Statement of Ethics
Vision International Journal of Business and Economics (VIJBE) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing. The journal adheres to internationally recognized best practices to ensure the credibility, reliability, and scholarly value of published research.
VIJBE follows the principles and guidelines established by leading global organizations in scholarly publishing, including:
Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) https://publicationethics.org/
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) – Principles of Transparency and Best Practice https://doaj.org/apply/guide/
These guidelines form the ethical foundation of the journal’s editorial and publication practices.
Responsibilities of the Publisher and Editorial Board
The Publisher and Editorial Board of VIJBE are responsible for:
Ensuring independence of editorial decisions
Maintaining confidentiality of submissions and peer-review processes
Preventing conflicts of interest
Safeguarding academic freedom
Upholding transparency in editorial management
All editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, originality, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
Commercial, institutional, or personal interests do not influence publication outcomes.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors submitting to VIJBE must ensure that:
Originality and Plagiarism
Submitted manuscripts are original and have not been published or submitted elsewhere. All sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited.
Authorship
Only individuals who have made significant academic contributions should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the manuscript.
Data Integrity
Research data must be accurately presented. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting is unacceptable.
Ethical Approval
Studies involving human participants, surveys, interviews, or sensitive data must have obtained appropriate ethical approval from relevant institutions, where applicable.
Conflict of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence their research.
Multiple Submissions
Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is prohibited.
Research Involving Vulnerable Populations (Including Children)
The VIJBE recognizes the special ethical responsibilities involved in research with vulnerable populations, including children, adolescents, persons with disabilities, and individuals with limited capacity to provide informed consent. Authors conducting such research must ensure strict compliance with internationally recognized ethical standards, including obtaining prior approval from a duly constituted ethics review committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB), securing informed consent from parents or legal guardians and assent from minors, and safeguarding participants’ privacy, dignity, and well-being throughout the research process. Studies must adhere to relevant guidelines such as the Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/), the American Psychological Association Ethical Principles (https://www.apa.org/ethics/code), and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Guidelines). Manuscripts involving vulnerable populations should clearly describe the ethical safeguards applied, and the journal reserves the right to request additional documentation or clarification to ensure full ethical compliance.
Responsibilities of Reviewers
Peer reviewers are expected to:
Conduct reviews objectively and professionally
Maintain confidentiality of manuscripts
Declare conflicts of interest
Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback
Avoid misuse of unpublished material
Reviewers must not use information obtained during peer review for personal advantage.
Responsibilities of Editors
Editors of VIJBE are responsible for:
Managing a fair and transparent peer-review process
Selecting qualified and independent reviewers
Making impartial publication decisions
Addressing ethical complaints and appeals
Investigating suspected misconduct
Editors follow COPE flowcharts and guidelines when handling ethical concerns.
Handling of Misconduct
VIJBE takes allegations of misconduct seriously. Misconduct includes:
Plagiarism
Data fabrication or falsification
Duplicate publication
Authorship manipulation
Citation manipulation
In cases of suspected misconduct, the journal follows COPE procedures, which may include:
Investigation
Author notification
Correction
Retraction
Publication of expressions of concern
COPE guidance is followed throughout the process: https://publicationethics.org/guidance/Flowcharts
Retractions and Corrections
If published articles are found to contain significant errors or ethical violations, VIJSS may issue:
Corrections
Retractions
Editorial notices
These actions are taken in accordance with COPE Retraction Guidelines: https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines
Open Access and Transparency
VIJBE operates under an open-access publishing model and follows DOAJ transparency standards regarding:
Editorial governance
Peer-review procedures
Licensing and copyright
Publication fees (if applicable)
Ownership and management
Details are available in accordance with: https://doaj.org/apply/guide/
Commitment to Ethical Publishing
VIJBE is dedicated to promoting ethical scholarship, academic honesty, and responsible research dissemination.
By submitting to and publishing in VIJBE, all stakeholders agree to uphold these principles and contribute to the advancement of credible and trustworthy social science research.
