World Online Ranking of Best Business & Management Scientists – 2025 Report
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On April 7, 2025, Research.com published the fourth edition of its annual ranking of the most outstanding scientists in business and management. This annual report on exceptional researchers in the area aims to bring attention and recognition to the academic community for their research achievements. This, in particular, is in light of recent social, economic, and geopolitical events that have reshaped what it means to be resilient in business and management.
Through this report, we aim to inspire decision-makers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from all over the world to learn more about what scholars are focusing on as they formulate the best strategy for the current business landscape. This ranking of the best business and management scientists allows us all to learn from the experts while also discovering which research institutions, universities, and countries have managed to maintain a strong research tradition for advancing business and management practices.
For the 2025 edition of the leading business and management researchers, we looked at more than 2,200 profiles derived from several bibliometric databases. Using a variety of indicators and criteria, we verified and inspected each scientist's qualifications to guarantee that every entry was worthy of ranking.
To be included in the ranking, a scholar's D-index (Discipline H-index) was set at 30. Aside from the D-index, one of the main factors considered was the proportion of contributions made within the discipline, which indicates that most of their publications should be in the subject of business and management, including awards and distinctions.
Evolving research directions in business and management
Organizations are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to drive sustainable and inclusive growth, fundamentally transforming their operations to capture the value of AI. By embedding AI into their strategies, these organizations exemplify how technological innovation can be harnessed to achieve environmental sustainability and foster inclusive growth across various sectors.
The current global geopolitical, social, and economic landscape has prompted scholars in business and management research to focus on digital transformation, sustainable business practices, and AI-driven decision-making. Digital transformation remains a top priority as businesses navigate technological advancements such as blockchain, AI, and the metaverse to enhance efficiency and customer engagement.
When it comes to business operations, 44.5% of C-suite executives identify intensified global trade wars as a major threat to their organizations. With economic uncertainties and shifting labor markets, companies are investing in automation, cloud computing, and data-driven strategies to maintain a competitive edge.
As the integration of AI into business operations has accelerated, it has highlighted the need for research on ethical AI usage, bias mitigation, and regulatory compliance to ensure responsible and effective decision-making.
Geopolitical instability, including trade disruptions and shifting alliances, has intensified the urgency for resilient supply chains and localized manufacturing. Scholarly research in business and management plays a crucial role in equipping leaders with data-driven insights and strategic frameworks to navigate these challenges effectively. Studies on supply chain resilience, ethical governance, and sustainable business practices provide evidence-based approaches for mitigating risks and ensuring long-term operational stability.
The key findings for the 4th edition of the best business and management scientists ranking
- Business and management scholars from the United States continue to lead the 2025 rankings, with 446 scientists accounting for 44.6% of the top researchers. They are followed by the United Kingdom (158 scholars or 15.8%), Australia (56 scientists or 5.6%), and Canada (51 researchers or 5.1%).
- Among the top 10 scientists, seven are from the United States, two from the United Kingdom, and one from China. Leading the ranking is David B. Audretsch, one of the seven U.S. researchers in the top 1%.
- The University of Pennsylvania remains the top research institution in business and management, boasting 21 leading scholars in the 2025 ranking. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, ranked 4th among the top 10 institutions, stands out as the only Asian university with the highest number of top researchers in the field.
- For the top 1% of scientists, the average D-index has risen to 135 from 128 in 2024, while the overall D-index average for all ranked scholars stands at 62.
The full ranking for the 2025 list of the best business and management scientists can be found here:
WORLD'S BEST BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SCIENTISTS RANKING
Countries with the highest number of leading business & management scientists
Consistent with the 2024 ranking, the United States tops the list with 446 scholars, securing its place as the country with the highest number of leading scientists which represents 44.6% of the overall ranking. From having 465 ranked scientists in 2024, the number of scientists in the United States decreased to 446 in 2025.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has two more scientists this year compared with 2024, securing its second spot at 158 scientists. The ranking also sees Australia gaining five more scientists in the 2025 ranking, from 51 in 2024 to 56 in 2025.
Canada maintained its 4th place in the ranking with one additional ranked scientist in 2025. China climbed a notch higher to secure the 5th spot, adding two more scientists.
Although its total ranked scientists decreased by two in 2025, the Netherlands took the 6th spot with 36 scientists. Germany stays in the 7th spot after gaining four more scientists, from 27 in 2024 to 31 this year.
Rounding up the top 10 include Italy in the 8th spot, replacing Denmark in the top 10 with 16 scientists. France moved from spot 8 to 9 with 15 scientists and Singapore secured rank 10 with 13 scientists.
Please note that the country associated with a scientist is based on their affiliated research institution, not on their actual nationality.
Institutions with the highest number of leading scientists
In the 2025 edition of the best scientists in business and management report, the University of Pennsylvania leads all institutions with 21 scientists. While it had 22 ranked scientists in 2024, only 21 made the list this year.
Arizona State University ranks second with 13 scholars, followed by Stanford University in third place with 12 scientists. Hong Kong Polytechnic University holds the fourth spot with 11 scientists, tied with the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
The University of Manchester secures the sixth position with 10 scientists, while Harvard University, which had 12 ranked scholars in 2024, moves to seventh place also with 10 scientists. Rounding out the top 10 are Georgia Southern University, the University of Maryland-College Park, and the University of Warwick, each with 10 scientists.
Among the top 10 institutions, American universities make up 70% of the list. The University of Warwick and the University of Manchester from the United Kingdom, along with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, are the only institutions outside the U.S. in this elite group.
Expanding to the top 20, five universities from the United Kingdom are represented: the University of Warwick, the University of Manchester, Lancaster University, the University of Cambridge, and Aston University. The remaining two non-U.S. institutions are Hong Kong Polytechnic University from China and the University of Groningen from the Netherlands.
Strengthening research capabilities in online universities
There is a clear trend in global business program preferences: hybrid models are gaining traction, increasing from 12% in 2019 to 17% in 2023. Online universities play a crucial role in advancing research in business and management. They foster global collaboration by leveraging digital tools for data analysis, and promoting interdisciplinary research. They provide flexible platforms for scholars to engage in research without geographical constraints, making academic contributions more accessible and diverse.
Many online institutions partner with traditional universities to conduct joint research, share data, and publish findings. For instance, the University of London’s online business programs collaborate with research institutes like the London School of Economics (LSE) to publish studies on business and finance.
Interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships further strengthen business and management research at online universities. Many institutions collaborate with corporate partners to analyze real-world business challenges. The University of Phoenix, for instance, works with IBM to study workforce automation and leadership strategies in digital workplaces.
Another major initiative is the establishment of virtual research centers and think tanks. The University of London, for example, runs the Centre for Innovation and Management Research, which collaborates with European research hubs on sustainable business strategies.
D-index ranking-leaders, averages, and distribution
For North America, Professor David B. Audretsch of Indiana University leads the list of best researchers and also holds the top spot of the world ranking with a D-index of 144.
For Europe, Professor Cary L. Cooper of the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom ranks first with a D-index of 139. He is also the top 4 in the 2025 world ranking.
For Oceania, Professor C. Michael Hall from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand tops the list which also ranks 7th in the world ranking with a D-index of 125.
Professor Rob Law of the University of Macau in China occupies the 15th spot in the world ranking and leads the list in Asia with a D-index of 115.
For South Africa, Professor Christo Boshoff of Stellenbosch University leads the list of best scholars with a D-index of 38. Professor Boshoff is number 1413 in the world ranking.
Professor Marly Monteiro de Carvalho of Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil secures a rank of 940 in the world ranking as well as the top ranking in South America with a D-index of 46.
The average D-index for the top 1% of scientists is 135 against an average of 62 for all scientists included in the ranking.
The scholar with the lowest index value who made it to the ranking in 2025 has a D-index of 45.
For 2025, the average number of published articles for the top 1% of scholars in the ranking is 661 against an average of 218 for all the scientists.
The average number of citations for the top 1% of scientists is 116,513 against an average of 29,889 for all the scholars in the ranking.
You can learn more about the methodology used to create this report here.
About Research.com
All research was coordinated by Imed Bouchrika, Ph.D., a computer scientist with a well-established record of collaboration on a number of international research projects with different partners from the academic community. His role was to make sure all data remained unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date.
Research.com is the number one research portal for science and educational rankings. Our mission is to make it easier for professors, research fellows, and students to progress with their research and find the top experts in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Research.com is also a leading educational platform that helps students find the best colleges, academic opportunities, and career paths.
