1. Introduction to the Seminar Nicolai J Foss IVS-CBS & NHH Mount Publication. Height: Often over-estimated, but shouldn’t be underestimated, either. Ease of climbing: Depends on how prepared you are and how well you follow the rules of climbing. Victims: Numerous (mostly ill-prepared or inexperienced ph.d.-students or young faculty). SMJ

2. My own background 55 papers in reviewed journals in economics and management studies since 1991. Occasional reviewer for 30 journals and 10 publishers (review freq.: 1 every 2nd week). Member of editorial boards or advisory boards on 7 journals. Participated in the upstart of one journal and the re-launch of another one. But what is much more important …

3. I have been rejected lots of times. I have made numerous stupid mistakes. I have made lots of classical mistakes. I have had my share of cruel and stupid reviewers … ”This extraordinarily rambling paper asserts that …” (a report on an early submission to Journal of Management )

4. The Purposes of This Seminar Why you, too, must publish, and why it should be mainly in journals. Preparing for publication (Psychological) barriers -- and how they may be overcome. Avoiding the (easily) avoidable mistakes in writing your ms, addressing the editor, and reacting to reviews.

5. Underlying Assumptions Thinking about publishing and preparing at least one manuscript for publication is a natural part of working for a doctorate. Surprisingly, publishing usually isn’t covered in doctoral education. The seminar is mainly concerned with journal publication -- because this is what counts.

6. Themes that will be covered... The Game The Rules Fear of writing The peer review. Submission strategies. The journal hierarchy. How to handle rejection. Publishing with a collaborator. What is a good contribution in the context of what management journals want to publish? Preparing the publication section of an application.

7. Why you, too, must publish… The moral reason : –At least in welfare states, other people invest a lot in your upgrading of your human capital. –Bizarre -- but arguably means that you have a moral obligation to make your results known to a wider audience than the Ph.d. committee.

8. The Promotion Reason “With tenure decisions usually made 5½ years after your first full-time academic job, a leisurely revision of your thesis and slow submission for publication court disaster. A major reason for denying tenure at most schools is lack of publications resulting from the researcher’s slow start. Committee work, lecture pre-paration and and advising students can quickly fill your schedule” -- Daniel Hamermesh, “The Young Economists Guide to Professional Etiquette”, Journal of Economic Perspectives vol. 6, No. 1.

9. The Promotion Reason - II Increasingly relevant in Scandinavia, for political and competition-related reasons. Politicians increasingly alert to publication performance (peer reviews of depts). Generally more demanding environment (some depts require a journal publication in addition to the thesis for the Assistant Professorship). Increasing intra-Scandinavian competition. Some competition from Germany (particularly in DK).

10. Publishing Beyond Tenure Academic pay is becoming increasingly performance- dependent (e.g., at CBS, Professors can increase their salary 10-15 % by having a superior publishing record). However, peer recognition still a main motivator -- but PR primarily comes from publishing. Those who publish frequently may have to teach less. Pressure on tenured professors to publish (research assessments) Emerging norm in the European university system that decent publication performance is min. 1 journal article per year (or 2 book chapters). But don’t forget that publishing may be great fun!!!

11. Wait, oh yes wait a minute mister postman Wait, wait mister postman Mister postman look and see You got a letter in your bag for me I been waiting such a long time Since I heard from that editor of mine Etc. -- liberally adapted from The Beatles

12. The Game Thinking of publishing as a game is helpful: – For psychological reasons. – Makes you understand that errors are made in the process -- many famous papers have been rejected. – Makes it easier to identify The Rules. – Makes it easier to identify The Prize. – Reduces the likelihood that you will commit academic suicide. – Many academics treat publishing as a fascinating game anyway -- surely, a part of academic macho-culture.

13. Psychological reasons ”Creative people of all kinds use anxiety as an energy source … Gripping writing results from intensity, and intensity is the flip side of fear … Those who convert fear into focus have a potent weapon in their arsenal” (Keyes, 1995, The Courage to Write, New York). But anxiety can also be debilitating -- you may be rejected, you take a risk, you may unintendly publish something that is wrong, etc. Thinking of publishing as a game may make it less intimidating -- it is not just work, it also fun; like umpires in a game, reviewers and editors also make mistakes; games can usually be played several times; etc.

14. (Some of) THE RULES (to be elaborated and expanded) The topic of the paper must be of significant interest to the readers of the relevant journal. The issues should be clearly communicated. The journal’s manuscript style should be (roughly) followed. The ms should be clearly written and free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. The findings are related to the relevant background knowledge. Although you may grieve upon rejection, accept that it is part of the game. Etc.

15. (Some of) THE RULES (to be elaborated and expanded) The topic of the paper must be of significant interest to the readers of the relevant journal. The issues should be clearly communicated. The journal’s manuscript style should be (roughly) followed. The ms should be clearly written and free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. The findings are related to the relevant background knowledge. Although you may grieve upon rejection, accept that it is part of the game. Etc. TRIVIAL, AREN’T THEY? WHY ARE THEY SO OFTEN VIOLATED, THEN?