Editorial Policies & Governance

J-SUSTAIN: Journal of Sustainable Business and Global Transition is committed to maintaining high standards of editorial integrity, transparency, and academic quality. The journal operates under a structured and accountable editorial system to ensure that all manuscripts are evaluated fairly, objectively, and in accordance with internationally recognized standards in scholarly publishing, including the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

1. Editorial Structure

The journal is managed through a multi-level editorial structure to ensure effective governance, academic rigor, and international oversight.

  • Editor-in-Chief (EiC)
    The Editor-in-Chief holds primary responsibility for the academic direction of the journal and makes final decisions regarding manuscript acceptance or rejection. The EiC ensures that all editorial decisions align with the journal’s scope, standards, and ethical principles.
  • Co-Editors-in-Chief
    Co-Editors-in-Chief support the Editor-in-Chief in overseeing the editorial process and maintaining academic quality. They may contribute to strategic editorial decisions and provide additional oversight in manuscript evaluation when necessary.
  • Managing Editor
    The Managing Editor is responsible for the operational management of the journal, including manuscript administration, initial compliance checks, communication with authors and reviewers, and coordination of the editorial workflow.
  • Section Editors
    Section Editors manage manuscripts within their respective subject areas. Their responsibilities include conducting initial assessments, selecting qualified reviewers, overseeing the peer review process, and providing recommendations based on reviewer reports.
  • International Advisory Board
    The International Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and supports the journal’s development. Its members contribute to strengthening academic quality, enhancing international visibility, and ensuring alignment with global research standards.

2. Initial Screening and Desk Rejection

All submitted manuscripts undergo an initial screening by the editorial team prior to peer review. This stage ensures that submissions meet the journal’s minimum standards and are suitable for external evaluation.

A manuscript may be desk rejected if:

  • It falls outside the journal’s focus and scope
  • It does not demonstrate sufficient academic contribution
  • The methodology is fundamentally inadequate or lacks clarity
  • The similarity index exceeds the journal’s acceptable threshold
  • The manuscript does not comply with submission, formatting, or language requirements

This process helps maintain review efficiency and ensures that only manuscripts meeting basic quality criteria proceed to peer review.

3. Peer Review Oversight

The editorial team ensures that all manuscripts are evaluated through a double-blind peer review process.

Editors are responsible for:

  • Selecting at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise
  • Monitoring the quality, consistency, and objectivity of reviewer reports
  • Making balanced and informed decisions, particularly in cases of differing reviewer opinions

Editorial decisions are based on reviewer feedback, editorial judgment, and the overall academic merit of the manuscript.

4. Editorial Independence

All editorial decisions are made independently and are based solely on the scholarly merit, originality, and relevance of the manuscript. The journal does not permit any external influence—whether commercial, institutional, or personal—to affect editorial decisions.

5. Conflict of Interest

Editors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to handling a manuscript. Where a conflict exists, the editor must recuse themselves from the editorial process.

6. Self-Submission Policy

Members of the editorial board are permitted to submit manuscripts to the journal. However, they are strictly excluded from any involvement in the editorial handling of their own submissions. Such manuscripts are assigned to an independent editor to ensure impartiality and transparency.

7. Confidentiality

All manuscripts and associated materials are treated as confidential documents. Editors must not disclose any information regarding a submission to individuals outside the editorial process, except where necessary for peer review and publication.

8. Handling Research Misconduct

The journal follows the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in addressing suspected cases of misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, and redundant publication.

Depending on the severity of the case, actions may include:

  • Rejection of the manuscript
  • Requests for clarification or revision
  • Retraction of published articles
  • Notification to relevant institutions or stakeholders, where appropriate

9. Continuous Quality Assurance

The editorial team periodically reviews the journal’s performance, including editorial workflows, review timelines, and publication quality. Continuous improvements are implemented to ensure efficiency, transparency, and adherence to international publishing standards, while maintaining the rigor of the peer review process.