Copyright Policy

The International Journal of Business and Management (IJBM) is committed to protecting the rights of authors while promoting the widespread dissemination of research. Our copyright policy outlines the rights and responsibilities of authors, the journal, and third parties in relation to the content published in IJBM.

1. Author Rights

Authors retain significant rights to their work upon publication in IJBM, including:

• Ownership: Authors retain the copyright of their articles and can reuse their content in subsequent publications, teaching, or presentations, as long as proper acknowledgment of the original publication in IJBM is given.

• Distribution: Authors are encouraged to share their published work freely, including posting the final published version on personal or institutional websites, in repositories, and on professional networking sites, provided that the original source is credited.

• Adaptation: Authors may adapt or build upon their published work, including for derivative works, as long as the original work is properly cited and acknowledged.

2. Journal Rights

By submitting a manuscript to IJBM, authors grant the journal a license to publish the article and to distribute it in all forms and media. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Publication: The right to publish and disseminate the article in both print and digital formats, including online platforms and databases.

• Archiving: The right to deposit the article in digital archives and repositories to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.

• Licensing: The right to license the article to third-party aggregators and distributors to enhance the visibility and reach of the content.

3. Creative Commons License

All articles published in IJBM are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. This license allows others to:

• Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.

• Adapt: Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

The only requirement is that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source of the material, with a link to the Creative Commons license and an indication of any changes made. This ensures that the original work is properly cited and that the authors receive recognition for their contributions.

4. Third-Party Content

If a manuscript includes material (such as images, figures, or tables) from other sources, it is the responsibility of the authors to obtain permission from the copyright holders to use this material in their article. Authors must provide evidence of permission upon submission. The source of the third-party content must be clearly acknowledged in the manuscript.

5. Reuse of IJBM Content

Third parties may reuse content published in IJBM under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, provided that:

• Attribution: Proper credit is given to the authors and the original source of the content.

• Purpose: The content may be reused for any purpose, including commercial purposes, as long as the original work is properly cited.

• Modifications: If the content is modified or adapted, the nature of the changes must be indicated clearly.

6. Copyright Disputes

IJBM takes copyright issues seriously and is committed to resolving any disputes that may arise. If an author or third party believes their copyright has been infringed, they should contact the editorial office immediately with a detailed description of the issue. The journal will investigate the claim and take appropriate action, which may include the removal of the infringing content or correction of the published article.

7. Permissions for Reproduction

Requests for permission to reproduce or republish content from IJBM should be directed to the editorial office. Permissions are generally granted for non-commercial uses that contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, provided proper attribution is given to the original publication.

Editorial Policy

The International Journal of Business and Management (IJBM) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of editorial integrity and ethical publishing. Our editorial policies are designed to ensure that all submitted manuscripts are evaluated fairly, transparently, and based solely on their academic merit. This policy outlines the principles and procedures that guide the editorial process at IJBM.

1. Editorial Independence

IJBM’s editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by external pressures, including those from publishers, funders, or any other external parties. The editorial team has full authority over the content published in the journal, and decisions are based strictly on the manuscript’s quality, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope.

2. Manuscript Handling and Review Process

Initial Assessment:

• All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial assessment by the editorial team to determine whether they meet the journal’s basic requirements and fit within the journal’s scope.

• Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria may be rejected at this stage without external review.

Peer Review:

• Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment are subjected to a rigorous double-blind peer review process, where both the identities of the authors and reviewers are kept anonymous.

• The editorial team selects appropriate reviewers based on their expertise in the manuscript’s subject area.

• Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on criteria such as originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and contribution to the field.

• The editorial team considers the reviewers’ feedback and makes a decision to accept, request revisions, or reject the manuscript.

Revisions:

• If revisions are requested, the manuscript is returned to the authors with specific feedback from the reviewers.

• Authors are expected to address all comments and resubmit the revised manuscript within the specified time frame

• Revised manuscripts may undergo further review if necessary before a final decision is made.

3. Ethical Considerations

Confidentiality:

• The editorial team is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts throughout the editorial process.

• Information regarding submitted manuscripts will not be shared with anyone outside of the editorial and review teams, except in cases where additional expertise is required.

Conflict of Interest:

• Editors, reviewers, and editorial board members are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their judgment.

• If a conflict of interest is identified, the editor or reviewer will recuse themselves from handling the manuscript, and an alternative will be assigned.

Ethical Oversight:

• IJBM follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to ensure ethical oversight of all published content.

• The editorial team is responsible for investigating and addressing any ethical issues that arise, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and other forms of academic misconduct.

• Any ethical concerns raised during the review process or after publication will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken.

4. Transparency and Openness

IJBM is committed to transparency in the editorial process. Authors, reviewers, and readers are provided with clear information about the journal’s policies and procedures. The journal adheres to the following practices:

• Open Communication: The editorial team maintains open lines of communication with authors and reviewers throughout the editorial process.

• Clear Guidelines: Authors and reviewers are provided with detailed guidelines to ensure a smooth submission, review, and publication process.

• Editorial Decisions: Decisions regarding manuscript acceptance or rejection are communicated promptly to the authors, along with constructive feedback from the reviewers.

5. Appeals and Complaints

Appeals:

• Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions if they believe their manuscript was unfairly evaluated.

• Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief, outlining the grounds for the appeal.

• The editorial board will review the appeal, and a final decision will be made. The decision following the appeal is binding.

Complaints:

• Any complaints regarding the editorial process or ethical concerns should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief.

• Complaints will be handled in accordance with COPE guidelines, and the editorial team will work to resolve the issue in a fair and timely manner.

6. Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Notes

IJBM is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the scholarly record. If errors are identified in published articles, the following actions may be taken:

• Corrections: Minor errors that do not affect the overall findings of the research may be corrected through a published erratum or corrigendum.

• Retractions: In cases where significant errors or ethical violations are identified, the journal may retract the article. A retraction notice will be published, and the article will be marked as retracted in all online versions.

• Editorial Notes: The journal may also publish editorial notes to clarify aspects of the published research or to provide additional context for readers.

7. Editorial Board

The editorial board of IJBM comprises experts from a wide range of disciplines within science and technology. The board members are responsible for:

• Guiding the Editorial Policy: Providing strategic direction and oversight to ensure the journal’s growth and adherence to high standards.

• Reviewing Manuscripts: Assisting in the peer review process by reviewing manuscripts within their areas of expertise.

• Advising on Ethical Issues: Offering guidance on ethical matters and helping resolve disputes related to the editorial process.