University journals: a semi-systematic literature review of trends, challenges and future research directions

Abstract

University journals (UJs), understood as scholarly journals published by or associated with universities, play an essential role in the dissemination of academic knowledge, serving as a vital platform for scholarly communication. They reflect the diverse regional practices of academic communities and address the unique academic needs of scholars. Despite their significance, UJs remain underexplored in the existing literature, particularly in terms of their sustainability, visibility and impact within the evolving academic publishing landscape. This study employs a semi-systematic review of 105 publications to investigate the principal trends, challenges and opportunities associated with UJs. A semi-systematic approach was adopted to integrate theoretical, empirical and descriptive studies drawn from a range of disciplines. A search of the Dimensions Plus, OpenAlex, Scopus and Web of Science databases, supplemented by manual exploration, yielded a diverse set of sources. In order to ensure a comprehensive analysis, the inclusion criteria were designed to encompass studies focusing on a range of key aspects, including the operational models, funding structures, editorial practices, peer-review processes and technological infrastructure of UJs. The review highlights the interdependence of financial, technological and editorial challenges, advocating for integrated strategies that address these issues in a holistic manner.