A1 Journal article (refereed)
Between the number and the word : quantitative methods in business history revisited (2023)
Eloranta, J., Ojala, J., Valtonen, H., & Poso, E. (2023). Between the number and the word : quantitative methods in business history revisited. Revista de Historia Industrial, 32(88), 19-48. https://doi.org/10.1344/rhiihr.40896
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Eloranta, Jari; Ojala, Jari; Valtonen, Heli; Poso, Eetu
Journal or series: Revista de Historia Industrial
ISSN: 1132-7200
eISSN: 2385-3247
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 14/07/2023
Volume: 32
Issue number: 88
Pages range: 19-48
Publisher: Edicions de la Universitat de Barcelona
Publication country: Spain
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1344/rhiihr.40896
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88806
Additional information: Special issue of Revista de Historia Industrial - Industrial History Review devoted to quantitative business history.
Abstract
This article extends our earlier analysis (2010) to gauge, first, to what extent quantitative methods have been used in recent business history research and, second, the impact that quantitative methods may have had on the citations of business history articles. We used data from the two premier journals in the field (Business History and Business History Review) of the last 20 years. We found that the quantitative content has not increased in relative terms recently in these journals, yet it has in absolute terms. However, at the same time more sophisticated statistical methods have been used more frequently also in business historical research. Contrary to our earlier results, quantitative methods no longer have an easily discernible impact on citation patterns, yet the explicit use of theories seems to have increased the appeal of such scholarship. The unclear impact on citations may be due, at least in part, to a time lag in interdisciplinary knowledge networks. We also argue that the growing impact of economics and economic history, global and comparative history, and digital big data methods will necessitate more use of quantitative methods in the future, with citation impacts becoming observable only in the coming decades.
Keywords: bibliometrics; economic history; business operations; historical research; quantitative research; statistical methods; references; literary sources
Free keywords: bibliometric; quantitative; business history; economic history; methods; citations
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2023
JUFO rating: 0