Journal Editors views on Scientific Publishing in the Republic of Moldova: Results of a National Survey

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of scientific journal editors in the Republic of Moldova regarding challenges and reforms in the national publishing system amidst global transformations in scholarly communication. Drawing on a national survey involving 57 editorial actors, including editors-in-chief and board members, the research explores the alignment of Moldovan journals with international standards, the formalization of editorial policies, and obstacles to indexing and internationalization.

The findings reveal a publishing ecosystem in transition: editors report substantial improvements in article structure, peer review practices, and citation standardization, largely driven by national regulations. However, despite high rates of indexing in the national bibliometric platform and adoption of open access, international visibility remains limited – only 12.28% of journals are indexed in Scopus and 3.51% in Web of Science. Structural barriers such as limited funding, insufficient digital infrastructure, and a lack of skilled personnel hinder compliance with international indexing criteria. Editors also highlight the absence of coherent national policies and support mechanisms.

Despite these constraints, the editorial community demonstrates strong engagement and strategic orientation. Most journals implement DOIs, ORCID identifiers, and English abstracts, reflecting efforts toward internationalization. Respondents propose policy revisions including funding schemes, infrastructure modernization, and professionalization of editorial work. The study concludes that meaningful integration into the global scientific landscape requires not only regulatory compliance but also systemic support tailored to local needs.