A Bibliometric Model to Analyze Country Research Performance: SciVal Topic Prominence Approach in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality

Abstract

This paper aimed to evaluate the Portuguese scientific production within Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management (TLHM). To this end, 572 papers from 51 peer-reviewed Scopus journals were mapped through a mixed bibliometric analysis method. The results indicated that Portugal has a significant TLHM research production, with an outstanding performance in terms of topic prominence percentile. Additionally, Portuguese TLHM research collaboration has increased significantly in recent years. It should be pointed out, however, that this production is significantly skewed towards tourism-specific studies rather than hospitality. This study presents a new bibliometric contribution by bringing the SciVal topic prominence and prominence percentile to the TLHM field and presenting a new country research performance model, indicating a new way to evaluate a country’s research performance. Additionally, this investigation featuring the overall structure of Portuguese TLHM research provides clear outlines to concerned bodies regarding researcher and institution performance and gives helpful and timely information to researchers, scholars, government managers, industry managers, and tourism and hospitality consultants.