Editorial
We are delighted to present the inaugural issue of the International Journal of Energy Sector Management (IJESM). The initiative to launch the new journal in energy was taken about a year ago when it was noticed that despite high relevance and importance of the energy sector internationally and in spite of multitude of management challenges facing the sector both in the short- and long-terms, there is no academic journal that focuses specifically on the management issues of the sector. Given the sector encompasses a wide range of activities, providing a rich area of application of management principles,lack of a specialist management journal impedes timely reporting, experience sharing and capacity building. This journal is being launched to bridge this important gap in the academic literature.
IJESM will provide a peer-reviewed, inter-disciplinary international platform for disseminating results of research related to and/or relevant for the management of the energy sector. It aims to create a unique platform where academics and professionals would be able to disseminate their works on a wide range of energy sector management issues, including but not limited to the management of scarce resources, projects, activities and concerns, technologies,knowledge, innovation and transition, as well as studies related to strategies,policies and any tools for supporting such decision-making. This multi-disciplinary approach with the possibility of triangulation of ideas across disciplines we believe would promote a better appreciation of the multitude of issues and challenges facing the multi-dimensional sector.
At IJESM, we are trying follow a simple editorial policy: speedy publication of quality research outputs following an objective and transparent evaluation process. Keeping the wider audience in mind, the journal would carry applied, practical-oriented, problem-solving research as full length papers and short notes. It would also publish reports of ongoing research works or institutional capacities, contributions based on doctoral research works, book reviews and other commissioned review works.
The inaugural issue of the journal contains a short paper, five full length papers, one research activity report and a book review. In the first paper, one of the editors (Dr Bhattacharyya) presents an overview of the energy sector management challenges – the challenge of energy transition management, and some specific issues related to the resource-rich and resource-poor countries as well as some common issues for everyone. Continuing with the transition theme,Ricci et al. present the challenges related to the transition to the hydrogen economy. They argue that technology and risk assessments provide a partial picture of how a technological transition might be shaped and managed. Other issues such as the motivations that drive the development of new technologies and practices; the distribution of risks, benefits and costs (both economic and social); and the changes in individual and collective behaviour need to be considered.
Higher oil prices in recent times have brought the concerns energy security concerns to limelight once again. The management of economic impacts of rising energy prices becomes an important consideration both for the consuming and producing countries. The vulnerability of the energy sector is a commonly used concept in such analyses but Professor Percebois in his contribution brings out the multi-facets of this concept and discusses various ways of mitigating the vulnerability.
Two subsequent papers focus on two different aspects of the oil and gas industry:
(1) Aziz and Lee analyses whether and to what extent subsidiaries of foreign oil and gas companies working in Malaysia are managing knowledge. Using a multi-case study approach, they find that the subsidiaries manage knowledge to varying degrees but the parent companies greatly influence the behaviour of the subsidies in this respect.
(2) Nandakumar explores the recent developments in Sino-India co-operation in petroleum exploration overseas and analyses whether such a co-operative solution would benefit India.
In addition to the above full papers, the issue contains a short paper by Professor de la Vega Navarro on the Mexican model of energy reform. He highlights the deficiencies of the present model and suggests that there is need for a continuous and comprehensive change to face the energy sector challenges.
In line with the objective of encouraging dialogue with other researchers and share research developments, the issue starts a research report section. Bowen et al. present the clean coal initiatives being taken in Indiana and the research being carried out at the Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research. In the book review section, Bhattacharyya reviews a recent book on regulation.
We thank all the contributors to have faith in a new journal. We are also highly indebted to the reviewers who have given their time and efforts and adhered to a strict timeline. Finally, our sincere thanks are also due to the publisher, Emerald Group, and those involved for the publication and promotion of the journal, especially to Ms Vicky Williams and Mr Joe Bennett for their continued support. We hope you would enjoy reading this issue.
Subhes C. BhattacharyyaCEPMLP, Dundee University, Dundee, UK, and Prasanta K. DeyAston Business School, Birmingham, UK
