Journal Policies and Publishing Standards

Sustainable Trends and Business Research (STBR) is a research journal proudly introduced by ResearchApt, a leading institution dedicated to advancing higher education and research excellence. As a flagship journal under ResearchApt, STBR is committed to promoting high-quality scholarly work that enriches the academic landscape through rigorous, locally grounded research and innovation.

1 Policy Framework and Objectives

The objectives and scope outlined by STBR Journal's policies delineate the overarching aims and thematic focus of the journal, emphasizing content quality, ethical standards, and contributions to the academic community. This policy framework serves to ensure consistency and clarity in the operational processes of STBR Journal, applicable to all stakeholders including the Editorial Teams, Editorial Board, Advisory Board, Review Board, Authors, and Readers.

2 Alignment with COPE Guidelines

Upholding the principles of originality aligns with the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Preserving the integrity of academic publishing is paramount, with originality serving as the cornerstone of credible and impactful research. STBR Journal's policies on originality, guided by COPE's best practices, are aimed at fostering ethical research conduct and upholding the highest standards of scholarly publication.

3 Author(s) Contributions/Credits Policy

This policy seeks to establish clear criteria for authorship, ensuring appropriate recognition for individuals who have significantly contributed to a research article accepted for publication in STBR Journal. Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research study. Authors delineate their specific roles and contributions through the CRediT system. We appreciate the cooperation of all parties in maintaining transparent authorship standards. Therefore, all authors are required to adhere to the following criteria:

Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
Drafting or critically revising the article for intellectual content.
Final approval of the version to be published.
Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work to ensure its accuracy and integrity.

Authorship order within the manuscript should reflect the relative contributions to the research study (which may vary across disciplines) as follows:

The main author, the researcher making the most significant contribution to the research (both in practice and writing), should be listed first.
Co-authors should be listed in descending order according to their relative contributions.
The designated corresponding author, responsible for communication with the journal and readers, should be clearly identified.

In cases of conflict regarding authorship, the Editor-in-Chief or a designated Senior Editor will facilitate discussions between involved parties. Decisions on authorship will be based on adherence to the criteria outlined in this policy, ensuring fair assessment of contributions and consultation with appropriate experts when necessary.

Any changes in authorship, including additions, deletions, or rearrangements, post-submission require written consent from all concerned authors. Such changes should be promptly communicated to the journal's editorial team, accompanied by a clear rationale for modification. If necessary, such changes will be communicated to the editorial team even after the peer review process but before publication.

4 Affiliation Policy

Corresponding authors are kindly requested to ensure that all authors have provided a comprehensive list of pertinent affiliations for their research work. In the event of a transfer from the current affiliated institution to another, an author may update their affiliation before the manuscript's publication. Following the publication process, affiliations will remain unchanged. For authors with multiple affiliations, it is necessary to indicate the order of affiliation as primary, secondary, or tertiary institutions. However, the number of affiliations should not exceed ten at a time. Independent researchers should denote their independent status.

5 Citation Guidelines

The STBR Journal adheres to the citation guidelines outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and incorporates valuable recommendations for ensuring accurate and ethical citation practices. The following guidelines, based on COPE rules, are to be observed:

5.1 Accurate and Complete Citations

Authors must furnish accurate and complete citations for all sources referenced in their research work. Include all pertinent information, such as authors' names, article titles, journal titles, publication years, volume numbers, and page numbers. For online sources, researchers should include stable identifiers such as DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) or URLs.

5.2 Citing Previous Work Appropriately

Authors are obliged to cite relevant prior research works that have influenced or contributed to their research. Credit the original authors by including their work in the reference list or through proper in-text citations. Cite both published and unpublished works (with permission) that have significantly influenced the research or analysis.

5.3 Avoiding Plagiarism

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their citations accurately attribute ideas, data, and words to their sources. Directly quote or paraphrase other works, while indicating the source. Use quotation marks for verbatim text and provide the proper initial source.

5.4 Transparent Self-Citation

Authors should refrain from excessive or inappropriate self-citation that may appear biased or manipulative (See COPE guidelines related to text recycling). Self-citations should only be employed when necessary to provide context or acknowledge previous related work. Self-citations should adhere to the same guidelines for accuracy and completeness as citations to other authors' works.

5.5 Correcting and Retracting Citations

In case of errors or omissions discovered in published articles, authors should promptly issue corrections or retractions. Corrections should be transparently communicated to the readers and publishers, including a clear explanation of the changes made to the original publication.

6 Cross-Checking Citations

STBR requires all submitting authors to uphold the highest standards of citation accuracy and academic integrity. Contributors must ensure that all references cited in their manuscripts are relevant, reliable, and reflect a balanced engagement with existing scholarship in the field.

All references must conform to the Harvard referencing style, as adopted by STBR. Authors are expected to carefully cross-check each citation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with Harvard formatting conventions. All in-text citations must correspond to full entries in the reference list, which should include essential bibliographic details such as the author's name, year of publication, title, journal or publisher, and page numbers where applicable. Authors are encouraged to cite peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, official reports, and reputable conference proceedings that contribute substantively to the subject matter.

Authors must avoid excessive self-citation or citation of non-scholarly or unreliable sources, including blogs, Wikipedia, or unverified online content. Any form of citation manipulation or omission of relevant literature may be grounds for editorial rejection.

Copyright Compliance: Authors must adhere to all applicable copyright regulations when incorporating external content into their manuscripts. This includes, but is not limited to, figures, tables, images, datasets, questionnaires, and extended quotations that originate from previously published materials. When such content is reused, authors are responsible for securing written permission from the copyright holder and appropriately citing the original source. Where applicable, clear attribution must be provided in line with Harvard referencing standards. Authors must explicitly acknowledge any adapted, reproduced, or modified content and confirm that proper permission has been obtained prior to submission.

Rights and Licensing: While authors retain full copyright over their submitted work, acceptance for publication in STBR constitutes the granting of a non-exclusive publishing license to the journal. This allows STBR to distribute and archive the article under the terms of an open-access Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0). This license permits others to share, adapt, and build upon the work for any purpose—including commercially—provided appropriate credit is given to the original author(s). This licensing approach aligns with STBR’s commitment to open access, ensuring that research is freely accessible to scholars, practitioners, and the public globally, without financial or legal barriers.

Ethical Attribution and Academic Integrity: Proper citation and attribution are not only technical requirements but ethical imperatives in scholarly communication. Authors are expected to acknowledge all intellectual contributions that have informed their work, whether conceptual, methodological, or empirical. Failure to do so may be considered a form of plagiarism or academic misconduct, both of which are subject to investigation under STBR’s editorial policies and COPE guidelines.

7 Conflict of Interest/Competing Interest Policy

A robust conflict of interest policy is essential for ensuring transparency, integrity, and unbiased decision-making throughout the publishing process. Accordingly, STBR Journal adheres to the following policy.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all individuals involved in the publishing process of STBR Journal disclose and manage any potential or actual conflicts of interest that could influence their objectivity, integrity, or decision-making. This policy applies to all individuals engaged in editorial roles, including editors, editorial board members, reviewers, authors, and staff members associated with STBR Journal. A conflict of interest arises when an individual's personal, professional, financial, or institutional affiliations or relationships may impact their judgment, objectivity, or decision-making during the publishing process. Individuals involved in the publication process, including authors, reviewers, editorial team members, and staff, must disclose any potential or actual conflicts of interest. These conflicts may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

Financial relationships, such as employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or funding sources. Personal relationships, including familial or other personal connections with authors, reviewers, or editors. Institutional affiliations or biases that may influence judgment or create perceptions of bias. Intellectual or professional conflicts that could affect objectivity or fairness in reviewing, editing, or publishing decisions.

8 Editorial Board Conflicts

Members of the advisory board and guest editors are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest related to their roles. In cases where conflicts are identified, advisory board members and guest editors may be excluded from decisions about manuscripts that pose conflicts.

9 Disclosure Process

Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to their research or funding sources in a designated section of the manuscript, following the journal's guidelines (refer to the attached template in Annexure A for the conflict-of-interest statement). Reviewers and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest relevant to the manuscripts assigned to them for review. They should promptly notify the journal's editorial office of any conflicts that arise during the review process. Editorial board members should disclose any conflicts of interest that may impact their decision-making or editorial duties. Staff members associated with STBR Journal should disclose any potential conflicts of interest arising from their roles in the publishing process.

10 Handling Conflict of Interest

Review and Evaluation: Conflicts of interest are taken into consideration during editorial decision-making to ensure an unbiased and objective process. Disclosed conflicts of interest are reviewed by the journal's Editor-in-Chief or a designated Editor to assess their potential impact on the individual's ability to fulfill their responsibilities impartially.

Mitigation Strategies: Appropriate measures are implemented to manage conflicts of interest, which may include abstaining from specific tasks, assigning alternative reviewers or editors, or seeking additional expert opinions.

Transparency: The journal is committed to maintaining transparency by clearly disclosing any identified conflicts of interest, either within published articles or on the journal's website.

Confidentiality: All disclosed conflicts of interest will be handled by the journal's editorial team with strict confidentiality, sharing information only with individuals directly involved in the evaluation and decision-making process.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement: STBR Journal periodically reviews and updates its conflict-of-interest policy to ensure effectiveness and alignment with industry best practices. Upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and the highest ethical standard in scholarly publishing guides the management of conflicts of interest.

Author(s) Appeals: The editorial staff of STBR Journal carefully considers all issues related to academic integrity. Authors who disagree with a decision made by the journal's editorial team or wish to complain about the publication process may file an appeal.

Appeal Process and Complaint Handling: Authors must formally submit their appeal or complaint to the journal's editorial team within fifteen days of the decision or incident. The Editor-in-Chief or Editor will review the appeal for validity and determine the appropriate course of action, which may involve appointing an independent reviewer for re-evaluation and investigation.

Continuous Improvement: All appeals and complaints are treated with strict confidentiality, and reviewers are selected based on their expertise and impartiality. Personal information is handled in accordance with relevant privacy laws and regulations to address problems promptly and uphold the integrity of the editorial process and the reputation of the journals.

Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawal Policy: STBR Journal adheres to COPE guidelines and best practices for scholarly journals to handle corrections, retractions, and withdrawals. The policy ensures prompt consideration and resolution of errors or misconduct, with transparent communication to readers and appropriate actions taken to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Policy for Research Misconducts: The journal's policy for research misconduct aligns with COPE guidelines, ensuring a confidential and accessible reporting mechanism, impartial preliminary assessment, thorough investigation process, transparent communication of findings and outcomes, appropriate corrective actions and sanctions, and a fair appeals process.

11 Data Availability and Sharing Policy

Data Availability Statement: STBR Journal may request authors to include a data availability statement in their manuscripts, as per the provided template in Annexure B. The data availability statement should clearly specify whether data will be openly accessible or subject to specific restrictions. For openly available data, authors must indicate where the data can be accessed, such as repositories, websites, or supplementary materials. In cases of restricted data, authors should justify the restrictions and outline the conditions under which access can be granted.

Open Data: Authors are encouraged to make their data openly available whenever feasible, adhering to FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable). Authors are encouraged to deposit their data in reputable repositories or archives. The use of data citation practices is encouraged to ensure appropriate attribution of datasets.

Data Sharing Exceptions: STBR Journal recognizes situations where data sharing may be prohibited due to legal (intellectual property rights) or ethical (confidentiality and privacy) restrictions. In such exceptional cases, authors must provide a clear explanation for the restrictions in the data availability statement.

Data Access Requirements: Authors are requested to provide metadata, documentation, or data access agreements for restricted data. Authors are encouraged to provide detailed descriptions of data collection, processing, and analysis methodologies to enhance transparency and reproducibility.

Reproducibility and Validation: STBR Journal emphasizes the reproducibility of findings by encouraging authors to share the necessary data and code. Authors should include information on data validation processes (quality control) along with potential data limitations.

Compliance Monitoring: STBR Journal ensures authors' compliance with data availability and sharing policies, with oversight from reviewers and editors.

12 Use of Figures, Tables, and Images in Articles

Figures, tables, and images are essential for presenting data and enhancing the understanding of scholarly research. At STBR, authors are expected to use these elements ethically, accurately, and in accordance with professional standards.

12.1 Copyright Compliance

Authors must adhere strictly to copyright regulations when incorporating any third-party content into their manuscripts. This includes images, tables, figures, or datasets that are not originally created by the author(s). Prior written permission must be obtained from the copyright holders, and the source must be accurately cited in compliance with STBR's referencing style (Harvard). Submissions that do not meet these requirements may be rejected or delayed until appropriate documentation is provided.

12.2 Originality and Authenticity

All visual content included in the manuscript must be original, authentic, and reflect the actual research findings. The use of fabricated, manipulated, or misleading data is strictly prohibited. Any alterations made to original visual materials should be explicitly mentioned and justified in the manuscript. STBR upholds transparency as a fundamental principle of ethical research dissemination.

12.3 Clarity and Appropriateness

Authors are encouraged to include figures and tables that directly support their analysis, ensuring that these elements are contextually relevant and enhance comprehension. Each table or figure should be clearly labeled, numbered consecutively, and referenced in the body of the text. Descriptive titles should accompany each element, and visuals should be cohesive with the manuscript’s formatting style. Proper labeling, units, and legends must be provided for clarity.

12.4 Ethical Use of Images

When images involve identifiable individuals, especially in research involving human subjects, authors must obtain informed consent before publication. STBR strictly prohibits the inclusion of offensive, discriminatory, or unethical images. The rights, dignity, and privacy of participants must be respected at all times, and any image submitted must reflect academic and ethical responsibility.

12.5 Quality and Resolution

To ensure publication-ready quality, all images and figures must be submitted in high resolution (generally a minimum of 300 DPI). Authors should avoid low-resolution visuals that impair readability or misrepresent the data. Graphs, photographs, and illustrations should be professionally presented and must maintain their quality when scaled.

12.6 Consistency and Formatting

Authors must follow the formatting standards prescribed by STBR. This includes consistent use of fonts, labels, and color schemes across all visual elements. Tables and figures should align with the rest of the manuscript’s formatting to ensure visual consistency throughout the published article. Discrepancies or inconsistencies may lead to editorial requests for revision.

12.7 Permissions and Citations

For any reused visual material—whether modified or reproduced in its original form—authors must acquire formal permission and provide full citations. This includes citing the source of charts, tables, figures, or images obtained from books, articles, websites, or other publications. The original creator must be acknowledged, and licensing terms (e.g., Creative Commons) must be clearly followed where applicable.

13 Originality and Plagiarism Policy

STBR Journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism to uphold the integrity, originality, and academic value of published research. All submitted manuscripts are rigorously screened using leading plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin or iThenticate, to identify any overlap with existing published materials.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

Copying text, ideas, or data from another source without proper attribution.
Using content from previously published work (including the author’s own) without citation—also known as self-plagiarism or text recycling.
Slightly modifying sentences from published work while maintaining the same structure and meaning without referencing the original source.

Example of unacceptable plagiarism: If an author copies a paragraph from an existing journal article and changes only a few words without citation, this is considered plagiarism—even if the original idea is paraphrased.

Example of proper citation: When referencing the concept of “Triple Bottom Line” from Elkington (1997), the correct approach is:

"Sustainable development in business is often assessed through the triple bottom line—an approach that evaluates economic, social, and environmental outcomes (Elkington, 1997)."

Authors must ensure that all content—whether quoted, paraphrased, or adapted—is properly credited to the original source using the Harvard referencing style, as required by STBR. Manuscripts found to contain plagiarism will be rejected immediately and may lead to a ban on future submissions. In cases of minor, unintentional overlap (e.g., similarity in methodology sections), the editorial board may request revisions rather than outright rejection. However, repeated or intentional violations will be reported to the author's institution and treated under academic misconduct protocols.

14 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Involvement in Research

STBR recognizes the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research processes and encourages its ethical, transparent, and responsible use. Authors are required to clearly disclose any use of AI tools—whether in data analysis, writing assistance, image generation, statistical modeling, or literature summarization—within the manuscript.

Acceptable examples of AI involvement:

Using ChatGPT to help draft a research introduction, followed by human editing and critical thinking.
Employing tools like IBM Watson or Google AutoML for data analysis in a predictive modeling study.
Using software like Grammarly for grammar checking or Turnitin for pre-submission similarity checks.

Unacceptable use:

Submitting content entirely or primarily generated by AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard) without significant author contribution, critical interpretation, or verification.
Falsifying data, fabricating references, or generating deceptive figures using AI tools.
Using AI-generated text that copies other published material without appropriate citation or verification.

Authors must include a disclosure statement such as: “Portions of this manuscript were supported using OpenAI's ChatGPT to generate initial summaries of related literature, which were then revised and critically evaluated by the authors.”

Importantly, AI cannot be credited as an author, since it lacks legal responsibility and cannot be held accountable for the accuracy or ethics of the research. The final responsibility for all content—text, data, figures, and interpretations—lies entirely with the human author(s). Articles that critically examine the use of AI in sustainable business, education, ethics, or policy are highly encouraged for submission to STBR, provided they meet the journal’s standards for academic rigor and transparency.

15 Peer Review Policy

At Sustainable Trends and Business Research (STBR), every manuscript undergoes a multi-stage evaluation process to ensure it meets the journal’s academic and ethical standards. Before initiating the peer review, each submission is assessed by the editorial board for its alignment with the journal’s scope, the quality of writing, and the validity of the research methods. Only those that pass this initial screening are forwarded to the next stage: double-blind peer review.

In the double-blind peer review system, both the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential. This ensures impartiality, reduces bias, and promotes a fair evaluation process based purely on academic merit. During this phase, reviewers examine the manuscript's originality, rigor, methodology, and contribution to theory and practice. The Chief Editor or handling Editor holds the right to reject manuscripts at any stage of this process—whether before or after peer review—if they are deemed unsuitable, unethical, or significantly flawed. However, authors maintain the right to appeal any editorial decision by submitting a formal response, which is then reviewed by the editorial team or a third-party evaluator to ensure transparency.

16 Role of Reviewers

Reviewers serve as the cornerstone of STBR’s quality assurance. Selected for their expertise in the subject area, reviewers are entrusted with providing critical and balanced evaluations of submitted manuscripts. They are expected to assess each submission thoroughly and professionally.

Key Responsibilities of Reviewers:

Evaluate Relevance and Contribution: Reviewers must assess whether the manuscript aligns with the journal’s aims and contributes meaningfully to existing scholarship.

Ensure Methodological Soundness: They must examine the appropriateness and execution of research methods and data analysis.

Provide Constructive Feedback: Suggestions should help authors improve their work. Feedback must be respectful, evidence-based, and clearly communicated.

Maintain Confidentiality: All manuscript contents and review comments are to be treated as confidential, even after the review process ends.

Disclose Conflicts of Interest: Reviewers must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest that could affect their objectivity.

STBR follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, which reviewers are strongly encouraged to adhere to when evaluating manuscripts.

17 Research Ethics Guidelines

STBR Journal is deeply committed to fostering research that adheres to the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability. Ethics in research is not merely a requirement but a foundational principle that underpins the journal’s credibility and scholarly integrity.

17.1 Ethical Guidelines for Authors

Authors bear the primary responsibility for ensuring their research complies with ethical norms, particularly when human or animal subjects are involved.

a) Research Involving Human Participants

Informed Consent: Authors must obtain and document informed consent from all participants. They must also ensure the anonymity and privacy of the individuals involved.

IRB or Ethics Approval: Manuscripts must include details of ethical clearance from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee. For example, a study involving interviews with patients should include a statement such as: “Approved by the University Ethics Committee, Approval No. 2025/45”.

Protection of Vulnerable Groups: Special care must be taken when involving minors, elderly populations, or vulnerable groups.

b) Research Involving Animals

Animal Welfare Compliance: Experiments involving animals must conform to institutional and international guidelines such as the ARRIVE Guidelines.

Ethical Treatment: Efforts must be made to minimize pain and stress to animals. Authors should provide justification for the use of animals and report the measures taken to ensure their ethical treatment.

c) Data Integrity and Reporting

Originality: Manuscripts must be original and must not have been published or submitted elsewhere.

Accurate Reporting: Data must not be fabricated, falsified, or selectively reported. Authors should retain raw data and make it available upon request for editorial review.

Acknowledgment of Sources: All references, figures, tables, or text taken from previous work must be appropriately cited.

Avoidance of Plagiarism: STBR uses tools such as Turnitin to detect plagiarism. Self-plagiarism (reusing one’s own previously published content without proper citation) is also prohibited.

d) Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Authors must declare any financial, personal, institutional, or professional affiliations that may be perceived to affect the research. For instance, if an author received funding from an organization with a vested interest in the study outcomes, this must be clearly disclosed. Example: “The authors declare that this research received funding from ABC Foundation. The funder had no role in the design, execution, or publication of this study.”

18 Peer Review Process

At Sustainable Trends and Business Research (STBR), the peer review process is designed to uphold scholarly integrity, academic rigor, and ethical publishing practices. All reviewers are expected to conduct their evaluations with impartiality and professionalism. Reviewers must perform fair and unbiased assessments of submitted manuscripts. They are required to evaluate submissions solely on academic merit, free from personal or professional conflicts of interest. All information and materials shared during the review process must be treated as strictly confidential and should not be shared, discussed, or used for personal advantage. Reviewers are also expected to offer constructive and evidence-based feedback to help authors improve their manuscripts. They should flag any ethical concerns, suspected misconduct, or data manipulation observed during the evaluation. Particular attention should be paid to research validity, originality, data integrity, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Transparency is a key pillar of the STBR review system. The journal follows a double-blind peer review process, in which both the authors and reviewers remain anonymous to each other, ensuring an unbiased and objective evaluation.

19 Editorial Responsibilities

The editors of STBR are entrusted with ensuring the ethical management of the publication process and making decisions independently, transparently, and without prejudice. They are responsible for evaluating manuscripts based on academic quality and alignment with the journal's aims and scope, regardless of the authors’ affiliations, nationality, or personal characteristics. In cases where allegations of misconduct or ethical violations are raised—such as plagiarism, falsified data, or duplicate submissions—the editorial team will conduct a thorough and confidential investigation. Based on the findings, they may issue formal actions including corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern. The Chief Editor and the editorial board ensure that all actions taken are guided by established ethical policies and aligned with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) standards.

20 Compliance with Ethical Standards

All authors submitting to STBR are expected to fully comply with applicable ethical standards, regulations, and legal requirements. Manuscripts involving human or animal subjects must be accompanied by proper ethical clearance, including:

Ethics approval from a recognized Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee.
Informed consent documentation, where applicable, particularly when dealing with human participants or sensitive data.
Transparency in data reporting, with authors required to disclose any risks, benefits, or conflicts of interest related to the study.

Authors must include a dedicated section within the manuscript outlining ethical considerations and approvals. In instances where academic integrity violations are identified, the editorial office will forward the case to the relevant editorial committee, the STBR Research Ethics Committee, or the Rector of STBR for resolution. Investigations are handled with fairness, confidentiality, and due process.

21 Education, Support, and Objectivity

STBR recognizes the importance of educating stakeholders about research ethics, especially in complex or emerging areas. In ethical investigation cases, the process is conducted with strict confidentiality to protect all parties involved. External experts or advisors may be consulted to provide unbiased evaluations. In cases of harassment or other serious ethical concerns, STBR maintains a transparent reporting policy. Updates on investigations are provided when appropriate to ensure accountability. To build capacity among researchers, editors, and reviewers, ResearchApt offers periodic workshops and training sessions focused on ethical publishing, conflict of interest management, authorship criteria, and responsible research practices.

22 Accessibility Policy

STBR is committed to making its content widely accessible to a global academic audience. The journal operates on the Open Journal System (OJS) platform, which supports multiple formats including HTML and PDF, ensuring readability across devices and accessibility tools. Feedback from readers or contributors with disabilities is welcomed to improve the accessibility of STBR’s digital infrastructure and content. This user-centered approach reflects the journal’s dedication to inclusive knowledge sharing.

23 Open Access Statement

STBR operates under an Open Access publishing model, which means that all articles are freely available to read, download, and share without any subscription or access fees. This policy ensures that research published in STBR reaches a diverse audience, including academics, policymakers, educators, and practitioners across the globe. The journal supports the free flow of information and collaboration by eliminating financial barriers to knowledge dissemination.

24 Digital Archiving Policy

STBR ensures the long-term preservation and availability of its published content through robust digital archiving practices. Articles are regularly stored in secure repositories such as CLOCKSS (Controlled Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) and are indexed across relevant metadata repositories to guarantee future accessibility. Additionally, STBR enables self-archiving of associated data and supplementary materials on both institutional and open-access platforms. This approach ensures that the academic contributions made through the journal remain retrievable and citable for years to come.

25 Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and Archival Practices

To enhance discoverability and permanent citation, STBR assigns Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to all published articles and issues. DOIs provide a stable, persistent link to the digital content, even if the journal’s website structure changes over time. The journal also ensures that article metadata—such as authorship, keywords, and abstracts—are properly formatted and archived across various indexing and preservation platforms, helping future-proof the visibility and citation of STBR publications.

26 Author Self-Archiving Policy

STBR supports authors in promoting their research and enhancing its impact. Authors are encouraged to upload copies of their published articles to their personal websites, institutional repositories, and academic networking sites (e.g., ResearchGate, Academia.edu). Self-archiving boosts article visibility, improves citation metrics, and aligns with the journal’s open-access mission. However, authors must ensure proper citation of the published version and provide a DOI link back to the journal’s official publication.

27 Article Processing Charges (APC)

STBR is committed to equitable access to publishing and operates on a no-fee model. The journal does not charge authors any fees for submission, review, or publication. This policy ensures that publication decisions are based solely on academic quality rather than financial capability. Authors are invited to publish their work in STBR without concern for financial barriers, reinforcing the journal’s mission to democratize access to sustainable business knowledge.

28 Copyrights and Permissions

The STBR Journal publishes all accepted manuscripts under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). This licensing model permits others to copy, distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the published work, including for commercial purposes, as long as proper attribution is provided to the original author(s). Although authors retain full copyright ownership of their manuscripts, STBR reserves the right to distribute printed versions of the journal, which may include limited subscription-based physical copies.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that any third-party content (such as images, figures, charts, or tables) used in their manuscripts complies with copyright laws. Appropriate permissions must be obtained and clear citations provided for all reused content. It is also important to note that some content within the publication—such as trademarks, trade names, and proprietary terms—may be protected under national or international law. While every effort is made to ensure that published information is accurate at the time of release, the journal and its publishers cannot be held liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of published materials. The sole responsibility for the content lies with the author(s).

29 Promoting Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Through the use of Creative Commons licensing, STBR actively supports the open science movement by promoting unrestricted access, collaboration, and dissemination of knowledge. This approach aligns with global efforts to make research more inclusive and equitable, enabling scholars, practitioners, and educators to access and build upon published work freely. Authors contributing to STBR play a key role in advancing academic dialogue, fostering innovation, and enhancing global research capacity.

30 Systematic Review Registration

Authors conducting systematic reviews or meta-analyses are strongly encouraged to register their studies in a publicly accessible repository such as PROSPERO or an equivalent platform. Registration helps prevent duplication, enhances transparency, and provides a structured plan outlining the objectives, methodology, and scope of the review. For instance, authors may register a review on sustainable supply chain practices in PROSPERO, detailing their inclusion criteria, data sources, and review methodology prior to manuscript submission. This practice contributes to the credibility and reliability of systematic research within the academic community.

31 Authorship and Contributions

All individuals listed as authors must have made substantial contributions to the research design, data collection, analysis, or manuscript preparation. Authorship must not be offered as a courtesy or for non-substantive contributions.

The order of authorship should reflect the level of intellectual input. The corresponding author is responsible for coordinating the manuscript submission and ensuring that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version.

Ghost authorship, guest authorship, or honorary authorship are unethical practices and will be considered violations of publishing ethics.

32 Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

Authors must fully disclose any personal, financial, academic, or institutional relationships that could influence their research. Conflicts of interest may arise from funding sources, advisory roles, stock ownership, patent applications, or affiliations. Even if there are no conflicts, a statement such as "The authors declare no conflict of interest" must be included in the manuscript. Transparency regarding potential biases enhances reader trust and strengthens the credibility of the research.

33 Advertisement Policy

STBR adheres to a strict no-advertisement policy. The journal does not display or accept advertisements on its website or in its publications. This policy ensures that editorial content remains independent, unbiased, and free from any commercial influence. By maintaining a non-commercial publication environment, STBR reinforces its commitment to academic rigor, transparency, and the integrity of scholarly communication.

34 Article Publishing Rights Policy

To publish an article in STBR, authors are required to grant the journal specific publishing rights through a formal agreement. This agreement allows STBR to disseminate the article while enabling authors to retain core rights, including the ability to reuse and share their work in academic settings, institutional repositories, and personal platforms. The publishing rights also permit STBR to distribute the article in line with Islamic values and cultural norms, respecting the ethical expectations of its readership. Once published, STBR holds exclusive rights for the distribution and reproduction of the article in any format, though always under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.

35 Data Availability Policy

To support transparency and reproducibility in research, STBR encourages authors to make their data publicly accessible whenever possible. Authors are advised to submit raw data, datasets, codes, or supplementary materials either as appendices or by linking to established repositories such as Figshare, Zenodo, OSF (Open Science Framework), or institutional data repositories. When data cannot be publicly shared due to privacy, confidentiality, or contractual limitations, authors must clearly explain the reason for restriction in the manuscript. For example, if the study involves sensitive interviews with participants or proprietary industry datasets, authors should include a data availability statement such as: "Due to the confidential nature of the data collected from participants, supporting data is not publicly available. However, anonymized excerpts may be available upon reasonable request." All articles must include a Data Availability Statement at the end of the manuscript to clarify how and where data can be accessed.

36 Post-Publication Discussions and Corrections

STBR values ongoing scholarly dialogue and recognizes that knowledge evolves over time. The journal supports post-publication discussions through letters to the editor, commentaries, or official responses submitted by readers and authors. In cases where errors, inaccuracies, or omissions are identified after publication, STBR will evaluate the matter following COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and may take one or more of the following actions:

Corrigendum (Correction): Issued when a minor error is identified that does not affect the overall integrity of the article.
Erratum: Issued when the journal is responsible for the publishing error.
Addendum: Published to provide additional information or clarification that enhances the original article.

Corrections are published promptly and linked to the original article to ensure transparency and scholarly accountability.

37 Retraction and Withdrawal Policy

STBR is committed to preserving the integrity and credibility of scholarly literature. In certain circumstances, a published article may need to be retracted or withdrawn. Grounds for retraction include, but are not limited to:

Plagiarism or data fabrication
Falsified peer review or unethical conduct
Major errors that invalidate findings
Duplicate publication

Retraction Process: If an article is deemed to be seriously flawed or unethical, the editorial team may issue a formal retraction notice, clearly explaining the reasons. The retracted article will remain online with a watermark or label indicating its retracted status to maintain the scholarly record.

Withdrawal Process: If an article is under review and the author wishes to withdraw it, a formal withdrawal request must be submitted in writing to the editor-in-chief, along with a valid reason. Once an article is accepted for publication, withdrawal requests are not encouraged and will be evaluated case-by-case.

Expressions of Concern: In cases where allegations are under investigation and a decision is pending, the journal may issue an Expression of Concern as a temporary notice to alert readers of potential issues.

38 Misconduct Handling and Complaints Procedure

STBR strictly adheres to COPE guidelines in managing academic and research misconduct, which includes plagiarism, falsification, authorship manipulation, citation padding, or reviewer misconduct. Any complaints regarding editorial decisions, peer review delays, or unethical behavior should be directed to [email protected]. Each complaint will be handled impartially and confidentially. If necessary, an independent committee may be appointed to investigate the issue. In proven cases of misconduct, STBR reserves the right to:

Retract the article.
Notify affiliated institutions or funding bodies.
Bar future submissions from the individual(s) involved.

39 Research Ethics Oversight and Institutional Responsibility

The STBR Research Ethics Committee oversees compliance with ethical publishing practices and reserves the right to review any publication or conduct investigation upon allegations received. Authors must cooperate with any inquiries and provide data or ethical approval documentation when requested. In line with international standards, institutional ethics boards are expected to verify their researchers’ compliance with proper research conduct. STBR encourages universities and institutions to train their researchers and students on publication ethics.

40 Final Statement on Publishing Ethics and Integrity

STBR is founded on the principles of academic excellence, integrity, and transparency. All contributors to the journal—including authors, reviewers, editors, and administrators—share the responsibility to uphold these values. Through detailed policy frameworks, robust peer review, open access, and strict ethical oversight, STBR aims to foster a research culture that is inclusive, responsible, and future-focused. Authors, reviewers, and readers are encouraged to participate actively in shaping an ecosystem that promotes ethical research, global collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable knowledge.