Science citation index as a management tool: problems and prospects

The authors describe the Science Citation Index in Russia as a management tool science. The urgency of this problem is enhanced by the reformation of the scientific sphere in Russia. The most pressing problems of implementation of the citation index both in Russia and abroad is analyzed. The question of the expediency of integration of Russian science in the global research and education community rises, as well as the question of the way of accounting in the rankings such component as a social efficiency.