The Ethiopian Journal of Business and Social Sciences (EJBSS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics, research integrity, and transparency. The journal adheres to internationally recognized best practices in scholarly publishing, including the principles and guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

This statement defines the ethical responsibilities of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher, and outlines procedures for handling publication malpractice.

Responsibilities of Authors

Originality

Authors must ensure that their submitted manuscripts are original works. All sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form—including self-plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, image manipulation, and improper citation—is strictly prohibited.

Manuscripts found to contain unethical content will be rejected, and published articles may be retracted.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Submission

Authors must not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting identical or substantially similar work to multiple journals constitutes unethical behavior.

Authorship Contribution

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial contributions to:

• Study conception and design
• Data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation
• Drafting or critical revision of the manuscript

All listed authors must approve the final version prior to submission. Contributors who do not meet authorship criteria must be acknowledged appropriately.

Data Integrity and Availability

Authors must ensure that all data are accurate and honestly presented. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is unacceptable. Authors may be required to provide raw data for editorial review and should retain data for a reasonable period following publication.

Ethical Approval and Consent

Research involving human participants must:

• Obtain ethical clearance from an appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee
• Secure informed consent from participants
• Protect participant confidentiality and anonymity

For research conducted in Ethiopia, compliance with national research ethics regulations is mandatory.

Approval of Conflicts of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the results or interpretation of their work.

Acknowledgment of Funding Sources

All sources of financial support must be clearly identified in the manuscript.

Corrections of Errors

If authors discover significant errors or inaccuracies in their published work, they must promptly notify the Editor-in-Chief and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.

Responsibilities of Editors

Publication Decisions

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members are responsible for deciding which manuscripts are accepted for publication. Decisions are based on:

• Scholarly merit
• Originality
• Methodological rigor
• Relevance to the scope of business and social sciences
• Contribution to knowledge

Fairness and Impartiality

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, nationality, institutional affiliation, religion, or political beliefs.

Confidentiality

Editors must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents and must not disclose information to unauthorized parties.

Conflict of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists.

Addressing Ethical Complaints

Editors will investigate ethical concerns in accordance with COPE guidelines and ensure fair and transparent resolution.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer reviewers assist editors in making informed decisions and improving the quality of manuscripts.

Confidentiality

Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential and must not be shared or used for personal advantage.

Objectivity and Constructive Feedback

Reviews should be conducted objectively and professionally. Personal criticism of authors is inappropriate.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist.

Identification of Ethical Issues

Reviewers should inform editors if they suspect:

• Plagiarism
• Duplicate publication
• Data manipulation
• Ethical violations

Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher of EJBSS ensures:

• Editorial independence
• Transparency in peer review
• Clear correction and retraction procedures
• Protection of intellectual property rights
• Long-term archiving and digital preservation

Commercial considerations will not influence editorial decisions.

Handling Allegations of Misconduct

EJBSS will investigate allegations of misconduct following COPE procedures.

Possible actions include:

• Rejection of the manuscript
• Publication of corrections or retractions
• Notification to authors’ institutions or funding bodies
• Temporary or permanent submission bans

All investigations will be conducted confidentially, fairly, and objectively.

Retraction and Correction Policy

EJBSS will issue:

• Corrections for honest errors
• Retractions for confirmed misconduct or unreliable findings
• Expressions of Concern when investigations are ongoing

Retraction notices will clearly state the reason to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.

Peer Review Process

EJBSS follows a double-blind peer review system in which both authors and reviewers remain anonymous to ensure impartial evaluation.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

The EJBSS is dedicated to promoting responsible research conduct and maintaining academic integrity both nationally and internationally. All stakeholders, authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher, are expected to adhere strictly to this Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement.

Failure to comply with these standards may result in appropriate corrective actions.