Publication Ethics

Publication Ethics

At the Sinergi International Journal of Management and Business, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and preventing any form of publication malpractice. Our Editorial Board ensures strict adherence to these principles. Unethical behavior will not be tolerated in any form. Editors, authors, and reviewers are required to follow good publication practices as outlined by the COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors. Complete guidelines are available on the COPE website under their Core Practices.

Authors and Contributors

  1. Definition of Authorship: All authors must agree to the content and submission process of the work, including obtaining necessary permissions from relevant institutions. We do not specify a particular type of contribution for authorship and encourage adherence to field-specific guidelines.
  2. Disclosure and Declaration: Authors must disclose funding, financial or non-financial interests, and ethical approvals, including informed consent for research involving humans or animals.
  3. Role of Corresponding Author: The corresponding author coordinates approvals from all authors, manages communication between the journal and authors, and ensures transparency in material usage.
  4. Author Contributions: We value transparency in author contributions and publish a statement of contributions in each manuscript.
  5. Affiliation: Authors' primary affiliation should reflect where the research was conducted. This address will not be changed post-publication.
  6. Changes in Authorship: Authors should confirm the correct group and order of authors at submission. Any changes after submission must be approved by all authors and are not allowed after acceptance.
  7. Author Identification: Authors are encouraged to use their ORCID ID when submitting work or to obtain it during the submission process.
  8. Deceased or Incapacitated Authors: If a co-author dies or becomes incapacitated during writing or review, inclusion must be approved by a legal representative, typically a close relative.
  9. Confidentiality: All communications with the journal, including correspondence with editors and reviewer reports, are confidential unless there is explicit consent to share.
  10. Authorship Issues or Disputes: Authors should resolve authorship disputes themselves. The journal will not investigate or decide on such matters. If unresolved, the journal may withdraw the manuscript or raise the issue with the authors' institution.
  11. Content Generated by Artificial Intelligence: AI-based tools cannot be considered independent authors and are not responsible for research design. AI tool usage must be transparently described in research methods.
  12. Revising Author Names After Publication: Authors wishing to change their names post-publication will have metadata updated without announcing the change to protect privacy.
  13. Journal Editors and Staff as Authors: Editors and staff involved in compiling a manuscript are excluded from editorial decisions regarding that manuscript.
  14. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors: Authors must maintain scientific integrity and avoid misrepresentation of research results. Rejection decisions should be respected, and independent review may be required.
  15. Fundamental Errors: Authors must correct significant errors in their publications upon discovery.
  16. Suggesting Reviewers: Authors may suggest independent reviewers and provide appropriate contact details.

Complaints and Appeals

  1. Policy and Process: Initial complaints should be handled by the Editor-in-Chief or the handling editor, covering appeals against editorial decisions and complaints about delays or publication processes.
  2. Complaints about Scientific Content: The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor will assess the author's arguments and reviewer reports to decide if the rejection decision should be upheld, requires an independent opinion, or if an appeal should be considered. Appeal decisions are final.
  3. Complaints about Process: The Editor-in-Chief, Handling Editor, and relevant internal contacts will investigate and provide feedback to improve the process.
  4. Complaints about Publication Ethics: The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor will follow COPE guidelines and may seek advice in difficult cases. Complaints can be escalated to the Committee if unsatisfied with the handling.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose all interests that could potentially affect their research, both directly and indirectly. This ensures transparency and helps readers identify potential biases. Disclosed interests may include:

  1. Research Grants and Support: Authors must mention any research grants or other support received from organizations with a financial interest in the publication.
  2. Employment and Affiliations: Authors must disclose current, past, or expected employment that might financially impact the publication, including dual affiliations.
  3. Other Financial and Non-Financial Interests: These include ownership stakes in companies, patents, and non-financial interests like positions on editorial boards, mentorship relationships, or roles as expert witnesses that could bias the outcomes.

Post-Publication Discussion

Articles may be removed from our online platform under certain conditions:

  1. If content infringes legal rights, such as defamation or intellectual property rights violations.
  2. If there is a court order or government directive requiring removal.
  3. If published content poses a serious and urgent health risk. Removals may be temporary or permanent, with bibliographic metadata retained and an explanation provided.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers must:

  1. Maintain confidentiality of all information in the paper and treat it as privileged information.
  2. Ensure the review process is objective and free from personal criticism.
  3. Clearly express opinions with strong supporting arguments.
  4. Identify and recommend relevant work not cited by the authors.
  5. Report substantial similarities with other works to the Editor-in-Chief.
  6. Avoid assessing manuscripts if there is a conflict of interest.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors must:

  1. Have full authority to reject or accept articles.
  2. Be responsible for the content and overall quality of the publication.
  3. Continuously consider the needs of authors and readers to improve publication quality.
  4. Ensure the quality of papers and the integrity of the academic record.
  5. Base editorial decisions on significance, originality, clarity, and relevance.
  6. Not reverse previous decisions without valid reasons, except in cases of ethical breaches.
  7. Maintain confidentiality of reviewer information.
  8. Ensure all publications meet internationally recognized ethical guidelines.
  9. Accept manuscripts that meet the journal's standards.
  10. Act promptly if errors or suspicions of violations are detected.
  11. Ensure no conflict of interest between staff, authors, reviewers, and the board.