Emirati Journal of Business, Economics, & Social Studies

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Publication Ethics and Editorial Policies

Emirati Journal of Business, Economics, & Social Studies (EJBESS)

Emirati Journal of Business, Economics, & Social Studies (EJBESS) is a multidisciplinary, open-access journal dedicated to advancing high-quality, transparent and reproducible research in the fields of business, economics, and social sciences.

EJBESS is a platform for innovative, evidence-based scholarship and aims to foster an inclusive, global dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers. By embracing open science principles, the journal seeks to promote the broad dissemination of knowledge and the democratization of access to scholarly information.

Our Ethical Commitment

EJBESS maintains the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. All our editorial practices are based on the Principles of Transparency & Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, developed jointly by:

  • DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
  • COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics)
  • OASPA (Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association)

Full principles available here: https://doaj.org/apply/transparency/

These internationally recognized standards inform every stage of our editorial process:

  • Manuscript selection and evaluation
  • Peer review and editorial decisions
  • Research integrity and ethical compliance
  • Data sharing and open science practices
  • Long-term digital preservation and discoverability
  • Communication and transparency with stakeholders

Our Mission and Scope

EJBESS is committed to:

  • Promoting innovative, interdisciplinary research that addresses emerging challenges in business, economics, and society
  • Supporting both established scholars and early-career researchers worldwide
  • Fostering inclusive authorship by embracing contributions from a variety of geographic, institutional, and cultural backgrounds
  • Ensuring all content remains freely available under an open-access model supported by transparent publishing practices

By following the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and open-access policies, EJBESS ensures that research is easy to discover and can be reused by academic and professional communities.

Commitment to Best Practices

To guarantee rigorous, ethical, and transparent publishing, EJBESS:

  • Adopts a double-blind peer review model ensuring fairness and impartiality
  • Adheres to COPE guidelines in handling allegations of misconduct, conflicts of interest, and authorship disputes
  • Integrates Crossref DOIs and ORCID identifiers to ensure persistent attribution and traceability
  • Complies with data protection frameworks, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): https://gdpr.eu/
  • Aligns with international indexing requirements to ensure content is archived, discoverable, and preserved over the long term

Why Transparency Matters

By embedding transparency and ethical standards into our policies, EJBESS ensures:

  • Credibility with Authors, Readers, and Stakeholders
  • Trustworthiness of published research
  • Compliance with the requirements of primary indexing services, including DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science, and OpenAIRE

These principles are not simply formal guidelines. They represent our commitment to advancing scholarly excellence, maintaining the integrity of the scientific record, and supporting a culture of open knowledge.

Key External Resources

1) Scientific Integrity: Handling Alleged Misconduct

EJBESS is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity and maintaining the trustworthiness of the scholarly record. Any form of research misconduct - including but not limited to plagiarism, data fabrication or falsification, image manipulation, duplicate submissions, unethical authorship practices, or inappropriate citation behaviors - is taken very seriously and addressed through structured procedures aligned with COPE’s international guidelines.

a) Types of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Plagiarism: copying or paraphrasing another’s work without appropriate attribution.
  • Data Fabrication or Falsification: creating or altering research results, datasets, or findings.
  • Image Manipulation: altering figures or visuals in a way that misrepresents results.
  • Duplicate or Redundant Submission: submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously.
  • Unethical authorship: listing contributors who did not meet authorship criteria or excluding deserving Authors.
  • Inappropriate Citation Practices: coercive citation, citation padding, or excessive self-citation without relevance.

b) Reporting and Notification

Allegations of misconduct may be raised by:

  • Editors or members of the Editorial Board;
  • Peer Reviewers;
  • Readers or institutional representatives;
  • Whistleblowers (confidentiality strictly maintained).

Complaints can be submitted via the official EJBESS Ethics Portal or directly to the Editor-in-Chief.

c) Investigation Procedure

EJBESS follows a rigorous, transparent process based on COPE flowcharts: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts

Step 1 - Preliminary Assessment

  • Conducted by the Editor-in-Chief in collaboration with the Ethics Committee.
  • Initial review determines if the complaint is valid and within the journal’s scope.

Step 2 - Formal Investigation

  • Use similarity detection tools (e.g., Crossref Similarity Check) and image forensics.
  • Request for supporting documents from Authors (e.g., raw data, IRB approvals).
  • Consultation with the Authors’ affiliated institutions, if required.

Step 3 - Author Response

  • Authors are invited to provide explanations or clarifications at every stage.
  • Responses are considered objectively before final decisions are made.

Step 4 - Decision and Corrective Action

Possible outcomes include:

  • Correction/Erratum: for honest mistakes affecting minor sections.
  • Expression of Concern: published when investigations remain unresolved.
  • Retraction: in confirmed cases of severe misconduct, following COPE Retraction Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines
  • Rejection or Withdrawal: for manuscripts under review or pending publication.

d) Post-Publication Integrity

EJBESS proactively monitors published content and may take action after publication if evidence of misconduct arises. Actions include:

  • Issuing linked corrigenda or retractions;
  • Informing indexing databases (e.g., DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science);
  • Notifying relevant academic institutions.

e) Responsibilities of Key Stakeholders

  • Authors: must ensure originality, accurate reporting, and proper citation;
  • Reviewers: must flag suspected misconduct during peer review;
  • Editors: must handle allegations promptly, transparently, and without bias;
  • Institutions: may be contacted to support investigations where necessary.

f) Commitment to Transparency

  • Follows COPE principles in all investigations;
  • Ensures confidentiality of involved parties;
  • Documents every step of the process;
  • Communicates outcomes clearly and publicly where appropriate.

External Resources

2) Editorial Climate: Respect, Inclusion and Responsibility

EJBESS fosters an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative editorial environment where all participants - Authors, Reviewers, Editors and Readers - are treated with fairness, dignity, and professionalism. We believe that the free exchange of knowledge flourishes in an atmosphere where diverse voices are appreciated, constructive dialogue is promoted, and editorial decisions are made impartially.

a) Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

EJBESS promotes equal opportunities for Authors, Reviewers, and Editors, regardless of:

  • ethnicity, nationality, or geographic origin;
  • gender or gender identity;
  • sexual orientation;
  • religious or political beliefs;
  • disability status;
  • institutional or career background.

In line with our open-access mission, we actively seek contributions from diverse academic communities and encourage submissions from early-career Researchers and Scholars in underrepresented regions.

b) Zero Tolerance for Discrimination and Harassment

EJBESS does not tolerate:

  • discriminatory statements or practices;
  • defamatory, offensive or denigratory language;
  • content promoting hatred, violence, exploitation or exclusion of any group;
  • harassment or intimidation of any person involved in the editorial process.

Complaints about inappropriate conduct are handled confidentially by the Editor-in-Chief and, if necessary, escalated to the Ethics Committee, following COPE guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Guidelines

c) Professional Conduct and Constructive Communication

All participants in the editorial process are expected to:

  • maintain professionalism in all interactions;
  • provide respectful, constructive, and evidence-based feedback;
  • avoid personal attacks, biased criticism, or dismissive language;
  • communicate transparently with Editors and Reviewers.

Editors moderate all communications between Authors and Reviewers to ensure mutual respect and prevent conflicts.

d) Editorial Independence and Impartiality

  • Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope;
  • Political, institutional, or financial affiliations do not influence the review or acceptance of manuscripts;
  • Editors and Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if impartiality cannot be maintained.

e) Creating an Inclusive Scholarly Community

  • Interdisciplinary collaboration across diverse fields and regions;
  • Cross-cultural perspectives in research and policy discussions;
  • Initiatives that promote global involvement in open-access publishing.

f) Handling Violations

  • Request corrections or modifications to submitted content;
  • Mediate disputes between Authors, Reviewers, or Editors;
  • In severe cases, remove or reject manuscripts and notify relevant institutions.

External References

3) Authorship and Responsibilities

EJBESS adopts an inclusive, transparent, and multidisciplinary approach to authorship, ensuring fair attribution, clear contributions, and shared accountability across all published works. To achieve this, the journal combines three internationally recognized frameworks:

  • CRediT Taxonomy (NISO): for structured contributor roles in multidisciplinary research;
  • COPE Guidelines: for ethical management of disputes and misconduct;
  • ICMJE Recommendations: as a globally recognized reference for defining substantial scholarly contributions.

a) Criteria for authorship

An individual qualifies as an Author if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • substantial contribution: participation in conceptualization, methodology, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation;
  • manuscript preparation: drafting significant manuscript sections or providing critical intellectual input during revisions;
  • final approval: reviewing and approving the final version of the manuscript before submission;
  • accountability: accepting public responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the work.

If an individual does not meet all four criteria, they must not be listed as an Author but should be acknowledged appropriately (see section c).

Reference:

b) Structured Contributor Roles (CRediT Taxonomy): primary Standard

EJBESS adopts the Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT) developed by NISO as the primary framework for declaring Authors’ contributions. Authors must specify their roles at submission using the following 14 standardized categories:

  • Conceptualization;
  • Methodology;
  • Data Curation;
  • Formal Analysis;
  • Investigation;
  • Resources;
  • Software;
  • Visualization;
  • Writing – Original Draft;
  • Writing – Review & Editing;
  • Validation;
  • Project Administration;
  • Supervision;
  • Funding Acquisition.

This structured model enhances transparency, prevents authorship conflicts, and guarantees fair acknowledgment of all contributors.

c) Contributor Acknowledgments

Individuals who contributed to the research but do not meet authorship criteria should be listed in a dedicated acknowledgments section. Before acknowledgment, contributors must provide written consent to be named.

d) The Role of the Corresponding Author

The corresponding Author acts as the primary liaison between the journal and co-Authors. Responsibilities include:

  • ensuring the originality and exclusivity of the manuscript;
  • securing written approval from all co-Authors before submission;
  • coordinating communications with the editorial office;
  • guaranteeing compliance with data availability and open science policies;
  • providing access to datasets, protocols, and supplementary materials upon request.

e) Group Authorship and Multi-Institutional Projects

  • For studies involving large collaborative groups, the group name may be listed as the Author;
  • Specific contributors must still be identified;
  • Individual roles should be detailed in a supplementary document when possible.

f) Managing Authorship Disputes (COPE-Compliant Approach)

EJBESS follows the COPE Guidelines on handling authorship disputes: https://publicationethics.org/resources/discussion-documents/handling-authorship-disputes

  • Disputes about authorship order, inclusion, or exclusion should be resolved within the Authors’ institutions whenever possible;
  • If disputes arise after submission, the Editor-in-Chief and the Ethics Committee may request formal explanations from all parties;
  • Unresolved cases may involve independent Reviewers or institutional representatives to ensure neutrality.

g) Responsibilities After Publication

  • Promptly report errors or inconsistencies to the editorial office;
  • Cooperate in investigations related to data accuracy, integrity issues, or ethical concerns;
  • Ensure compliance with EJBESS’s open data and Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 policies.

h) Prohibited Authorship Practices

  • Guest authorship: adding individuals without substantial contributions;
  • Gift authorship: including Authors for political, hierarchical, or institutional advantage;
  • Ghost authorship: omitting contributors who do meet authorship criteria.

Detected violations may result in manuscript rejection, post-publication retraction, or formal notification to Authors’ institutions and funding bodies.

External References

4) Generative AI Tools: Responsible Use and Transparency

EJBESS acknowledges the increasing importance of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Midjourney, Perplexity) in scholarly work. However, to maintain research integrity, protect intellectual property, and ensure full transparency, the journal adopts a strict policy on their responsible use.

a) AI Cannot be an Author

  • Generative AI tools cannot be credited as Authors because:
    • they cannot assume legal or ethical responsibility for the work;
    • they cannot manage conflicts of interest;
    • they cannot ensure accountability for accuracy or originality.
  • Only human contributors meeting authorship criteria may be listed as Authors (see Section 3).

Reference: COPE Position Statement on AI in authorship: https://publicationethics.org/resources/position-statements/ai-tools-and-authorship

b) Permitted Uses of Generative AI

EJBESS allows responsible use of generative AI only in support functions, including:

  • language editing: grammar, spelling, style refinement;
  • translation assistance: for improving readability across languages;
  • formatting: structuring references, citations, or tables;
  • summarization of public datasets or literature, provided sources are appropriately cited;
  • generating visual abstracts or graphical summaries, if validated by Authors.

Any such usage must be fully supervised and verified by human Authors.

c) Prohibited Uses of Generative AI

  • Generate or manipulate research data
    • AI cannot produce synthetic data, simulate experiments, or fabricate statistical results without explicit disclosure and editorial approval;
  • Alter images or figures
    • AI-based image enhancement or generation is forbidden unless transparently declared in the manuscript;
  • Conduct literature reviews autonomously
    • Authors are responsible for verifying sources, accuracy, and citations;
  • Draft substantial sections of the manuscript without human validation
    • Full paragraphs or analyses generated by AI must be carefully verified to avoid plagiarism, hallucinated citations, or inaccurate claims.

Violations may result in rejection, retraction, and potential notification of Authors’ institutions.

d) Mandatory Disclosure Requirements

  • Authors must include an AI Use Disclosure Statement in both the cover letter and the manuscript, specifying:
    • the tool name and developer (e.g., ChatGPT by OpenAI, Gemini by Google);
    • the version used;
    • the specific purpose (e.g., “used ChatGPT v4 for English grammar improvement”);
    • confirmation that all outputs were verified and corrected by human Authors.

e) Retention of Prompts and Logs

  • Retain all prompts, instructions, and interaction logs used with generative AI;
  • Provide these to the editorial office or peer reviewers upon request;
  • If used, document any AI-generated graphs, images, or outputs in supplementary materials.

f) Accountability and Copyright Compliance

  • Authors remain fully responsible for:
    • the accuracy of the content;
    • the originality of the manuscript;
    • ensuring no copyright-infringing material is included;
  • Authors must guarantee that all citations are authentic and that AI outputs are verified against original sources;
  • EJBESS applies Crossref Similarity Check: https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/

g) Editorial Oversight

  • Request AI usage disclosures at any time;
  • Reject manuscripts where AI usage has not been transparently reported;
  • Employ AI-detection tools if there are concerns about originality;
  • Involve the Ethics Committee in cases of suspected misconduct.

h) Alignment with International Standards

i) Consequences of Non-Compliance

  • Immediate rejection during submission;
  • Retraction of published articles;
  • Notification of the Authors’ institutions and funding bodies;
  • Reporting to relevant indexing and ethical bodies when necessary.

External References

5) Submission Integrity and Author Identity

EJBESS commits to ensuring the integrity, transparency, and security of the submission and editorial process. To maintain trust in scholarly publishing, all submissions must be made directly by the Authors or by an authorized representative with documented consent.

a) Prohibited Practices

  • Using third-party credentials: submissions must be made through the Author’s verified personal account. Credentials belonging to colleagues, institutions, or unauthorized agents are prohibited;
  • Submitting on behalf of others without proper authorization: assistants, students, or external agencies can only submit when the respective author provides written approval. Without it, the submission is invalid;
  • Impersonating Authors, Reviewers, or Editors: any attempt to impersonate someone else during submission, peer review, or editorial communication is considered serious misconduct.

b) Editorial Rights and Verification Procedures

To safeguard the integrity of the editorial process, the EJBESS editorial office reserves the right to:

  • Request identity verification from submitting Authors or corresponding Authors;
  • Require an institutional e-mail address where possible, especially for corresponding Authors;
  • Request institutional endorsement letters in cases of doubt;
  • Reject submissions when identity cannot be verified.

These procedures are aligned with COPE best practices on authorship verification: https://publicationethics.org/resources/guidelines

c) Handling Third-Party Submission Services

EJBESS does not endorse or work with unauthorized third-party submission agencies or so-called “manuscript brokers.” Submissions originating from predatory or fraudulent agencies will be rejected immediately.

d) Consequences of Misconduct

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript;
  • Notification of co-Authors and affiliated institutions;
  • Temporary or permanent bans on future submissions;
  • Reporting the case to relevant databases and indexing services if warranted.

e) Commitment to Author Protection

  • Unauthorized use of their names or affiliations;
  • Fraudulent submissions under their identity;
  • Manipulation of authorship by external agents.

External Reference

6) Exclusivity of Submission and Content Reuse

EJBESS is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of scholarly publishing and ensuring that all submissions are original, exclusive contributions. The following policies protect authors, readers, and the integrity of the scientific record.

a) Exclusivity of Submission

  • Manuscripts submitted to EJBESS must not be under consideration or peer review at any other journal simultaneously;
  • Submitting the same manuscript to multiple journals (parallel submission) is considered unethical and can lead to:
    • Automatic rejection of the manuscript;
    • Notification of the Author’s institution;
    • Temporary bans on future submissions;
  • Authors must confirm at the time of submission that the work is not under review elsewhere by including an exclusivity statement in the cover letter.

b) Content Reuse and Extended Conference Papers

  • Extended versions of conference papers are only accepted if:
    • Disclosed in the cover letter;
    • The new manuscript contains at least 40% additional content compared to the original;
    • New findings, analyses, or expanded discussions are provided;
    • The original source is appropriately cited both in the text and references.

c) Preprints and Public Repositories

  • EJBESS supports open science practices and welcomes submissions of manuscripts that have been:
    • Posted on preprint servers (e.g., SSRN, ResearchGate, OSF);
    • Shared in institutional repositories;
    • Deposited in data-sharing platforms.
  • However:
    • Authors must disclose any preprints in the cover letter;
    • The preprint must be clearly cited in the manuscript;
    • The submitted version should provide added value, such as peer-reviewed analysis, updated datasets, or improved methodology;

d) Duplicate and Redundant Publications

  • Submitting or publishing the same research findings in multiple journals without full disclosure is considered redundant publication and constitutes serious misconduct;
  • Acceptable exceptions include:
    • Translations of previously published work (with appropriate permission and citation);
    • Republication in accordance with open-access mandates when allowed by copyright agreements.
  • In such cases, Authors must:
    • Obtain written authorization from the original publisher;
    • Ensure the work includes a clear statement about the prior publication.

e) Self-Plagiarism and Overlap Thresholds

  • EJBESS uses Crossref Similarity Check: https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/
  • Acceptable similarity thresholds:
    • ≤20% overall similarity index (excluding references);
    • ≤5% overlap with a single source.
  • Higher overlap may trigger:
    • Requests for manuscript revision,
    • Or rejection if originality cannot be established.

f) Transparency in the Cover Letter

  • Authors must explicitly disclose in the cover letter if:
    • Any part of the manuscript has been previously presented, published, or archived;
    • Datasets or figures have appeared in earlier works;
    • Results overlap with any existing publication.
  • Failure to disclose related publications may lead to rejection or post-publication retraction.

g) Consequences of Non-Compliance

  • Rejection of the submission;
  • Retraction of the article if already published;
  • Notification of the Author’s institution or funders;
  • Temporary bans from submitting future manuscripts.

External References

7) Accuracy of Results and Quality Assurance

EJBESS is dedicated to preserving the scientific record’s integrity, accuracy, and reliability. Authors are responsible for reporting their findings honestly, transparently, and reproducibly, while the editorial office enforces strict quality assurance procedures before and after publication.

a) Authors’ Responsibilities

  • Ensure that all data, analyses, and conclusions are presented accurately and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate manipulation;
  • Perform an internal quality check before submission, including:
    • Verification of datasets;
    • Cross-checking of tables, figures, and supplementary files;
    • Reviewing references for accuracy and consistency;
  • Retain original raw data, processed datasets, and research protocols for at least five years after publication and provide them upon editorial or peer-review request.

b) Data Transparency and Reproducibility

  • Deposit raw datasets, statistical code, and analytical protocols in trusted public repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Figshare, OSF);
  • Provide a Data Availability Statement in the manuscript specifying:
    • Where the data is accessible;
    • Whether any restrictions apply (e.g., GDPR, confidentiality, proprietary agreements);
    • Alternative methods to verify results when datasets can’t be shared.

c) Journal Quality Assurance Process

  • Similarity screening: via Crossref Similarity Check to detect plagiarism: https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/
  • Statistical review: where appropriate, expert Reviewers validate data analyses and models;
  • Figure and table validation: ensuring consistency with reported results;
  • Metadata accuracy: confirming DOIs, funding statements, ORCID IDs, and affiliations.

d) Post-Publication Responsibilities

  • If errors are discovered, Authors must immediately notify the editorial office;
  • Depending on the nature of the error, actions may include:
    • Errata: for minor typographical mistakes or clarifications;
    • Corrigenda: for substantive corrections affecting interpretations but not overall conclusions;
    • Retractions: for serious errors invalidating findings, following COPE Retraction Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines
  • In suspected manipulation or misconduct cases, the editorial board might request institutional investigations.

e) Editors’ and Reviewers’ Roles

  • Evaluate whether the data presentation is clear, complete, and reproducible;
  • Request access to raw data if doubts arise during peer review;
  • Verify that statistical methods and models are appropriate;
  • Recommend improvements to enhance transparency and rigor.

f) Encouraged Best Practices

External Resources

8) Reporting Guidelines and Reproducibility

EJBESS encourages Authors to adopt internationally recognized reporting guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility:

Methods, protocols, and analyses must be described sufficiently to allow independent replication.

9) Figures, Images, and Graphical Integrity

EJBESS is committed to maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and transparency of all visual materials, including figures, images, graphs, tables, and diagrams. Visual representations must faithfully reflect the data, comply with ethical and legal standards, and support the scientific integrity of the publication.

a) Acceptable Image Adjustments

Authors may make minor adjustments to improve readability, but only if they do not alter the interpretation of results, they are applied uniformly across the entire image, and they are fully disclosed in the manuscript or figure legend.

b) Prohibited Practices

  • Undisclosed Image Manipulation: adding, removing, or enhancing elements in figures without explicit disclosure; selective presentation of data to favor specific conclusions; combining parts of different images without proper labeling.
  • Misleading Graphical Representations: altering axes, scales, or proportions to exaggerate findings; using inappropriate chart types that distort interpretations; presenting incomplete or partial datasets without disclosure.
  • Use of Copyrighted Materials without Permission: reproducing images, diagrams, or photographs from other publications without obtaining explicit written permission, providing proper attribution, and ensuring compatibility with the Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0) adopted by EJBESS.

c) Scientific and Ethical Standards

  • All figures must be directly relevant to the study’s objectives and results;
  • Authors must provide high-resolution images to maintain data integrity;
  • Manipulated or composite figures must include clear labels (e.g., “combined image”), detailed descriptions in figure legends, and explanations of methods used.

d) Submission Requirements

  • Provide original, unprocessed files upon request (e.g., TIFF, PNG, JPEG);
  • Ensure all photos are correctly labeled and captioned;
  • Clearly indicate any reused materials and attach supporting permissions if needed;
  • Avoid embedding figures within Word documents when possible; instead, upload separate, high-quality files.

e) Editorial and Peer Review Checks

  • Technical validation: check resolution, format, and labeling;
  • Content accuracy: Reviewers confirm consistency between visuals and reported results;
  • Ethical compliance: verify permissions for copyrighted materials; detect potential image manipulation using forensic tools when necessary;
  • Reproducibility checks: ensure that figures accurately match datasets and statistical outputs.

f) Post-Publication Corrections

If concerns arise after publication, the editorial office may request original source files for verification. Confirmed cases of inappropriate manipulation or copyright violation may lead to:

g) Best Practices for Authors

External References

11) Ethical Oversight and International Standards

EJBESS is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in research involving human participants, including studies based on interviews, surveys, focus groups, case studies, or any form of personally identifiable information.

a) Ethical Approval

  • Authors must obtain approval from a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB), Research Ethics Committee (REC), or equivalent bodies before conducting research, when required by national or institutional regulations. Avoid sharing any identifiable information (names, images, locations) unless explicit consent is obtained;
  • If ethical approval is not required (e.g., anonymized datasets, publicly available secondary data, or low-risk behavioral studies), authors must provide a clear justification for the exemption.

b) Adherence to International Ethical Frameworks

c) Informed Consent

  • For studies involving personally identifiable data (e.g., interviews, company case studies), authors must obtain written informed consent from participants;
  • The consent process must explain the purpose of the research, how data will be used, stored, and shared, and any associated risks;
  • Authors must retain consent documentation and make it available to the journal upon request.

d) Research Involving Vulnerable Populations

  • Special care must be taken when conducting studies with vulnerable populations, such as minors, employees dependent on employers, individuals in precarious economic conditions, or groups at risk of exploitation;
  • Authors must ensure appropriate legal authorizations (e.g., parental or institutional consent) and demonstrate that measures were taken to protect participants’ dignity, autonomy, and well-being.

e) Transparency in Ethical Statements

  • Each manuscript involving human participants must include an ethical statement clearly indicating:
    • The name of the approving IRB/REC and approval number (if applicable);
    • Whether informed consent was obtained;
    • Any conditions under which approval was not required, with explicit justification.

12) Funding and Conflicts of Interest

EJBESS is committed to ensuring full transparency regarding funding sources and potential conflicts of interest. Authors, Reviewers, and Editors must clearly disclose any financial or non-financial factors that could influence the interpretation, analysis, or reporting of research results.

a) Funding Disclosure

  • For every manuscript, Authors must provide a complete funding statement that includes:
    • All funding sources supporting the research, including grants, sponsorships, and institutional funds;
    • The grant number(s) and official names of funders;
    • A clear description of the funder’s role in the research. This must be explicitly stated if the funder had no involvement in any stage.
  • For studies without external funding, Authors must include the statement:
    “The Authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.”

b) Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest (COI) exists when financial, personal, institutional, or professional relationships could inappropriately influence—or be perceived to influence—the content or conclusions of the manuscript. Authors must declare all relevant conflicts, including but not limited to:

  • Financial conflicts: research grants, consulting fees, honoraria, stock ownership, employment, or royalties;
  • Institutional conflicts: affiliation with organizations that could benefit from study outcomes;
  • Personal relationships: involvement with individuals, companies, or entities linked to the study;
  • Non-financial conflicts: ideological, political, or academic interests affecting impartiality;

If no conflicts exist, Authors must state explicitly:
“The Authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.”
COPE guidelines on conflicts of interest: https://publicationethics.org/competinginterests

c) Editorial and Reviewer Conflicts

  • Editors handling a manuscript must recuse themselves if they have any conflict with the Authors or the content;
  • Reviewers must disclose potential conflicts before accepting an assignment and decline the review if impartiality cannot be ensured;
  • Following COPE guidance, any undeclared COI discovered post-publication will trigger an editorial investigation and may result in corrections or retractions.

Key External Resource:
COPE Guidelines on Competing Interests: https://publicationethics.org/competinginterests

13) Originality, Responsible Citation, and Misconduct

EJBESS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of research integrity and only publishes original, previously unpublished work that significantly contributes to business, economics, and social sciences.

a) Originality of Submissions

  • Submissions must be entirely original and not published elsewhere in any form (journal article, book chapter, conference proceedings, or preprint without proper disclosure);
  • Any overlap with prior work (including the Authors’ own) must be explicitly declared and appropriately cited;
  • Manuscripts similar to prior publications require clear justification for novelty and added value.

b) Prohibited Practices

EJBESS has a zero-tolerance policy on research misconduct, including but not limited to:

  • Plagiarism: using another Author’s work, ideas, data, or text without proper attribution, including direct copying, paraphrasing, or summarizing without clear citation;
  • Self-Plagiarism / Redundant Publication: republishing one’s own work or large sections of previously published text without disclosure; acceptable only if explicitly justified (e.g., methodology reuse) and accompanied by precise citations;
  • Salami Slicing: artificially fragmenting research findings into multiple small publications to inflate output; manuscripts must be substantially distinct in objectives, methodology, and results;
  • Image and Data Manipulation: altering figures, graphs, or datasets to misrepresent results; permitted adjustments (e.g., contrast, brightness) must not distort interpretation;
  • Excessive Self-Citation: self-citations should be scientifically justified, not used to increase citation metrics or h-index artificially; Editors may request revisions if citation patterns are inappropriate.

c) Responsible Citation Practices

  • Citations must be relevant, accurate, and verifiable;
  • Authors should avoid citation padding (adding irrelevant sources) and citation cartels (mutual citation agreements);
  • Bibliographies must follow the Vancouver citation style unless otherwise specified;
  • Authors are expected to provide multiple independent references if a claim relies heavily on previous studies.

d) Similarity Checks and Screening Tools

  • All submissions undergo plagiarism detection using Crossref Similarity Check: https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/;
  • Manuscripts exceeding 20% overall similarity or 5% in a single source (excluding references and standard phrases) are flagged for review;
  • Authors may be contacted to provide explanations or revise problematic sections;
  • Submissions with confirmed plagiarism or redundant publication are rejected outright.

e) Handling Suspected Misconduct

  • The Editor-in-Chief and the Ethics Committee initiate an investigation following COPE guidelines;
  • Authors are contacted and allowed to provide an explanation;
  • Depending on severity, actions may include:
    • Minor revisions (e.g., citation corrections);
    • Errata or expressions of concern;
    • Article withdrawal (pre-publication);
    • Formal retraction (post-publication).
  • Serious or repeated violations may result in:
    • Reporting to the Author’s institution;
    • Temporary or permanent bans on future submissions.

External Resources

14) Peer Review: Model, Standards, and Transparency

EJBESS adopts a double-blind peer review process to ensure fairness, rigor, and transparency in evaluating all submitted manuscripts. The identities of Authors and Reviewers remain strictly confidential throughout the process to avoid bias and guarantee impartiality.

a) Peer Review Model

  • Double-blind Review: both Authors and Reviewers remain anonymous to minimize potential bias;
  • Number of Reviewers: at least two independent expert Reviewers evaluate each manuscript. A third Reviewer may be assigned if reports conflict;
  • Editorial Oversight: Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editors oversee the review process, adhering to COPE standards: https://publicationethics.org/peerreview

b) Selection of Reviewers

  • Reviewers are selected based on:
    • Subject expertise relevant to the manuscript;
    • Absence of conflicts of interest;
    • Demonstrated record of scholarly contributions in the field.
  • When appropriate, Reviewers from different geographic regions are invited to ensure diversity of perspectives.

c) Evaluation Criteria

  • Methodological Rigor: soundness of research design and methodology; appropriateness of data collection and analysis techniques;
  • Data Integrity: transparency and reliability of datasets and results; adherence to reporting guidelines (CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE, EQUATOR);
  • Relevance and Originality: contribution to advancing knowledge; novelty of hypotheses, frameworks, or applications;
  • Clarity and Coherence: logical structure, writing quality, adequacy of references, alignment with EJBESS’s aims and scope;
  • Ethical Compliance: proper treatment of human data, informed consent, and adherence to GDPR and other relevant regulations.

d) Timelines and Process Transparency

  • Initial Screening: editorial team checks submissions for scope, formatting, and ethical compliance;
  • Peer Review Phase: Reviewers provide feedback within 3–5 weeks of assignment;
  • Revision Process: Authors receive consolidated reports with decision options:
    • Accept
    • Minor revision
    • Major revision
    • Reject
  • Appeals: Authors may formally appeal editorial decisions, following the Complaints & Appeals Policy (Section 18).

e) Reviewer Responsibilities

  • Maintain Confidentiality: Manuscripts and data must not be shared or discussed without permission;
  • Declare Conflicts of Interest: Financial, institutional, or personal conflicts must be disclosed;
  • Provide Constructive Feedback: Reviews should be objective, respectful, and improve manuscript quality;
  • Avoid AI-Generated Reports: AI may enhance clarity but not replace independent judgment;
  • Co-Review with Junior Researchers: Allowed only when declared and contributions acknowledged.

f) Editorial Responsibilities

  • Assign manuscripts to Reviewers with appropriate expertise;
  • Meditate in cases of Reviewer disagreement;
  • Monitor timelines and enforce review quality;
  • Safeguard anonymity of Reviewers and Authors;
  • Handle alleged misconduct per COPE Peer Review Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/peerreview

g) Transparency for Authors

  • Authors receive complete Reviewers reports and editorial decisions;
  • Authors are encouraged to address Reviewer comments thoroughly and respectfully;
  • Major revisions may be re-reviewed to confirm required changes are addressed.

h) Benefits of This Policy

  • Guarantees rigor and fairness;
  • Promotes global standards of peer review integrity;
  • Builds trust among Authors, Reviewers, and readers;
  • Demonstrates compliance with DOAJ and COPE transparency principles.

Key External Resources

15) Data Sharing and Accessibility

EJBESS is committed to promoting open science and research transparency by encouraging Authors to make their underlying data, materials, and protocols available whenever possible. The Journal requires that each manuscript include a Data Availability Statement to ensure replicability, reusability, and long-term accessibility.

a) Data Availability Statement (Mandatory)

  • All submitted manuscripts must include a dedicated section – “Data Availability Statement” – at the end of the article specifying:
    • Where the data can be accessed: Provide a direct link to the dataset in a trusted public repository (e.g., Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, OSF). Preferably, datasets should include a DOI or another persistent identifier (PID).
    • How the data can be accessed: Indicate if data are openly available, available upon request, or restricted.
    • Why access might be restricted: If sharing is impossible, Authors must explain why (e.g., privacy, confidentiality agreements, legal restrictions, proprietary data).
  • Example: “The datasets generated and analyzed during this study are available in the Zenodo repository: https://doi.org/xxxx. Restrictions apply to sensitive interview data; anonymized excerpts are available upon reasonable request.”

b) FAIR Data Principles

  • EJBESS aligns with the FAIR principles: https://www.go-fair.org/fair-principles/
  • Findable: datasets must include accurate metadata and persistent identifiers (DOIs);
  • Accessible: data should be hosted in repositories that provide stable, open access;
  • Interoperable: file formats and metadata should follow recognized standards;
  • Reusable: datasets should include sufficient documentation to enable replication and further analysis.

c) Access Restrictions and Justifications

  • Full data sharing may not be possible due to:
    • Privacy and GDPR: https://gdpr.eu/
    • Confidentiality agreements with companies or institutions;
    • Legal or proprietary restrictions;
    • Involvement of vulnerable populations.
  • In such cases, Authors must:
    • Provide anonymized datasets where feasible;
    • Explicitly state why data cannot be fully shared;
    • Indicate alternative ways to verify results (e.g., codebooks, partial data).

d) Editorial and Reviewer Access

  • Editors and Reviewers may request access to underlying datasets, protocols, or supplementary materials during manuscript evaluation;
  • Failure to provide data without valid justification may result in:
    • Manuscript rejection;
    • Publication delays;
    • Or, in severe cases, post-publication retraction.

e) Benefits of Data Sharing

  • Promotes replicability, transparency, and long-term accessibility;
  • Encourages reuse of data and materials for new research;
  • Aligns with international standards and FAIR principles.

External Resources

16) Digital Preservation, Metadata, and Persistent Identifiers

EJBESS is committed to ensuring the long-term accessibility, integrity, and discoverability of all published content through robust digital preservation strategies and standardized metadata practices.

a) Digital Preservation Policy

  • EJBESS implements multiple redundant preservation mechanisms to guarantee accessibility over time:
  • Primary Archiving: CLOCKSS (Controlled Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe): https://clockss.org/
  • Local Backups: Regular secure backups of the journal’s full content and metadata on institutional servers to ensure continuity in case of infrastructure disruptions.

b) Persistent Identifiers (PIDs)

  • To enhance findability and ensure citation stability, EJBESS assigns persistent identifiers to all scholarly objects:
  • Digital Object Identifier (DOI): Each article receives a unique DOI registered via Crossref: https://www.crossref.org/
  • ORCID IDs for Authors: Strongly encouraged for accurate identification and discoverability: https://orcid.org/
  • ROR IDs for Institutions (optional): Standardize institutional metadata: https://ror.org/

c) Metadata Standards

  • Compliance with international metadata standards to improve indexing, interoperability, and discoverability:
  • Metadata includes: title, abstract, keywords; Authors’ names and ORCID IDs; institutional affiliations; funding information; references and citations.
  • Formatted using recognized standards:
  • Metadata is openly available via OAI-PMH for integration into repositories, aggregators, and search engines.

d) Open Access Licensing

  • Authors may choose between two Creative Commons licenses:
  • CC BY 4.0: Allows sharing, remixing, modification, and commercial use with attribution: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
  • CC BY-NC-ND 4.0: Allows sharing with attribution only; no commercial use or derivatives.
  • Any version of the article may be posted online; proper citation of the journal as the original source is required.

e) Compliance with Open Science and Indexing Requirements

  • Policies ensure articles remain permanently accessible, metadata is compatible with repositories like DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science, OpenAIRE, and Dimensions;
  • Alignment with FAIR principles: https://www.go-fair.org/fair-principles/

External Resources

17) Transparency on APCs and Support

EJBESS is fully committed to financial transparency in its publishing operations. The journal's website clearly states all information regarding Article Processing Charges (APCs), waiver policies, and institutional support, in accordance with DOAJ transparency principles.

a) Article Processing Charges (APCs)

  • EJBESS operates as an open-access journal, ensuring that all published content is freely available worldwide.
  • Authors are offered a free publishing option which includes editorial processing, peer review coordination, digital preservation, metadata indexing, and DOI registration.
  • For further options, visit the Open Access Directory: https://www.emiratesscholar.com/open-access-directory/

c) Institutional Sponsorship and Funding

  • Complete transparency about operational funding and institutional support is provided:
  • Sources of financial sponsorship, including contributions from academic institutions, research networks, and funding bodies, are publicly disclosed.
  • Sponsorships are clearly separated from editorial decision-making to ensure editorial independence.
  • All financial partnerships are reported on the journal’s website.

d) Advertising and Commercial Influence

  • EJBESS maintains a strict firewall between editorial content and commercial activities:
  • Advertisements do not influence editorial decisions.
  • All advertisements must comply with the journal’s ethical policies and are approved by the editorial board.
  • EJBESS does not accept advertisements promoting predatory publishing, plagiarism services, or unverified financial products.

External References

18) Complaints, Appeals, and Dispute Resolution

Authors, Reviewers, and readers have the right to raise concerns or appeal editorial decisions in a structured, respectful, and documented manner. This policy aligns with COPE Core Practices: https://publicationethics.org/core-practices

a) Scope of Complaints and Appeals

  • Editorial Decisions: manuscript rejection, requests for major revisions, concerns about perceived bias or unfair assessment.
  • Peer Review Process: claims of unprofessional conduct, suspected Reviewers conflicts of interest, delays or procedural inconsistencies.
  • Ethical Concerns: allegations of plagiarism, misconduct, or data fabrication, inappropriate use of personal or sensitive information.
  • Other Disputes: authorship conflicts, duplicate submissions, disputes regarding corrections, errata, or retractions.

b) How to Submit a Complaint or Appeal

  • Submit a formal written request to the Editor-in-Chief via email or through the official EJBESS submission system.
  • Include manuscript ID and title.
  • Provide a clear description of the issue.
  • Attach supporting documents (e.g., review reports, email correspondence, IRB approvals if relevant).
  • Specify the outcome requested (e.g., reconsideration of the decision).

c) Review Process and Timelines

  • Initial Acknowledgment: The Editor-in-Chief confirms receipt within ten business days.
  • Ethics Committee Review: Appeals and complaints are evaluated within 30 calendar days.
  • Independent Assessment (if needed): An independent senior editor or external Reviewers may be appointed for complex disputes.
  • Final Decision: The decision, including a detailed explanation, is communicated in writing to the complainant.

d) Guarantees of Fairness and Confidentiality

  • All complaints are handled confidentially to protect privacy.
  • Neutrality is ensured by involving independent Reviewers or editorial board members when necessary.
  • Decisions are based on objective criteria, supported by documentation and evidence.

e) Escalation Procedure

  • If dissatisfied, the case may be escalated to an independent ombudsperson appointed by the Editorial Board.
  • For ethical misconduct, EJBESS may involve Authors’ institutions, funding bodies, or follow COPE’s mediation guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Guidelines

f) Outcomes and Possible Resolutions

  • Reconsider manuscript decisions.
  • Revise or replace assigned Reviewers.
  • Issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions.
  • Update internal procedures to prevent recurrence.

g) Protection from Retaliation

  • Raising a complaint or appeal will not prejudice future submissions.
  • Reviewers and Editors must refrain from any retaliatory actions.
  • Disputes are managed with professionalism and transparency at every stage.

External References

19) Version of Record: Corrections and Retractions

EJBESS is committed to maintaining the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the scholarly record. All necessary actions — including corrections, expressions of concern, and retractions — are handled according to the COPE Retraction Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines

a) Preservation of the Version of Record

  • Once an article is published, it is considered the Version of Record (VoR).
  • The VoR remains permanently available, citable, and discoverable.
  • Any post-publication changes—corrections, updates, or retractions—are documented transparently and linked to the original article via Crossref DOIs.

b) Types of Post-Publication Updates

  • Minor Corrections (Errata): For typographical or formatting errors, incorrect affiliations, metadata, or funding statements. Linked directly to the original article.
  • Substantive Corrections (Corrigenda): When errors affect methods, datasets, or analyses but conclusions remain valid. Peer-reviewed if interpretation is impacted.
  • Expressions of Concern: Issued when unresolved concerns exist about data integrity, ethical approval, or authorship. Alerts readers without premature retraction.
  • Retractions: Issued for unreliable findings (e.g., data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, serious methodological errors) or ethical misconduct. Notices remain accessible, clearly explain reasons, and are linked to original and corrected versions.

c) COPE-Compliant Retraction Process

  • Preliminary Assessment: Editor-in-Chief and Ethics Committee review concerns.
  • Author Notification: Authors informed and invited to provide clarifications.
  • Independent Review: External experts may assist if needed.
  • Final Decision: Correction, expression of concern, or retraction.
  • Transparency: Notices are timestamped and linked via persistent DOIs.

d) Author Responsibilities

  • Promptly notify the editorial office if errors are discovered post-publication.
  • Cooperate fully in investigations related to corrections or retractions.
  • Failure to engage transparently may lead to formal actions, including institutional notification.

e) Discoverability and Indexing

  • Updated records integrated into Crossref, DOAJ, Scopus, and other indexing platforms.
  • DOIs retained to preserve citability.
  • Metadata updated for accurate access by readers and repositories.

f) Data Integrity and Transparency

  • Deposit corrected datasets in trusted repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Figshare, OSF).
  • Update data availability statements when changes affect results.
  • Follow FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (https://www.go-fair.org/fair-principles/).

g) Commitment to Permanent Accessibility

  • All versions—original, corrected, or retracted—remain permanently accessible.
  • Digital preservation ensured through participation in CLOCKSS: https://clockss.org/

External References

20) Communication and Promotional Practices

EJBESS ensures clear, accurate, and responsible communication with Authors, Reviewers, readers, and institutional partners. All promotional activities, outreach campaigns, and editorial communications strictly comply with international ethical publishing standards and relevant data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): https://gdpr.eu/

a) Responsible Editorial Communication

  • All communication with Authors, Reviewers, and readers is professional, accurate, and respectful.
  • Editorial correspondence is sent only to relevant recipients.
  • Unsolicited bulk emails or spam invitations are strictly prohibited.
  • The journal does not use mass mailing lists without prior consent, promote unrealistic impact metrics, or send misleading submission invitations.

b) Transparency in Promotional Activities

  • All journal metrics, indexing statuses, and impact indicators are accurate, up-to-date, and independently verifiable.
  • Misleading claims about acceptance rates, fast-track options, or guaranteed indexing are strictly forbidden.
  • All marketing materials are reviewed and approved by the Editorial Board before publication.

c) No Preferential Treatment or Paid Fast-Track

  • Financial transactions never influence acceptance decisions.
  • No fast-track publication is offered in exchange for payment.
  • APCs, if applicable, are publicly disclosed in compliance with DOAJ transparency requirements.

d) Separation of Editorial and Sponsored Content

  • Editorial content: peer-reviewed, evidence-based, and independent.
  • Sponsored material: advertisements, institutional announcements, or third-party promotions.
  • Clear visual and textual distinction between editorial and sponsored content.
  • Full disclosure of funding sources or sponsorships related to specific articles.
  • Prior approval of sponsored materials by the Editor-in-Chief.

e) GDPR-Compliant Data Management

  • Consent-based communication: Authors and Reviewers must explicitly opt in to receive updates.
  • Data minimization: only essential data is collected and processed.
  • Data security: personal data is stored securely and never shared without explicit consent.
  • Right to withdraw: Authors and readers can unsubscribe or request data deletion anytime.

f) Engagement and Outreach

  • Responsible dissemination of published research through academic networks, conferences, and institutional partnerships.
  • Transparent use of social media and digital platforms to promote articles, calls for papers, special issues, and events.
  • Full compliance with copyright and licensing policies when sharing journal content under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

g) Misconduct in Promotional Practices

  • Violations include deceptive marketing practices, falsified metrics, unauthorized mass emails, and unapproved use of Author data.
  • Confirmed violations trigger review by the Ethics Committee, corrections or public clarifications, and possible suspension of third-party partnerships.

External References