1. Introduction

The Journal of Business and Management Studies (JBMS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct in scholarly publishing. The journal adheres to the guidelines and principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the publication process. This publication ethics and publication malpractice statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, editors, and the journal itself.

2. Duties of Authors

2.1 Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their submitted manuscripts are original and have not been published elsewhere. If authors have used the work and/or words of others, this must be appropriately cited or quoted. Plagiarism in any form is considered unethical and unacceptable.

2.2 Authorship and Acknowledgments

All individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and manuscript must be listed as authors. Any conflicts regarding authorship should be resolved prior to submission. Proper acknowledgment of the contributions of others must be included in the manuscript.

2.3 Data Access and Retention

Authors are required to provide access to the data supporting their findings and be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable period after publication. Data fabrication and falsification are considered serious ethical breaches.

2.4 Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Simultaneous submission of a manuscript to multiple journals is considered unethical and a violation of publishing norms.

2.5 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed.

3. Duties of Reviewers

3.1 Confidentiality

Reviewers should treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Reviewers must not use any information from the manuscript for personal gain or disclose it to others without the explicit permission of the editor.

3.2 Objectivity and Impartiality

Reviewers must provide constructive and unbiased feedback on the scholarly merits of the manuscript. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should promptly notify the editor of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the review process.

3.3 Timeliness

Reviewers should notify the editor if they cannot complete the review within the stipulated time frame. Constructive and timely feedback is essential for the improvement of the manuscript.

4. Duties of Editors

4.1 Editorial Independence

Editors should make decisions on manuscripts based on their academic merit, relevance to the journal's scope, and adherence to ethical standards. Editorial decisions should not be influenced by the authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or institutional affiliation.

4.2 Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not disclose information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher.

4.3 Publication Decisions

Editors have the responsibility to make fair and unbiased publication decisions based on the manuscript's quality, originality, and relevance to the journal's scope.

4.4 Handling of Manuscripts

Editors should ensure a timely and efficient peer review process. Manuscripts should be evaluated based on academic merit, without regard to the authors' identity.

4.5 Conflict of Interest

Editors and editorial board members must disclose any conflicts of interest that may influence their decision-making processes.

5. Journal's Responsibilities

5.1 Integrity of the Academic Record

The journal is committed to maintaining the integrity of the academic record. The editorial team will take appropriate measures to address concerns about ethical issues, publication misconduct, and ensure the correction or retraction of inaccurate or misleading information.

5.2 Access to Information

The journal will provide open access to all content, ensuring broad dissemination of knowledge and facilitating scholarly exchange.

5.3 Cooperation with Investigations

The journal will cooperate with investigations and inquiries into alleged misconduct, following the guidelines and recommendations of COPE.

6. Publication Malpractice

6.1 Violation of Ethical Standards

Any violation of the ethical standards outlined in this statement will be considered a case of publication malpractice. Such cases will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken, including correction, retraction, or other necessary measures.

6.2 Procedures for Handling Allegations

Allegations of ethical misconduct will be handled in accordance with the procedures recommended by COPE. All parties involved in the publication process will be treated fairly and given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

7. Conclusion

The Journal of Business and Management Studies is dedicated to fostering a culture of ethical research and publication. Authors, reviewers, editors, and the journal itself play pivotal roles in upholding these ethical standards. The publication ethics and publication malpractice statement outlined above provide a framework for maintaining the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing.

Contact

Al-Kindi works closely with authors and editors to promote adherence to core principles of publication ethics, as expressed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). We encourage the use of COPE resources, available on their website. All manuscripts should confirm to standards of ethical behaviour. Where we become aware of ethical issues, we are committed to investigating and taking necessary action to maintain the integrity of the literature.
Should you have any concerns about a published manuscript, we encourage you to contact us via email below.
Research Integrity and Publication Ethics team
ethics@al-kindipublisher.com