Are we playing the same “research” game in business?

Abstract This study evaluates the limitations of impact factors in assessing journal quality and explores the competitive dynamics of publishing in top‐tier journals across Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing. We document notable cross‐disciplinary variations that challenge the effectiveness of impact factors. Our findings suggest that expanding journal lists within business disciplines by adding high‐impact journals can change the competitiveness of top‐tier publications and may lead to imbalances in promotion and tenure (P&T) decisions. This study contributes to the broader discussion on journal quality metrics in business research, advocating for a nuanced approach to achieve fair and accurate assessments across disciplines.