Committee on Publication Ethics
– IJBMRS

Introduction

To uphold the highest standards of research integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing practices, the International Journal of Business & Management Research Studies (IJBMRS) maintains the Committee on Publication Ethics – IJBMRS (COPE-IJBMRS).

The Committee functions as an independent internal ethics body under the direct oversight of the Editor-in-Chief (EIC).

Composition

(Updated as per the November 2025 Amendment)

COPE-IJBMRS shall consist of:

• Chairperson: Editor-in-Chief (ex officio)
  
  

• Vice-Chairperson: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  
  

• Secretary: Deputy Editor-in-Chief (ex officio; fixed role)
  
  

• Appointed Members: Qualified individuals nominated directly by the Editor-in-Chief
  
  

Note:
All previous role-based member categories (Advisory Board Member, International Peer Network Member, Editorial Board Member) are discontinued.
The Secretary position is no longer elected; it is permanently assigned to the Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

Objectives

COPE-IJBMRS aims to:

• Ensure integrity, fairness, and transparency in all editorial and peer-review activities.
  
  

• Investigate and address publication misconduct including plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and unethical authorship practices.
  
  

• Provide ethical guidance to authors, reviewers, and editors in accordance with IJBMRS policies and global standards.
  
  

• Recommend corrective or disciplinary actions when misconduct is substantiated.
  
  

• Continuously review and update ethics policies in alignment with international norms.
  
  

Powers and Functions

• Advisory Role: Provide ethical recommendations to the EIC and Editorial Board.
  
  

• Investigative Authority: Handle allegations of publication ethics violations.
  
  

• Confidential Proceedings: Maintain confidentiality throughout investigations.
  
  

• Corrective Recommendations: Suggest retractions, corrections, suspensions, or other actions.
  
  

• Annual Documentation: Maintain an annual ethics report for IJBMRS records.
  
  

Procedures

1. Ethical concerns must be submitted to the Secretary, COPE-IJBMRS via the official journal email.
   
   

2. The Secretary acknowledges receipt and forwards the concern to the Chairperson.
   
   

3. A Review Sub-Committee may be formed when required to examine evidence.
   
   

4. A written report with findings and recommendations is submitted to the Chairperson.
   
   

5. The Chairperson’s decision, in consultation with the Vice-Chairperson, is final and binding within IJBMRS.
   
   

Guiding Principles

• Integrity & Transparency: Processes remain fair, unbiased, and well documented.
  
  

• Accountability: Actions are grounded in evidence and international ethical standards.
  
  

• Confidentiality: Sensitive information is protected at all stages.
  
  

• Impartiality: Members must withdraw from cases involving conflicts of interest.
  
  

• Continuous Improvement: Policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate global best practices.
  
  

Reporting and Documentation

All decisions, reports, and communications of COPE-IJBMRS are securely archived on www.ijbmrs.org.
The Committee functions exclusively under the IJBMRS domain and infrastructure.