Decision-Making Process

Introduction

At the International Journal of Business, Management & Financial Insight (IJBMFI), the editorial decision-making process is grounded in academic rigor, fairness, and transparency. Each manuscript is assessed through a structured and ethical framework to ensure that only high-quality research aligned with the journal’s scope is published.

1. Initial Submission Screening

Preliminary Editorial Review
Upon submission, manuscripts undergo a preliminary review to verify:

  • Proper manuscript structure and formatting (title page, abstract, keywords, references).

  • Compliance with IJBMFI’s plagiarism threshold (strict limit of 10%, with 19% considered case-by-case per HEC policy).

  • Completion of all required author metadata, declarations, and acceptance of licensing terms.

Scope and Relevance Assessment
The Editor-in-Chief or designated editor evaluates the manuscript’s relevance to IJBMFI’s thematic focus in business, management, and financial insight. Submissions outside the journal’s scope may be rejected without peer review.

2. Peer Review Process

Reviewer Assignment
Manuscripts passing initial screening are sent for double-blind peer review. Two or more independent reviewers with relevant academic and subject expertise provide impartial evaluations.

Evaluation Criteria
Reviewers assess submissions based on:

  • Originality and contribution to the field

  • Theoretical and practical relevance

  • Clarity, coherence, and structure of the argument

  • Methodological rigor and data validity

  • Compliance with ethical research standards

  • Impact on business, management, or financial scholarship

Reviewer Recommendations
Review outcomes include:

  • Accept – Suitable for publication with minimal revisions

  • Minor Revisions – Small changes needed; no additional review required

  • Major Revisions – Substantive changes required; further review likely

  • Reject – Not suitable for publication due to conceptual, methodological, or scope-related concerns

3. Editorial Decision

Review Consolidation
The handling editor synthesizes all peer feedback. In cases of conflicting recommendations, a third reviewer or the editorial board may be consulted to reach a consensus.

Final Decision by Editor-in-Chief
The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision based on reviewer insights, manuscript quality, and alignment with IJBMFI’s editorial standards. Decision categories include:

  • Accept

  • Minor Revisions

  • Major Revisions

  • Reject

Revision and Resubmission Protocol

  • Minor Revisions: Authors typically have 2–4 weeks to revise; the editor assesses revisions without another peer review cycle.

  • Major Revisions: Authors are given 4–8 weeks to revise; substantial changes may require re-evaluation by original or new reviewers.

  • Resubmission After Rejection: Rejected manuscripts are generally not reconsidered. Substantially revised manuscripts may be submitted as new submissions if editorial feedback allows.

Communication of Decisions
Authors receive a formal decision letter detailing:

  • Summary of the decision

  • Reviewer comments and editor feedback

  • Specific revision instructions (if applicable)

  • Final formatting and licensing instructions for accepted manuscripts

Appeals Process
Authors may appeal decisions by submitting a written justification outlining concerns related to procedural fairness or misinterpretation. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, whose decision is final.

4. Post-Acceptance Procedures

Final Submission
Upon acceptance, authors submit the final, formatted manuscript in accordance with IJBMFI’s Author Guidelines and licensing requirements (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

Copyediting and Proof Approval
Manuscripts undergo professional copyediting for clarity, consistency, and language quality. Authors review proofs for final approval prior to publication.

Online Publication
Approved articles are published in the next scheduled IJBMFI issue and made accessible via the journal’s open-access platform.

5. Ethical Oversight

Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest affecting objectivity.

Research Ethics Compliance
Research involving human participants, financial data, or proprietary business information must comply with relevant institutional and international ethical standards. Unethical practices may result in rejection or investigation.

Data Transparency
IJBMFI promotes transparency in data reporting. Suspected data fabrication, falsification, or omission is subject to editorial investigation and possible retraction.

By adhering to this structured decision-making framework, IJBMFI ensures every manuscript receives a fair, timely, and academically robust evaluation, upholding its role as a trusted platform for business, management, and financial research.