Peer Review Process

1. Submission

  • Manuscript Submission: Authors are required to submit their manuscripts through the journal’s online submission platform. The submission must be complete, with all required sections (title page, abstract, main text, references, figures, and tables) formatted according to JoBIC’s author guidelines.
  • Author Declaration: The authors must confirm that the manuscript is unique, hasn't appeared anywhere else, and isn't being considered by any other journals.

2. Initial editorial screening

  • Scope Alignment: The editorial team screens the submitted manuscript to verify that it aligns with the journal’s focus and scope—business integration and competitive strategies. The manuscript should address topics related to operational integration, innovation, competitive strategy, or global business practices.
  • Plagiarism Check: To ensure originality and academic integrity, the manuscript undergoes a plagiarism detection software check. We will reject any manuscript with significant levels of plagiarism outright.
  • Desk Rejection Criteria: The journal may desk-reject manuscripts that are outside its scope, exhibit poor academic quality, or raise significant ethical concerns. Authors will receive detailed reasons for the rejection.

3. Editor Assignment

  • Handling Editor Selection: For manuscripts passing the initial screening, the Editor-in-Chief assigns a handling editor with subject matter expertise relevant to the manuscript’s topic.
  • Reviewer Identification: The handling editor identifies a pool of potential reviewers, typically selecting 2-3 reviewers who are experts in the field. We choose reviewers based on their academic credentials, experience, and publication record in the relevant subject area.

4. Double-Blind Peer Review

  • Double-Blind Process: JoBIC uses a double-blind review system to ensure impartiality. Neither the authors nor the reviewers are aware of each other's identities.

  • Reviewer Responsibilities: Reviewers must thoroughly evaluate the manuscript using a number of criteria.

    • Relevance: The manuscript must clearly contribute to the field of business integration and competitive strategy.
    • Originality: Reviewers evaluate whether the research presents novel insights, findings, or theories not previously published.
    • Methodological Rigor: The research design, methods, data collection, and analysis must be sound, appropriate, and accurately presented.
    • Clarity and Structure: Reviewers evaluate the manuscript's clarity of writing, logical structure, and coherence.
    • Impact: Reviewers consider the potential impact of the research on both academic and practical business contexts.
    • Ethics: Manuscripts must adhere to ethical standards in research, including proper treatment of human subjects (if applicable), data integrity, and proper citation of sources.

  • Reviewer Recommendations: Reviewers are expected to offer one of the following suggestions:

    • Accept without changes: The manuscript meets all criteria and is ready for publication.
    • Minor revisions: While the manuscript requires minor improvements, its fundamental strength remains intact.
    • Major revisions: Although the manuscript has significant problems (such as methodological issues and analysis gaps), it is still possible to revise and resubmit it.
    • Reject: The manuscript does not meet the journal’s standards and is not suitable for publication, even with revisions.

5. Review feedback and decisions.

  • Handling Editor’s Decision: Once the reviewers submit their evaluations, the handling editor synthesizes the feedback and makes a preliminary decision. The editor can:
    • Accept: If the reviewers agree that the manuscript is of high quality and needs no major revisions, it is accepted for publication.
    • Request Revisions: If the reviewers suggest changes, the editor compiles the comments and returns the manuscript to the authors for revision.
    • Reject: If the reviewers deem the manuscript unsuitable, they will reject it and provide the authors with detailed feedback.

6. The revision process

  • Author Revisions: Depending on the extent of revisions required, authors have 4-8 weeks to address the reviewers' comments and resubmit their revised manuscript.

  • Response to Reviewers: When resubmitting, authors must include a response letter detailing how they have addressed each reviewer’s comments. If authors choose not to implement certain suggestions, they must provide a detailed explanation.

  • Second Round of Review: If the reviewers request major revisions, they typically send the revised manuscript back for a second round of evaluation. This helps to ensure that the authors have adequately addressed the initial feedback.

7. Final Editorial Decision

  • Acceptance or Rejection: Based on the reviewers' second evaluations (or the handling editor's review of minor revisions), the editor makes a final decision:
    • Accept: If you have satisfactorily addressed the revisions, we accept the manuscript for publication.
    • Reject: If the revisions do not meet the required standards, the manuscript may still be rejected at this stage.

8. Copyediting and proofreading.

  • The journal's editorial office receives accepted manuscripts for professional copyediting. This process focuses on improving language clarity, formatting, consistency, and adherence to the journal’s style guidelines.
  • Authors receive the final proofs for review once copyediting is complete. Before publishing the manuscript, the authors must approve the proofs.

9. Publication

  • Online First: Following final approval, we publish the manuscript in the "Online First" section, making it accessible before it appears in a specific journal issue.
  • Journal of Business Integration Competitive assigns the manuscript to an upcoming issue and makes it available in both print and digital formats.

10. Post-publication reviews and revisions

  • Post-Publication Comments: JoBIC encourages post-publication review, where readers can submit comments or critiques of the published research. JoBIC may request authors to address these comments through a formal discussion or clarification.
  • Errata or Corrections: If the editorial team discovers any errors after publication, they may issue an erratum or correction.

Reviewer incentives and recognition

  • Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the journal's quality. JoBIC recognizes the contribution of reviewers by:

    • All active reviewers receive an annual certificate of recognition.
    • The journal publishes the names of reviewers, with their consent, on its website every year.
    • We are offering discounts on future article processing charges for those who consistently provide high-quality reviews.

  • Reviewer Ethics: Reviewers must adhere to strict ethical guidelines. They are expected to:

    • Maintain confidentiality in the manuscript.
    • Avoid conflicts of interest: Reviewers must recuse themselves from reviewing manuscripts where they have a direct conflict (e.g., if they are closely affiliated with the authors).
    • Provide constructive feedback: Reviews should be objective, specific, and aimed at improving the quality of the manuscript.

Appeals Process

  • Author Appeals: In cases where authors disagree with the editorial decision, they may file an appeal. Appeals should include detailed reasoning and any supporting evidence. A separate panel of editors reviews appeals, and their decision is final.

Journal of Business Integration Competitive, through its structured and transparent review process, publishes only the highest quality, original, and impactful research, thereby contributing to the advancement of knowledge in business integration and competitive strategies.