For Editors

For Editors

SVJ is committed to the advancement of interdisciplinary scholarship across the humanities and social sciences. These editorial guidelines provide a transparent, ethical, and structured framework for all stakeholders—authors, reviewers, and editors—ensuring that every manuscript is handled with academic integrity, fairness, and professional rigor throughout the editorial process.

Submission and Initial Evaluation

Scope and Relevance Submissions must be original and fall within the aims and scope of the journal. Authors are encouraged to consult the Aims & Scope section before submission.

Plagiarism Screening All manuscripts undergo a mandatory plagiarism check (e.g., via Turnitin) in accordance with COPE and HEC Pakistan guidelines.

Manuscript Format Requirements All manuscripts must comply with the Author Guidelines, including:

  • Title and Author Information

  • Abstract and Keywords

  • Structured body (IMRAD or relevant structure)

  • Proper referencing (APA style, latest edition)

  • Tables, Figures, Ethical Statements, Acknowledgments

Licensing Terms All accepted articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC-BY 4.0). This permits sharing with attribution but disallows commercial reuse or modification.

Peer Review Policy

Double-Blind Review SVJ follows a double-blind peer review model:

  • Reviewer and author identities remain confidential.

  • At least two independent reviewers evaluate each submission.

Reviewer Selection & Ethics Reviewers are chosen based on their:

  • Subject-matter expertise.

  • Research credentials.

  • Absence of any conflict of interest with the authors.

Confidentiality All submitted material is treated as confidential. Unpublished data must not be used or disclosed by editors or reviewers.

Timeliness Reviewers are expected to respond within 2–4 weeks. Editors work to ensure timely communication and feedback throughout the review process.

Editorial Decision-Making

Possible Decisions Editorial outcomes may include:

  • ✅ Accept

  • ✏️ Minor Revisions

  • ???? Major Revisions

  • ❌ Reject

Authors receive a formal decision letter along with constructive reviewer comments.

Revision and Resubmission Authors are expected to:

  • Submit a revised manuscript within the specified deadline.

  • Provide a point-by-point response to reviewer feedback.

Appeals Authors may appeal a rejection by submitting a formal request. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, when necessary, an independent academic reviewer.

Ethical Standards and Responsibilities

Authorship Criteria All listed authors must have made substantial academic contributions. The corresponding author ensures all contributors approve the manuscript and its submission.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Authors, reviewers, and editors must declare any financial, professional, or personal relationships that may influence the manuscript's evaluation.

Research Ethics If applicable, studies involving human participants, surveys, interviews, or institutional data must include statements of ethical approval and informed consent.

Post-Publication Policy

Corrections and Retractions In the event of serious errors or misconduct, SVJ may issue:

  • Erratum (publisher-corrected errors)

  • Corrigendum (author-corrected errors)

  • Retraction (for invalid or unethical research)

All changes are clearly marked, transparent, and indexed appropriately.

Digital Archiving All articles are permanently archived to ensure accessibility and citation continuity. SVJ partners with secure repositories for long-term preservation.

Editorial Board Responsibilities

Selection Criteria Editorial board members are selected for their:

  • Subject expertise.

  • Research credentials.

  • Commitment to ethical publishing.

Duties Editorial board members support:

  • Peer review.

  • Strategic development.

  • Quality assurance and ethical governance.

Rotation and Renewal To maintain diversity and innovation, board composition is periodically refreshed.

Communication and Transparency

Author Support The SVJ editorial office is available for inquiries about:

  • Manuscript status.

  • Submission procedures.

  • Revisions and publication timelines.

Professional Conduct All communication between authors, reviewers, and editors must remain respectful, timely, and professional, ensuring a collaborative and academically productive environment.

By following these editorial guidelines, SVJ ensures the publication of reliable, ethical, and impactful research that contributes meaningfully to business and management sciences.