Complaints and Appeals Policy

The Journal of Innovative Research in Management Sciences (JIRMS) is committed to fair, transparent, and impartial editorial practices. The Journal provides authors, reviewers, and readers with the opportunity to raise concerns regarding editorial decisions, publication ethics, or the editorial process. All complaints and appeals are handled confidentially, objectively, and without discrimination.

Appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe it was based on a significant factual error, procedural irregularity, or a material misunderstanding during the editorial or peer-review process.

Appeals must present clear supporting evidence and explain why reconsideration is justified. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee that the original editorial decision will be changed.

The Editor-in-Chief, or another appropriately designated editor where necessary, will review the appeal independently. Where a potential conflict of interest exists, responsibility for the review shall be assigned in accordance with the Journal's Editorial Independence provisions.

The decision reached following the appeal review shall be final. The Journal will not consider repeated appeals relating to the same editorial decision unless new and substantive evidence becomes available.

Complaints

The Journal welcomes complaints relating to matters such as:

  • Editorial or peer-review procedures;
  • Publication ethics or research integrity;
  • Conflicts of interest;
  • Alleged publication misconduct; or
  • Professional conduct associated with the Journal's editorial activities.

Complaints are assessed fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the Journal's editorial policies. Where appropriate, additional information may be requested before a decision is reached.

Editorial Independence

Complaints and appeals are evaluated independently and objectively. Editorial decisions are based solely on scholarly merit, publication ethics, and the Journal's editorial policies, without influence from publication charges, institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, or other non-scholarly considerations.

Where a complaint or appeal involves the Editor-in-Chief or another editor with a potential conflict of interest, responsibility for the review shall be assigned to an independent Editorial Board member or an appropriate representative of the Publisher to ensure a fair, impartial, and unbiased evaluation.