Peer Review Process

Peer Review Process of the European Journal of Business Research and Management Studies

The European Journal of Business Research and Management Studies (EJBRMS) follows a rigorous peer review process to ensure the publication of high-quality, original research. The journal employs a double-blind peer review system, which means that both the identities of the authors and the reviewers are kept confidential throughout the review process. This promotes impartiality and fairness in the evaluation of submissions.

Steps in the Peer Review Process:

  1. Initial Submission:

    • Authors submit their manuscript through the journal's online submission system.
    • Upon submission, the manuscript is checked for adherence to the journal’s formatting and submission guidelines.
    • An initial plagiarism check is conducted using plagiarism detection tools.

  2. Editorial Screening:

    • The Editor-in-Chief or the editorial team performs a preliminary assessment of the manuscript to determine whether it aligns with the journal’s scope and standards.
    • Manuscripts that do not meet the journal’s basic requirements (e.g., quality, originality, relevance) or have high plagiarism levels are desk-rejected at this stage.

  3. Assignment of Reviewers:

    • If the manuscript passes the editorial screening, the Editor-in-Chief assigns it to two or more expert reviewers in the relevant field. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and experience in the subject area of the manuscript.
    • The double-blind review ensures that the identities of both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other, minimizing bias.

  4. Peer Review Process:

    • Reviewers evaluate the manuscript on various criteria, including originality, methodology, clarity, relevance, contribution to the field, and validity of the findings.
    • Reviewers provide detailed feedback and comments, addressing strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement.
    • Reviewers make a recommendation to the Editor, which may include one of the following:
      • Accept without revision
      • Minor revisions
      • Major revisions
      • Reject
    • The typical review period lasts 4 to 6 weeks, though this can vary depending on the reviewers’ availability and the complexity of the manuscript.

  5. Revision by Authors:

    • If revisions are required, the authors receive the reviewers’ comments and are given a specified amount of time (typically 2-4 weeks) to revise their manuscript.
    • The revised manuscript is submitted with a detailed response letter, explaining how each reviewer’s comment has been addressed.
    • The revised manuscript may undergo further review if necessary, particularly if major changes have been requested.

  6. Final Decision:

    • Based on the reviewers’ recommendations and the authors’ revisions, the Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision on the manuscript.
    • The decision could be:
      • Accept for publication
      • Request further revisions
      • Reject
    • Authors are notified of the decision via email, along with the reviewers’ feedback and any final editorial comments.

  7. Publication:

    • Once accepted, the manuscript moves to the production stage, where it undergoes final formatting, proofreading, and typesetting.
    • The article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and is published online in the next available issue of the journal.

Appeals:

If an author disagrees with the reviewers’ or editor’s decision, they have the right to appeal by submitting a formal written request. The editorial board will review the appeal and determine whether to conduct an additional review or uphold the original decision.

Reviewer Responsibilities:

  • Reviewers are expected to provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback.
  • They should disclose any potential conflicts of interest and decline the review if they feel unable to provide an impartial evaluation.
  • Reviewers are encouraged to maintain confidentiality and not share the manuscript or details of the review with others.

Timelines:

The entire peer review process, from submission to final decision, typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the manuscript and the responsiveness of reviewers and authors.

This transparent, thorough, and efficient peer review process ensures that the European Journal of Business Research and Management Studies maintains the quality and integrity of the research it publishes.