FOM Hochschule fur Oekonomie und Management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND STRATEGIC VISION

With an overall risk score of -0.358, FOM Hochschule fur Oekonomie und Management demonstrates a robust and commendable scientific integrity profile, operating with a lower risk exposure than the global average. The institution's primary strengths are evident in its exceptionally low rates of Institutional Self-Citation, Hyperprolific Authorship, and publication in Discontinued or Institutional Journals, indicating a culture of external validation and a focus on quality. The main area for strategic attention is the Rate of Multiple Affiliations, which presents a medium risk level and is higher than the national average. According to SCImago Institutions Rankings data, the institution holds a significant position in key thematic areas, including Business, Management and Accounting, and Psychology. While the institution's specific mission was not available for this analysis, its strong integrity performance aligns with the universal academic values of excellence and social responsibility. The observed risks, particularly in affiliation practices, could pose a reputational challenge if left unmonitored. We recommend celebrating the institution's clear strengths in research integrity while proactively examining the drivers behind its multiple affiliation patterns to ensure they are fully aligned with its strategic goals.

ANALYSIS BY INDICATOR

Rate of Multiple Affiliations

The institution presents a Z-score of 1.050, which is notably higher than the German national average of 0.084. Although both the institution and the country fall within a medium risk level, this score indicates that the center is more exposed to this dynamic than its national peers. While multiple affiliations are often a legitimate result of researcher mobility or partnerships, this heightened rate suggests a need for review. It is crucial to ascertain whether this pattern reflects genuine, substantive collaborations or signals strategic attempts to inflate institutional credit through "affiliation shopping," which could carry reputational risks.

Rate of Retracted Output

With a Z-score of -0.249, the institution's rate of retracted publications is low and statistically normal for its context, closely mirroring the national average of -0.212. This alignment suggests that the institution's quality control and post-publication supervision mechanisms are functioning as expected within the German research environment. Such a level does not indicate systemic failures; rather, it reflects a healthy scientific process where retractions are likely the result of honest corrections of unintentional errors, signifying responsible oversight and a commitment to the integrity of the scientific record.

Rate of Institutional Self-Citation

The institution demonstrates an exceptionally low rate of self-citation, with a Z-score of -1.685, which is significantly below Germany's already low national average (-0.061). This result is a strong indicator of scientific extroversion and integration into the global research community. It shows that the institution's work is validated by external scrutiny rather than through internal "echo chambers." This absence of risk signals a healthy dynamic where academic influence is built on broad recognition, effectively avoiding the endogamous inflation of impact that can arise from disproportionately high self-citation.

Rate of Output in Discontinued Journals

The institution's performance in this area is exemplary, with a Z-score of -0.545 that indicates a near-total absence of publications in discontinued journals, performing even better than the very low national average (-0.455). This operational silence signifies an outstanding level of due diligence in the selection of dissemination channels. By effectively avoiding media that fail to meet international ethical or quality standards, the institution protects itself from severe reputational risks and demonstrates a strong commitment to information literacy, ensuring that research resources are not wasted on "predatory" or low-quality practices.

Rate of Hyper-Authored Output

The institution shows a low rate of hyper-authored output (Z-score: -0.172), demonstrating institutional resilience against the medium-risk trend observed at the national level (Z-score: 0.994). This suggests that internal control mechanisms or cultural norms are effectively mitigating the systemic risks present in the wider German environment. By maintaining this low profile, the institution ensures that author lists are more likely to reflect genuine contributions, thereby preserving individual accountability and transparency and successfully distinguishing between necessary massive collaboration and potentially problematic "honorary" authorship practices.

Gap between Impact of total output and the impact of output with leadership

With a low Z-score of -0.076, the institution exhibits a minimal gap between its overall impact and the impact of research under its direct leadership, contrasting sharply with the medium-level gap seen nationally (Z-score: 0.275). This demonstrates significant institutional resilience and scientific autonomy. The result suggests that the institution's scientific prestige is structural and derived from its own internal capacity, not primarily dependent on external partners. This robust internal leadership mitigates the sustainability risk of having an exogenous impact, indicating that its excellence metrics are a true reflection of its own research capabilities.

Rate of Hyperprolific Authors

The institution displays a very low Z-score of -1.413 for hyperprolific authors, effectively isolating itself from the medium-risk dynamics observed in Germany (Z-score: 0.454). This preventive disconnection is a strong positive signal of a healthy research culture. It indicates an environment that prioritizes quality and meaningful intellectual contribution over sheer publication volume. By avoiding the pressures that can lead to extreme individual productivity, the institution mitigates risks such as coercive authorship or "salami slicing," thereby upholding the integrity of its scientific record.

Rate of Output in Institutional Journals

The institution's Z-score of -0.268 for publications in its own journals is very low and demonstrates perfect synchrony with the national standard (-0.263). This total alignment with an environment of maximum scientific security shows a clear commitment to external, independent validation. By not relying on in-house journals, the institution avoids potential conflicts of interest and ensures its scientific production undergoes standard competitive peer review. This practice enhances global visibility and credibility, confirming that internal channels are not used as "fast tracks" to inflate academic output.

Rate of Redundant Output

With a low Z-score of -0.284, the institution effectively manages the risk of redundant publications, showing resilience against the medium-risk trend prevalent across Germany (Z-score: 0.514). This suggests that institutional policies or academic standards are successfully promoting the publication of substantive and coherent research. By controlling this indicator, the institution avoids the practice of "salami slicing," where studies are fragmented into minimal units to artificially inflate productivity. This commitment ensures that its contributions to the scientific record are significant and do not overburden the peer review system with duplicated information.