSB Accreditation
As an AACSB-accredited business school, intellectual contributions (ICs) and their impact are critical. Citation metrics are a quantifiable indicator of how our work resonates beyond our institution. When reviewers examine our scholarship, they don’t just ask what we publish; they ask who is reading, citing, and building on it. I am responsible in writing Standard 8- which focuses on Intellectual Contributions and Scholarly Impact. That’s how I first encountered about the performance of each staff, particularly on their citations count.
2. Global Rankings and Reputation
In global university rankings, including QS, THE, and even subject-based rankings, citation data plays a major role. It signals research influence. Schools with strong citation performance are often perceived as thought leaders. When we collectively raise our citation impact, we enhance AHIBS’ academic standing globally. That, in turn, affects student recruitment, international partnerships, and grant opportunities.
I attended a seminar on QS ranking. The speaker mentioned how citations affect academic reputation. And QS only counts citations from SCOPUS indexed publication. So, like in many case in AHIBS, although some have many indexed publications, the number of citations are low. This is due to the indexed publication is not SCOPUS, but rather ERA-Indexed.
3. Self-Worth and Scholarly Purpose
On a personal level, citations are not the only measure of academic worth, but they are a meaningful reflection of whether your work is making a difference. We all know the time and energy it takes to publish. When your research is cited, it means someone found it useful. That’s academic impact in action. It’s validation that your voice matters in the scholarly conversation. Some may say this cliche- but i always think that someone has cited my paper- and it helps them with their publication- I have done something good there- regardless whether they know me or not.
So What If My Citation Is Low?
Let’s be honest, some of us have published good work, yet the numbers remain modest. That’s okay. Citations take time to build, especially in certain disciplines. But the key is to be intentional:
- Are you publishing in journals that people read and cite?
- Is your work visible through academic networks, conferences, or platforms like ResearchGate or Google Scholar?
- Are you collaborating across disciplines or borders?
If your answer is no, it might not be your work, it might be your visibility– platforms that you chose, your network etc.
Why AHIBS Encourages Scopus-Indexed Conferences
One strategic move we’ve made is to encourage and support our academics to present at Scopus-indexed conferences. Here’s why:
- Scopus-indexed proceedings are discoverable and citable.
- They count towards your citation profile. I have one conference paper that has 511 citation counts. This paper is a Scopus-indexed proceeding, published in one the IEEE conference.
- They expose your research to a wider academic audience.
- Academic visibility attracts academic conversation.
- Presenting your work increases the chance someone will reference it.
- The more visible your ideas are, the more likely they are to circulate.
- It strengthens our collective reputation.
- A school with academics who publish and present widely sends a strong message: we are active, engaged, and relevant.
- It fosters collaboration and invites citations.
- Conferences are a breeding ground for future collaborations, and co-authorships often lead to higher impact.
Moving Forward Together
We’re not chasing citations for vanity. We’re building a culture of impact. At AHIBS, we want to support you through publication workshops, writing retreats, and research mentoring. Our goal isn’t just to meet external KPIs, it’s to ensure that our ideas travel, inspire and create change.
So, the next time you says, “So what if my citation is low?”, let’s reframe it as:
“How can I help my research make the impact it was meant to make?”
Because your work does matter, and the world deserves to see it. And I would be very happy to see the positive changes.