Economic Journals of the BRICS Countries: Assessment of Academic Influence

The BRICS countries are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping a multipolar model of global science. This study aims to assess the academic influence of economic journals published in BRICS countries from the following key perspectives: academic standing, relevance, influence sustainability, internationalization, and external institutional recognition (lack of isolation). The methods of bibliometric, comparative, and cluster analysis were used. The study revealed that the BRICS countries have significantly increased their presence in the Scopus database. However, their scientific publishing landscape is highly heterogeneous. Russia and India exhibit the highest publication volumes among the BRICS countries, albeit with relatively low citation rates and a low level of internationalization. Meanwhile, Chinese, South African, and Indonesian journals have the highest citation rates and strongest integration into the global discourse. Cluster analysis identified five groups of journals with a range of academic influence levels, from peripheral contributors to international leaders. Additionally, country-specific features of their distribution were determined. The present research provides insights into the pivotal role of national journals in overcoming peripherality and strengthening the academic influence of nationwide science. The research methodology can be used to develop strategies that promote nations to become part of the global research community.