A review and theorization of structural academic inequalities that may influence scholarly publishing

Abstract

There is a far-reaching scholarly discussion on specific structural disadvantages that might hinder getting published. This paper will cover most of these hindrances in a holistic framework. Based on an extensive literature review, a differentiation was made between disadvantages that influence career development and disadvantages that might directly influence peer review and editorial decisions, formulating specific propositions that capture the direction of potential inequalities. The theoretical summary shows that structural disadvantages might negatively affect getting published. A theoretical model showing was constructed that shows the disadvantages can be conceptually separated but in real life are intersectional in nature. These results imply that mapping the potential disadvantages behind scholarly work is essential if journals aim to publish a more inclusive and diverse set of scholarly work.