The Australian Business Deans Council Unveils Its Latest Journal Quality Assessment
The Australian Business Deans Council has released its updated Journal Quality List, marking a significant milestone for business and management scholarship in Australia and beyond. This comprehensive review, the first major one since 2019, evaluates thousands of journals across relevant fields of research and provides a trusted benchmark for academics, universities, and researchers navigating publication decisions.
Business school leaders, early-career researchers, and PhD candidates in Australia rely on this list to guide their publishing strategies, tenure applications, and institutional performance metrics. The update reflects evolving standards in research quality, interdisciplinary work, and the removal of lower-quality or predatory outlets.
Understanding the ABDC and Its Role in Australian Higher Education
The Australian Business Deans Council represents deans of business schools across Australian universities. It plays a central role in shaping standards for business education and research. The Journal Quality List serves as a key tool for assessing the standing of academic journals in business, economics, and related disciplines.
Australian universities use the list to inform hiring, promotion, and research evaluation processes. It aligns with Fields of Research codes used by the Australian Research Council and helps ensure that published work meets rigorous standards expected in the national higher-education landscape.
The 2025 Review Process: Rigour and Expertise
The latest update stems from an extensive review involving ten expert panels and 43 discipline specialists. These panels examined more than 2,600 journal titles using a combination of peer assessment and established international metrics.
Key objectives included revising rankings for existing journals, adding relevant new titles in business education and interdisciplinary areas, removing non-relevant or low-quality outlets, and updating classifications where appropriate. All journals on the list must demonstrate a substantive business element and align with relevant Australia and New Zealand Fields of Research codes.
Key Changes in the Updated List
The review produced measured but meaningful adjustments. One hundred twenty new titles were introduced, while 149 were removed. One hundred eleven journals received upgrades, twenty-seven were downgraded, and nineteen were reallocated to more appropriate Fields of Research codes.
The net effect maintains stability while sharpening focus on quality. The list continues to use the familiar A*, A, B, and C tiers, with A* reserved for journals of exceptional global impact.
Notable Upgrades and Their Significance
Several prominent journals saw their rankings rise. The Journal of Population Economics moved from A to A*, reflecting its growing international influence. The British Journal of Management and the International Journal of Management Reviews both advanced to A* in the general management category.
These changes highlight the list’s responsiveness to journals demonstrating strong theoretical contributions and broad relevance. Upgrades can enhance visibility for authors publishing in these outlets and influence how institutions value such work.
Implications for Academics and Research Strategy
For Australian academics, the updated list provides clearer guidance on where to target submissions. Researchers aiming for promotion or grant success often prioritise A* and A journals. The review’s emphasis on removing predatory titles helps protect the integrity of the research record.
Early-career researchers and PhD students benefit from understanding these benchmarks when building publication records. The list encourages strategic choices that balance impact, relevance, and career progression within the Australian higher-education system.
Impact on Universities and Institutional Metrics
Australian business schools use the list to benchmark research performance and demonstrate quality to stakeholders. Changes in journal rankings can affect internal evaluations, funding allocations, and international comparisons.
Universities with strong representation in upgraded journals may see advantages in national assessments and global rankings. The list also supports efforts to align research output with national priorities in business and management education.
Stakeholder Perspectives Across the Sector
Business deans have welcomed the review’s thoroughness and its balance between stability and improvement. Researchers appreciate the transparency of the process and the opportunity to see how journals evolve in standing.
Some observers note that the list continues to evolve in response to the growing importance of interdisciplinary and practitioner-oriented work, while maintaining high standards for theoretical rigour.
Accessing and Using the 2025 List
The full list and accompanying review report are available on the official Australian Business Deans Council website. The Excel file includes historical comparisons dating back to 2010, allowing users to track changes over time.
Institutions and individuals are encouraged to download the materials directly from the source to ensure accuracy and stay informed about any future updates or clarifications.
Future Outlook for Journal Quality Assessment
The 2025 review sets a precedent for periodic, evidence-based evaluations. As research practices continue to shift with open science, artificial intelligence tools, and changing publication models, future iterations of the list will likely adapt accordingly.
Australian business schools remain committed to maintaining a list that supports high-quality scholarship while remaining relevant to the needs of academics, students, and industry partners.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Practical Advice for Researchers and Job Seekers
Academics preparing publication plans should review the updated rankings alongside their target journals’ scope and audience. PhD candidates entering the job market can use the list to identify outlets that strengthen their profiles for Australian university positions.
Staying informed about the list helps researchers make confident decisions that support both immediate career goals and long-term contributions to their fields.