Decision-Making Process

Introduction

At the International Journal of Business, Management & Financial Insight (IJBMFI), our 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.

Initial Submission Screening

Preliminary Editorial Review

Upon submission, manuscripts undergo a preliminary review by the editorial office to verify adherence to the journal’s requirements. This includes:

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

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

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

Scope and Relevance Assessment

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

Peer Review Process

Reviewer Assignment

Manuscripts that pass initial screening are sent for double-blind peer review. Two or more independent reviewers with relevant academic and subject-matter expertise are selected to provide impartial evaluations.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers assess each submission 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 fall into one of the following categories:

  • 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.

Editorial Decision

Review Consolidation

The handling editor reviews all peer evaluations and synthesizes the feedback. In cases of conflicting recommendations, the editor may consult a third reviewer or the editorial board to reach a consensus.

Final Decision by Editor-in-Chief

The final editorial decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief, based on reviewer insights, manuscript quality, and alignment with IJBMFI’s editorial standards. The decision categories are:

  • Accept

  • Minor Revisions

  • Major Revisions

  • Reject

Revision and Resubmission Protocol

Minor Revisions

Authors are typically given 2–4 weeks to address minor feedback. The editor will assess the revised manuscript without initiating another peer review cycle.

Major Revisions

Authors are given 4–8 weeks to revise their manuscript. Substantial changes may require re-evaluation by the original reviewers or new peer reviewers.

Resubmission After Rejection

Rejected manuscripts are not typically reconsidered. However, if editorial feedback includes detailed revision advice, the authors may submit a substantially revised version as a new submission.

Communication of Decisions

Author Notification

Authors receive a formal decision letter containing:

  • A 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 an editorial decision by submitting a written justification outlining concerns related to procedural fairness or misinterpretation. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, whose final decision is binding.

Post-Acceptance Procedures

Final Submission

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

Copyediting and Proof Approval

The manuscript undergoes professional copyediting to ensure clarity, consistency, and language quality. Authors are provided with proofs for final approval prior to publication.

Online Publication

Once approved, the article is published in the next scheduled issue of IJBMFI and made accessible via the journal’s open-access platform.

Ethical Oversight

Conflict of Interest Disclosure

All parties involved—authors, reviewers, editors—must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity of the editorial process.

Research Ethics Compliance

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

Data Transparency

IJBMFI promotes transparency in data reporting. Any suspicion of data fabrication, falsification, or omission will be subject to editorial investigation and possible retraction.

By following this structured decision-making framework, IJBMFI ensures that each manuscript receives a fair, timely, and academically robust evaluation. Our commitment to ethical publishing and editorial integrity underpins our role as a trusted platform for business, management, and financial research.