Editorial for the last issue as editors for IJPPM

Citation

Shaw, N. and Huaccho Huatuco, L. (2024), "Editorial for the last issue as editors for IJPPM", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 73 No. 10, pp. 3085-3085. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2024-717

In 2017, we took over as Editors in Chief for IJPPM from Tom Burgess and the legendary John Heap (associated with IJPPM and its predecessor, Work Study, for over 30 years), both of whom are internationally renowned and respected scholars. We were excited about our new responsibilities but simultaneously anxious about how we might sustain and hopefully extend the Journal’s academic standing. Our first issue was Volume 67, Issue 1. It was a huge responsibility, and we had big shoes to fill!

So much has happened in the past seven years, and we are extremely proud of our “firsts,” most notably IJPPM’s Impact Factor. Currently, the 2023 impact factor is 5.9 and the 5-year impact factor is 8.2; our predecessors laid strong foundations for this, and no doubt our successors will continue to improve these scores, but it serves as explicit recognition of IJPPM’s relevance and currency. Another first was to establish eight Associate Editor roles to support screening submissions around specific areas of expertise. This was prompted by the substantial increase in submissions, which have nearly doubled since we began in October 2017. Thus, since March 2021, we have had the privilege of working with our wonderful Associate Editors who have supported the journal and its continued growth. We also extended the Editorial Advisory Board composition (currently at 33) by renewing and expanding it with experts across the “productivity” and “performance” management field.

Putting this in perspective, between 1st October 2017 and 1st October 2024 we have received 3,383 original submissions, which equates to over 40 papers per month. Submissions consist mainly of standard research papers (96%) with the rest comprising reflective practice, editorials and the occasional book review. Our acceptance rate is approximately 18%, normally after a major revision decision. Top submissions show that 20 countries account for 80% of the submissions, which are India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Brazil, UK, UAE, USA, Italy, Pakistan, Portugal, Ghana, Turkey, Australia, Jordan, China, South Africa, Greece, Nigeria and Vietnam. This reflects the truly global reach of IJPPM, of which we are very proud.

Over the last seven years, we have supported many special issues, each shedding light on the current hot topics in scholarship. For example, Vol. 68, issue 4 on “Proliferation and propagation of breakthrough performance management theories and praxes,” Vol. 69, issue 8 on “Environmentally Sustainable Organizations: Present Potential and Future Promise” and Vol. 71 issue 3 on “Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Performance Management in the era of Digitalization.” World events such as the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing climate change crisis continue to shape the relevance and contribution of our research; hence, we also revised the aim and scope of the journal to include topics of sustainability and resilience to direct efforts by the academic community in addressing these challenges. More special issues are already in the pipeline, and we know the new editors will continue supporting timely debates.

In this, our final editorial, we would like to extend a massive “Thank you” to all colleagues for their willingness to contribute to the success of IJPPM in their various roles, whether as Associate Editor, Guest Editor, reviewer, author, Editorial Assistant, Editorial Advisory Board member or the wider Emerald team, all of whom are valued parts of the IJPPM community.