The connection of the journal ranking, research assessment exercises  
and refereeing process was mentioned earlier in this thread. Perhaps  
it is worth re-reading in this light the article by B. S. Frey,   
Publishing as prostitution? - Choosing between one?s own ideas and  
academic success. Public Choice, 116, 2003, pp. 205-223. (a draft can  
be downloaded from http://ideas.repec.org/p/zur/iewwpx/117.html ).

Daniele Besomi