Dr. Linda Alkire appointed co-editor-in-chief of Journal of Service Management

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Dr. Linda Alkire, associate professor of marketing and director of the center for professional sales at Texas State University's McCoy College of Business, has been named co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Service Management (JoSM).

Alkire and Dr. Sertan Kabadayi of Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business were announced co-editors-in-chief of the journal earlier this year.

Alkire said she is honored and looking forward to the opportunity to lead the journal.

"This prestigious appointment is particularly meaningful to me, as JoSM was the journal where I published my first academic research paper," she said in an email shared with colleagues. "To now have the opportunity to co-lead and shape its future represents a full-circle moment in my academic journey."

Alkire continued: "Additionally, this achievement brings significant recognition to the McCoy College of Business, further solidifying our institution's standing as a leader in service research and business scholarship."

According to the journal’s website, JoSM is a globally recognized academic journal focusing on service management research. It publishes papers that make a unique and significant contribution to service literature and provides a resource for those working across the full spectrum of the service management field, regardless of discipline.

JoSM holds an A-ranking from the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC). Its 2023 impact factor — a metric used to evaluate a journal's impact, with higher numbers indicating greater influence within the field — is 7.8, placing it in Quartile 1, which represents the top 25% of journals in a specific subject area. The journal's 7.5% acceptance rate reflects its high editorial standards.

Over 70 professors and experts in related fields from around the world endorsed the appointments of Alkire and Kabaday in a nomination letter citing their "editorial expertise, dedication to advancing service research, and a deep connection to the global service research community."

"This overwhelming endorsement from the global academic community underscores the significance of this appointment and the trust placed in us to lead JoSM forward," Alkire said.

In an announcement from the journal's publisher, Emerald Publishing, the incoming leadership was celebrated for its potential to "push boundaries, embrace emerging research areas, and strengthen [JoSM's] role as a key forum for scholars and practitioners alike."

Alkire added: “As co-editors-in-chief, we are supported by our newly formed team of 127 scholars across three editorial boards, representing 104 institutions in 25 countries—underscoring our commitment to inclusive and globally engaged academic leadership”.

Alkire expressed her enthusiasm for what lies ahead: "This leadership role at JoSM will not only enhance our individual research profiles but also elevate McCoy College's visibility within the global academic and business communities," she wrote in the email. "I am truly grateful for this opportunity and excited for the journey ahead."

Through this role, Alkire hopes to continue promoting McCoy College's growing influence globally and the university's commitment to academic excellence. ✯