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  Cluster 6: Business, Management & Entrepreneurship

Best Journals for Strategic Management Research (2026)

Strategic management research examines how organisations define direction, allocate resources, build competitive advantages, and respond to environmental uncertainty. It sits at the intersection of economics, organisational theory, and management practice. Whether your research tackles competitive dynamics, resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, blue ocean strategy, or digital strategy — finding the right journal is critical. This guide covers the best journals for strategic management research in 2026.

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What to Look for When Choosing a Journal

Before submitting your research, evaluate journals on these key criteria:

  • Coverage of strategy subfields: competitive strategy, corporate strategy, international strategy
  • Acceptance of both quantitative and qualitative strategy research
  • Rigorous peer review to ensure quality of strategic insights
  • Open access for broad dissemination to practitioners and policymakers
  • Fast review aligned with competitive research cycles
  • CrossRef and Google Scholar indexing for maximum citability

Recommended Journals — Cluster 6: Business, Management & Entrepreneurship

All journals below are published by Keith Publications — open access, peer-reviewed, and indexed for global discoverability.

  • Business and Management Sciences Journal (BMSJ)

    Business administration, management theories, organizational studies, and applied business research.

    Review: 2–4 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Business Administration Management Sciences Organizational Behavior Strategic Management
  • Columbia Journal of Business and Economic Research (CJBER)

    Business, economics, human resource management, marketing, finance, and interdisciplinary management research.

    Review: 2–3 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Business Economics Human Resource Management Financial Management Marketing Research
  • Columbia Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management (CJEM)

    Entrepreneurship, innovation, startup ecosystems, SME research, and venture management.

    Review: 2–4 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Entrepreneurship Innovation Management Small Business Venture Development
  • Journal of Human Resource and Organizational Behavior (JHROB)

    Human resource management, employee performance, organizational behavior, leadership, and workforce development.

    Review: 2–3 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Human Resource Management Organizational Behavior Leadership Studies Employee Performance

Fast Publication: All Keith Publications journals complete initial review within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks. Articles are published online within 5–10 days of acceptance — making us one of the fastest open access publishers in the business and management field.

Key Themes in Strategic Management Research

Strategic management journals in 2026 are particularly interested in: digital transformation strategies, post-pandemic organisational resilience, sustainability and ESG strategy, competitive advantage in platform economies, strategic leadership, blue ocean vs. red ocean strategy, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, resource-based view of the firm, and dynamic capabilities theory. Keith Publications journals welcome research across all these areas.

The Value of Open Access Strategic Research

Strategic management research has direct implications for business leaders, boards, investors, and government agencies. Open access publication ensures your findings are not trapped behind expensive paywalls — reaching the decision-makers who can act on your insights. Keith Publications journals are fully open access, making your strategic research globally accessible from day one of publication.

Tips to Maximise Your Acceptance Chances

  1. Align your topic with the journal's scope — read the aims and scope carefully before submitting.
  2. Write a compelling abstract — it's the first thing editors and reviewers read. Make it clear, concise, and keyword-rich.
  3. Ensure strong methodology — clearly describe your research design, data collection, and analysis method.
  4. Use current and relevant citations — include recent publications (within the last 5 years) alongside seminal works.
  5. Follow formatting guidelines exactly — non-compliant manuscripts are often desk-rejected without review.
  6. Write a strong conclusion — summarise key findings, discuss implications, acknowledge limitations, and suggest future research.
  7. Proofread thoroughly — language errors reduce credibility. Use professional proofreading tools or services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best journals for strategic management research?
The best journals for strategic management research include the Business and Management Sciences Journal (BMSJ) and the Columbia Journal of Business and Economic Research (CJBER) from Keith Publications — both publishing rigorous strategic management research with open access.
What topics does strategic management research cover?
Strategic management research covers competitive advantage, corporate strategy, business model innovation, digital transformation, strategic leadership, mergers and acquisitions, diversification, internationalisation strategies, and organisational resilience.
Is strategic management research different from operational management?
Yes. Strategic management focuses on long-term direction-setting, competitive positioning, and resource allocation at the top level of an organisation. Operational management focuses on day-to-day processes and efficiency. Both are important research areas and are covered in Keith Publications journals.
Can I publish a case study in a strategic management journal?
Absolutely. Case studies are a valued methodology in strategic management research and are accepted in all Keith Publications management journals.

Ready to Publish Your Research?

Submit your business, management, or entrepreneurship research manuscript to Keith Publications today. Fast peer review, open access, and global indexing — get your work published within weeks.

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