Epistemological foundations of a publication policy: its application to HSM

Abstract

The criteria which editors should follow to evaluate the material they accept for publication are examined. Given that what is written must satisfy two audiences, one of scientists/academicians and another of managers/practitioners, two types of knowledge are defined and described. Criteria for both sets are presented and advanced. Publications intended for scientists/academicians should be appraised by (a) the extent to which they promote the progress of knowledge, as measured by criteria drawn from epistemology, and (b) the quality of the article, as determined by the level in the hierarchy of publications as defined herein. Publications intended for managers/practitioners must satisfy criteria which relate to standards of timeliness, applicability, effectiveness, explanatory power-all factors designed to improve the managers' job performance. Finally, all publications, regardless for whom intended, must satisfy standards of readability, composition, and style. These principles are applied to evaluate the first two volumes of HSM and to enunciate recommendations for future publication policies.