Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

IRHAMNA: Indonesian Research of Sustainability Management, Business, & Administration is a peer-reviewed journal published biannually. It is available online as an open-access publication as well as in print. This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities of all parties involved in the publication process, including authors, the editor-in-chief, the Editorial Board, reviewers, and the publisher. This statement is based on COPE’s Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors.

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of an article in IRHAMNA is a fundamental contribution to the advancement of knowledge in sustainability management, business, and administration. It reflects the quality of the research and the institutions supporting it. Peer-reviewed articles uphold the integrity of the scientific method, making it essential to establish clear ethical standards for all parties involved in the publication process: authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, and the research community.

As the publisher, IRHAMNA is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards at all stages of publication. It ensures that editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, free from external influence.

1. Publication Decisions

The editors of IRHAMNA are responsible for determining which submitted articles will be published. This decision is based on the manuscript’s scholarly merit, originality, clarity, and relevance to the journal’s scope. The editorial team adheres to the journal’s policies and all legal requirements regarding defamation, copyright, and plagiarism. Editors may consult with other editors or reviewers to ensure fair and informed decision-making.

2. Plagiarism Screening

Authors are responsible for submitting original manuscripts free from plagiarism and academic misconduct. IRHAMNA employs a thorough plagiarism detection process. Each submission is checked against offline and online databases to identify any potential ethical breaches.

3. Fair Play

Manuscripts are evaluated solely based on their intellectual merit, regardless of the author’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic background, citizenship, or political views.

4. Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone except the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, other editorial advisors, and the publisher, as appropriate.

5. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Unpublished materials from submitted manuscripts must not be used in an editor’s own research without the express written consent of the author.

Duties of Reviewer

1. Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists editors in making informed decisions regarding manuscript acceptance. Reviewer feedback also helps authors improve the quality of their work.

2. Promptness

Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess a manuscript or unable to provide a timely review should notify the editors and withdraw from the review process.

3. Confidentiality

Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They should not be shared or discussed with others except as authorized by the editor.

4. Standards of Objectivity

Reviews must be conducted objectively, with constructive feedback and without personal criticism of the author.

5. Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should ensure that relevant published work has been cited appropriately. They should also inform editors of any substantial similarity between the submitted manuscript and other published works.

6. Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

Reviewers must maintain confidentiality regarding privileged information obtained during peer review and should not review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

7. Review Process

Every manuscript submitted to IRHAMNA undergoes a double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers. Publication decisions are based on their recommendations. If necessary, a third reviewer may be consulted before a final decision is made.

Duties of Authors

1. Reporting Standards

Authors should present an accurate and objective account of their research, ensuring that data is represented truthfully. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable.

2. Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure their work is entirely original. If the work or words of others are used, they must be appropriately cited or quoted.

3. Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors should not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals simultaneously, as this constitutes unethical publishing behavior.

4. Acknowledgment of Sources

Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is required. Authors must cite all publications that influenced their research.

5. Authorship of the Paper

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the study. All contributors should be listed as co-authors, and those with lesser contributions should be acknowledged appropriately. The corresponding author must ensure that all co-authors approve the final version before submission.

6. Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects

If a study involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment with potential hazards, authors must clearly identify these risks in the manuscript and provide appropriate safety measures. For research involving human participants, confidentiality and anonymity must be upheld as a fundamental ethical principle. Researchers should ensure that both institutions and individual participants have their rights to privacy protected. When anonymization techniques, such as pseudonymization, are used, authors must provide a clear rationale for their application. In some cases, participants or their legal guardians may voluntarily waive their right to confidentiality and anonymity, allowing their identities to be disclosed in published research. Researchers must obtain formal, informed consent and ensure compliance with ethical standards in such situations. For studies involving animals, authors must follow ethical guidelines that prioritize animal welfare, ensuring that research is conducted with minimal harm and in accordance with institutional or national regulations.

This statement is based on ethical principles outlined in the BERA Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research (4th ed.), as well as internationally recognized publication standards, including those established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

7. Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that could influence their research findings. All sources of financial support should be acknowledged.

8. Fundamental Errors in Published Works

If an author discovers a significant error in their published work, they must promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate to issue a correction or retraction.

Allegations of Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, citation manipulation, or plagiarism in conducting or reviewing research and writing articles. If an author is found to have engaged in research misconduct, IRHAMNA will take necessary actions to maintain the integrity of the scientific record.

In cases of suspected misconduct, the Editors and Editorial Board will follow COPE’s best practices to investigate allegations fairly. If confirmed, appropriate actions will be taken, such as manuscript rejection, publication retraction, or other corrective measures.

Institutions are expected to conduct thorough investigations into allegations of scientific misconduct. IRHAMNA remains committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards by responding appropriately to ethical concerns and ensuring the validity of published research.

For further details on ethical guidelines and misconduct policies, please refer to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE): https://publicationethics.org/misconduct.