Structural Evolution of the Ecuadorian Scopus-Indexed Journal Ecosystem During 2016–2025

Abstract

This study analyzed the structural evolution of the Ecuadorian publishing ecosystem indexed in Scopus during the period 2016–2025 using indicators of scientific production, bibliometric impact, quartile positioning, citation concentration, editorial persistence, and women’s participation. Bibliometric information was obtained from the SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR) database by constructing a longitudinal journal-year panel of Ecuadorian scientific journals. The results revealed a sustained expansion of the national publishing ecosystem, reflected in substantial growth in publication output, journal coverage, citation performance, and average SJR values. However, this expansion was not accompanied by equivalent improvements in quartile positioning, as journals classified in Q3 and Q4 continued to predominate throughout the study period. The analysis also identified a high concentration of bibliometric impact within a limited set of journals, along with significant disciplinary transformations, characterized by the growing participation of Engineering and STEM-related fields. Female participation increased over time, although heterogeneous patterns persisted across disciplinary areas. To provide an integrated perspective on ecosystem evolution, a Composite Indicator of Editorial Development (CIED) was constructed, combining dimensions of visibility, citation efficiency, editorial coverage, quartile positioning, and impact dispersion. Overall, the findings indicate that the Ecuadorian publishing ecosystem has strengthened its editorial development and international visibility over the last decade, while persistent asymmetries in quartile distribution and citation concentration continue to pose important challenges to broader integration into the global structure of scientific communication.