The Why, What, and How of Reviewer Education: A Human Capital Approach

Abstract

Reviewing has long been recognized as a critical part of the academic process of knowledge creation, development, and dissemination. However, as evidenced by recent findings from focus groups and an international survey, the relative lack of effective formal training in management PhD programs on how to review is surprising given the impact that reviewing has on the management field. Despite the importance of reviewing to the success of the management field and the careers of those in our profession, many scholars still learn how to review by the inefficient method of trial and error. In response to recent criticisms and calls for the rehabilitation of the review process, the authors discuss why doctoral students need to be educated in order to be effective reviewers, what major topics should be covered in this training, and how certain techniques can be used to educate students while also enhancing their human capital and future career success.