Editorial: beyond publish or perish: the importance of citations and how to get them

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of citations as a success metric and provide practical tips for increasing citations. Design/methodology/approach The authors build on previous commentators to provide evidence for citations. Findings The purpose of academia is not to merely publish. It is to contribute to the body of knowledge. This means shifting focus from publishing as an end goal to publishing as a means to an end. Originality/value The editorial reminds scholars of their duty to science and the need to take individual responsibility for the spread of knowledge. The generation of citations is not a difficult process as illustrated by the practical tips offered.