A Bibliometric Exploration of Events Literature In and Outside the Core Journals

Abstract

There are various positions on what literature represents ‘core’ event management research and to what degree ‘peripheral’ tourism and hospitality (T&H) literature influences and overlaps with this field. Previous literature reviews have made progress but methodological challenges remain. The influences of journal lists, performance-based research funding systems and selective databases are discussed regarding the journal selection of events researchers. An exploratory approach to charting the core and periphery of events related research was taken. Firstly, the relevance of a wide range of journals to event management research was tested using a measure of inter-rater agreement. Twenty-four of the fifty-three journals reviewed were selected as relevant. Secondly, a bibliometric analysis of highly cited articles was carried out. 272 of 480 papers from 2008-2018 were selected and further examined using citation analysis. Three, four-star journals accounted for 60% of all references within the sample, despite only accounting for 23% of the total article volume. Quantitative research and articles about festivals or sports events were predominant in the sample, although the research methodology used and types of events chosen by individual articles had limited or no effect on the number of citations received. Most (77%) authors were based in Australia, Europe, New Zealand and North America. Future reviews are advised to investigate blended approaches, open data, non-selective databases and international perspectives.