Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
The Amity Business Journal (ABJ) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and takes all possible measures against publication malpractice. This statement is based largely on the guidelines and best practices developed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, and editors involved in the publication process are outlined below.
Responsibilities of Authors
By submitting a manuscript to the Amity Business Journal, the author(s) confirm that the manuscript is their original work, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Authors further warrant that all sources of ideas, text, data, or other material that are not their own have been appropriately cited or quoted.
Authors should not submit or publish manuscripts describing essentially the same research in more than one journal or publication outlet. Such redundant or duplicate publication is considered unethical and, if identified, may result in rejection of the manuscript or retraction of a published article.
Manuscripts reporting original research must present an accurate and objective account of the work performed and its significance. The underlying data must be represented truthfully, and sufficient methodological detail and references must be provided to allow replication of the study. Fabrication, falsification, or deliberate misrepresentation of data constitutes serious unethical behaviour and may result in rejection or retraction.
Where a manuscript reports on commercial products, software, hardware, or services, authors must clearly declare at the beginning of the manuscript whether any conflict of interest exists. All sources of financial or institutional support for the research must be disclosed.
Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce or adapt any images, figures, tables, or other material for which they do not hold copyright. The copyright holder must be informed that the material will be made available as part of an open-access scholarly publication.
Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made a substantial scholarly contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. The order of authorship should reflect the level of contribution. Individuals who have contributed in a limited or indirect manner should be acknowledged in an Acknowledgements section. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all listed authors have approved the final manuscript and agreed to its submission and publication.
If an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in a published article, they have an obligation to promptly inform the editors and cooperate fully to correct or retract the article as appropriate.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Peer reviewers assist the editors in making editorial decisions and contribute to improving the quality of manuscripts. Reviewing for ABJ is undertaken on a voluntary basis, and reviewers are free to decline invitations if they are unable to complete the review within the stipulated time or feel unqualified to assess the manuscript.
Reviewers who accept an invitation are expected to submit their reviews within the specified timeframe. Reviewers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves if such conflicts exist.
All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Information or ideas obtained through the peer-review process must not be used for personal advantage or disclosed to others without authorization from the editor.
Reviews should be conducted objectively and constructively, avoiding personal criticism of the author(s). Reviewers should clearly explain their evaluations and provide detailed feedback to help authors improve their manuscripts, even when recommending rejection.
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited and alert the editor to any substantial similarity, plagiarism, or ethical concerns associated with the manuscript.
Responsibilities of Editors
The editors of the Amity Business Journal are responsible for deciding which manuscripts should be published, based on the journal’s editorial policies and legal requirements relating to libel, copyright infringement, and plagiarism. Editorial decisions are based on the manuscript’s scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and contribution to knowledge.
Editors evaluate manuscripts without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or political beliefs. All information regarding submitted manuscripts is treated as confidential and disclosed only to those directly involved in the editorial and review process.
Editors are committed to maintaining the integrity of the double-blind peer-review process and will not disclose the identities of authors or reviewers.
In evaluating manuscripts, editors will also assess whether ethical standards have been upheld in the conduct of the research. Where necessary, authors may be asked to provide evidence of ethical approval from an appropriate institutional review board or ethics committee.
Editors will follow COPE guidelines when considering retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern and will cooperate with institutions and research bodies in cases involving research misconduct.
Disclosure of Interest and Publisher’s Responsibility
The Amity Business Journal is published by Amity Business School, Amity University, Lucknow. The publisher retains the exclusive rights to publish, distribute, and market the journal. Authors are not permitted to engage in the commercial sale or distribution of their published work.
All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of competent courts in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
All rights are reserved with the publisher. No part of the journal may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission. The views expressed in published articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Amity Business Journal or Amity University.