Conflicts of Interest

The International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Economy (IJITE) is committed to upholding transparency and integrity in the research publication process. All participants in the editorial and peer review process, including authors, editors, and reviewers, are required to disclose any conflicts of interest to maintain trustworthiness and accountability.

1. Definition of Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when financial, personal, professional, or other relationships could unduly influence, or appear to influence, a participant’s objectivity in conducting or evaluating research. Common types of conflicts include:

  • Financial Conflicts: Funding sources, grants, consulting fees, stock ownership, or other financial interests that may affect the research.
  • Personal Relationships: Relationships with individuals, such as collaborators or competitors, that could impact objectivity.
  • Professional Conflicts: Employment, affiliations, or memberships that could influence the assessment of a manuscript or the publication process.

2. Disclosure Requirements for Authors

Authors must disclose any conflicts of interest in their manuscript, including:

  • Funding Sources: All sources of funding for the research must be listed in the manuscript.
  • Financial Interests: Any financial interests that may affect the research outcomes must be disclosed.
  • Other Relationships: Any personal, professional, or institutional relationships that could impact the research should be acknowledged.

All disclosures should be made in the Conflicts of Interest section of the manuscript. If no conflicts exist, authors should include a statement to that effect (e.g., “The authors declare no conflicts of interest”).

3. Disclosure Requirements for Editors

Editors handling a manuscript must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could affect their impartiality. In cases where a conflict exists:

  • The editor should recuse themselves from handling the manuscript.
  • Another member of the editorial team will be assigned to oversee the submission to maintain objectivity.

4. Disclosure Requirements for Reviewers

Reviewers are required to disclose any conflicts of interest that may compromise their ability to provide an unbiased review. If a conflict is identified, the reviewer should:

  • Inform the editorial office immediately.
  • Recuse themselves from the review if necessary.

5. Managing Conflicts of Interest

IJITE takes conflicts of interest seriously and follows the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to address conflicts transparently. When conflicts of interest are disclosed, the editorial team will assess the situation and take appropriate actions, which may include:

  • Reassigning the manuscript to an independent editor or reviewer.
  • Including a statement of the disclosed conflicts in the published article if applicable.

6. Conflict of Interest Statements in Published Articles

When conflicts are disclosed by authors, a statement summarizing these conflicts will be included in the final publication. This ensures readers are aware of any potential influences on the research.

7. Ethical Compliance

The editorial team, authors, and reviewers of IJITE are expected to uphold the journal’s policies on conflicts of interest to ensure the integrity and credibility of published research.