The significance of impact in real estate research publications
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPIF-04-2020-0034 |
| Published date | 30 March 2021 |
| Date | 30 March 2021 |
| Pages | 49-67 |
| Subject Matter | Property management & built environment,Real estate & property,Property valuation & finance |
| Author | Graeme Newell,Muhammad Jufri Marzuki,Elaine Worzala,Alastair Adair,Martin Hoesli,Mauricio Rodriguez |
The significance of impact in real
estate research publications
Graeme Newell
Economic, Finance and Property, School of Business,
Western Sydney University,
Parramatta, Australia
Muhammad Jufri Marzuki
School of Business, University of Western Sydney,
Penrith, Australia
Elaine Worzala
George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Alastair Adair
Ulster University, Coleraine, UK
Martin Hoesli
GSEM, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland and
University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK, and
Mauricio Rodriguez
Department of Finance Fort Worth,
Texas Christian University,
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Abstract
Purpose –Research impact has taken on increased importance at both a micro- and macro-level and is a key
factor today in shaping the careers of real estate researchers. This has seen a range of research impact metrics
become global benchmarks when assessing research impact at the individual academic level and journal level.
Whilst recognising the limitations of research impact metrics, this paper uses these research impact metrics to
identify the leading research impact researchers in real estate, as well as the leading real estate journals in the
real estate impact space. The nexus between research quality and research impact is also articulated. As well as
focusing on research quality, strategies are identified for the effective incorporation of research impact into a
real estate researcher’s agenda to assist their research careers; particularly for Early Career Researchers in real
estate.
Design/methodology/approach–The research impact profile of over 150 real estate researchers and 22 real
estate journals was assessed using Google Scholar and Publish or Perish. Using the research impact metrics of
the h-index, totalcitations and i10, the leading high impact real estate researchers as well as the high impact real
estate journals are identified.
Findings –Based in these research impact metrics, the leading real estate researchers in impactful real
estate research are identified. Whilst being US focused, there is clear evidenceo fincreasing roles by ERES,
AsRES and PRRES players. The leading real estate journals in the impact space are identified,including
both real estate-specific journals and the broader planning/urban policy journals, as well as being beyond
just the standard US real estate journals. Researcher career strategies are also identified to see both
research quality and research impact included as balanced elements in a real estate researcher’s career
strategy.
Practical implications –With research impact playing an increased role in all real estate researchers’
careers, the insights from this paper provide strong empirical evidence for effective strategies to expand the
focus on the impact of their real estate research agendas. This sees a balanced strategy around both research
quality and research impact as the most effective strategy for real estate researchers to achieve their research
career goals.
Originality/value –Research impact has taken on increased importance globally and is an important factor
in shaping real estate researchers’careers. Using research impact metrics, this is the first paper to rigorously
Impact in real
estate research
publications
49
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/1463-578X.htm
Received 7 April 2020
Revised 5 February 2021
Accepted 9 March 2021
Journal of Property Investment &
Finance
Vol. 40 No. 1, 2022
pp. 49-67
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1463-578X
DOI 10.1108/JPIF-04-2020-0034
and empirically identify the leading research impact players and journals in real estate, as well as identifying
strategies for the more effective inclusion of impact in real estate researchers’agendas.
Keywords Research impact, Real estate journals, h-index, Total citations, i10, Leading real estate research
impact players
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The role of real estate research sees researchers focused on a desire to research interesting
topics, with results that transform lives by having a real impact on industry, processes,
places and policies, leading to the solution of difficult and important problems. This results
in macro-outputs for various audiences including industry, government and community, as
well as micro-outputs for academic peers in expanding the body of knowledge. This
includes industry reports, policy papers, books, guidance notes and academic papers. Both
these macro- and micro-levels of impact are important for an academic’s career.
Research has taken on an increasingly important role for all real estate academics in recent
years. This sees research as having critical importance at all levels of appointment, tenure
and promotion; particularly for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in real estate. As such, real
estate academics need a clear strategy going forward in developing their research plan and
research deliverables, including research publications, industry reports and research grants.
This has significant personal career implications in an increasingly competitive university
environment. Key elements in this strategy are conducting high quality and high impact
research.
Much of the focus over the last 30 years in this area has been on the quality of the real
estate journals; and identifying key individuals and universities publishing in these top
ranked real estate journals. This includes Azasu and Simons (2018),Beard and Allen (2019),
Dombrow and Turnbull (2000,2002),Gibler et al. (2009),Gibler and Ziobrowski (2002),Hardin
et al. (2006,2007),Jin and Yu (2011),Newell et al. (2002),Ong et al. (2001),Redman et al. (1998,
1999),Saginor (2015,2016,2017,2018,2019),Tu and Worzala (2010),Urbancic (2004),
Winson-Geideman and Evangelopoulos (2013a,b) and Worzala and Tu (2010). Often this
assessment of quality was only considered across a narrow focus of the top three US real
estate journals of Real Estate Economics,Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics and
Journal of Real Estate Research. Journal ranking schemes across the broader business/finance
journals have also been developed in many countries (see Table 1); often being university
benchmarks for staff research performance. This generally sees real estate journals
positioned within the business/finance journals when journal quality is assessed. This has
been further supported by the growth of the various regional real estate societies (e.g. ERES),
USA: University of Texas at Dallas (Dallas 24)
UK: Financial Times (FT45)
Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)
Australia: Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC)
France: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
ESSEC Business School (ESSEC)
Denmark: Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science (DMHES)
Italy: National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR)
Netherlands: Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)
Germany: German Academic Association for Business Research (GAABR)
Source(s): Authors’review of journal ranking scheme websites
Table 1.
Journal ranking
schemes: international
JPIF
40,1
50
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