The ethics of AJBIR
The Asian Journal of Business Innovation and Responsibility (AJBIR) upholds the highest standards of academic, professional, and ethical excellence in publishing. We are committed to integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of our publication process. Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to adhere to these standards, ensuring the quality and reliability of the work published in AJBIR.
1. Peer review process
All of AJBIR journal’s content, apart from any editorial material that is clearly marked as such, shall be subject to peer-review. Peer review involves soliciting feedback on individual manuscripts from qualified reviewers who are knowledgeable in the relevant field. Detailed information about this process and the related policies of the journal's peer review procedures is available on the journal's website. As such, every manuscript received by AJBIR undergoes an initial editorial review followed by a double-blind peer review. In a double-blind review, the identities of both the authors and reviewers remain concealed from each other. Peer review is essentially the critical assessment of scholarly work by other experts in the same field.
Reviewers for AJBIR are selected based on their expertise in relevant areas. Their invitation to. review is an acknowledgment of their proficiency, and their performance is assessed after each review. Those who demonstrate consistent and high-quality reviews may be considered for inclusion on the Editorial Review Board.
2. Authorship and contributorship
The attribution of authorship in a manuscript should be reserved for individuals who have meaningfully contributed to the research. Each person named as an author on a journal article must have played a significant role in the project, such as in formulating the research idea, designing the study, gathering data, or analyzing and interpreting the data. Being an author or co-author carries with it a share of responsibility and accountability for the article’s content.
AJBIR mandates that authors include a statement of contributorship in their manuscript, detailing each author's specific involvement in the research project. Typical contributions warranting authorship might include substantial input in the project's conception, design, the gathering of data, and the analysis and interpretation of the research findings.
In the case of AJBIR, typically one author is identified as the corresponding author. This individual handles communications with the journal, manages any revisions needed, and addresses inquiries from readers. It's important to note that the corresponding author may not always be the first author; any co-author can take on this responsibility.
3. Complaints and appeals
When a complaint is lodged with AJBIR's editorial team, its legitimacy and gravity are thoroughly evaluated. Simple matters might be resolved swiftly, but more intricate issues could require an in-depth investigation. During such investigations, AJBIR might engage with the relevant parties, scrutinize the manuscript and its review history, and possibly consult with subject matter experts or the editorial board for guidance. Following the investigation, appropriate measures are undertaken by AJBIR, which could include amendments to the manuscript, modifications in the review process, or the issuance of necessary corrections or apologies.
Should authors feel that their manuscript was rejected unjustly, they are entitled to file an appeal with the journal. This appeal should articulate a detailed rationale contesting the initial rejection. The editorial team, possibly in collaboration with the editorial board or external experts, will review the appeal to ensure the original decision's fairness and to check for any misjudgments or misunderstandings in the review process. Depending on this re-evaluation, AJBIR may either uphold the original decision, overturn it, or suggest additional revisions. The decision made after the appeal is typically considered final.
4.Plagiarism
Adhering to strict plagiarism policies is crucial for preserving the integrity of academic and scientific research. Plagiarism, which involves using another’s words, ideas, or work without appropriate credit or permission, is a serious offense. To detect instances of unoriginal content, AJBIR employs the Turnitin. Authors submitting papers to AJBIR should be aware that their work may undergo Turnitin checks at any stage of the peer-review or production process..
Allegations of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, are taken seriously and are subject to investigation by the journal's editor. Should such claims seem substantiated, the authors implicated will be asked to provide clarification regarding any content overlap. AJBIR maintains a threshold for acceptable similarity, accepting manuscripts with less than 15% plagiarism. Manuscripts exceeding this limit will be returned to the authors for necessary modifications to reduce the plagiarism. Failure to resubmit the revised manuscript with an acceptable level of similarity will result in the rejection of the manuscript by the journal.
5. Data sharing and reproducibility
AJBIR emphasizes the importance of accuracy and representation in research data. Authors are encouraged to submit any supplementary data along with their articles. Furthermore, AJBIR advocates for authors to provide comprehensive descriptions of their research methods and data collection procedures, aiding in the reproducibility of the study by other researchers. Reproducibility not only adds to the credibility of research findings but is also a cornerstone of academic integrity. Any instances of data fabrication or falsification will be scrutinized by the journal’s editor, with authors possibly being asked to supply supporting raw data. Editorial Board members may also be involved in examining the paper and related allegations. If the authors' responses to these inquiries are unsatisfactory, their submissions may be rejected, and future submissions could be barred.
6. Conflicts of interest
Honesty regarding any conflicts of interest is crucial for maintaining the integrity of research. AJBIR requires authors to disclose any potential conflicts, whether they are financial or other substantive issues that might impact the interpretation of their research findings. This includes acknowledging any financial support or other assistance. If conflicts of interest are not declared during submission or the review process and they potentially affect the results' interpretation, the manuscript may face rejection or retraction.
7. Ethic Approval
Authors are obliged to adhere to ethical guidelines for journal publication. This includes obtaining the necessary permissions for conducting research, particularly involving human or animal subjects, and ensuring that such research does not contravene any legal stipulations. Research involving humans must comply with the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki, and animal studies should align with relevant ethical guidelines. Consent must be obtained for all research involving human or animal subjects, following the approval of the research protocol by an ethics committee.
8. Declaration of generative AI in scientific writing
Authors who incorporate generative artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools in crafting their manuscripts should limit their use to enhancing language clarity and readability. It is crucial that these technologies are employed under human supervision and control. Authors must rigorously review and refine the outputs, as AI-generated content can sometimes be misleading, incomplete, or biased. It is important to note that AI and AI-assisted technologies do not qualify for authorship or co-authorship and should not be cited as such.
In the manuscripts, authors are required to declare the use of any AI and AI-assisted technologies during the writing phase. This declaration will be reflected in the published article. Please be reminded that authors bear full responsibility and accountability for the content of their published works.
9. Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections
AJBIR provides avenues for post-publication discourse, allowing researchers and readers to engage in discussions or address errors through commentaries, letters, or short communications. Errata and corrections are issued to rectify errors or omissions in published works. AJBIR supports the sharing of data and code, encourages post-publication peer reviews, and values community feedback for enhanced transparency and scholarly discourse. Concerns about the validity or ethical conduct of a study may lead to editorial expressions of concern or, in severe cases, retraction of articles containing fraudulent data or serious ethical violations. These practices uphold the integrity and reliability of scientific literature and foster transparent communication within the research community.