The International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Economy (IJITE) is committed to maintaining high standards of ethics in scholarly publishing. Our policies are guided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and best practices in academic publishing to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in all stages of the publication process.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

• Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must submit only original works. IJITE does not tolerate plagiarism in any form. Submitted manuscripts are screened for originality, and any detected plagiarism will lead to rejection or retraction.
• Data Accuracy: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the data presented in their research. Fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting of data is strictly prohibited.
• Authorship and Contributions: Only individuals who have substantially contributed to the research should be listed as authors. All contributors should be acknowledged, and authors must declare that all co-authors have approved the final manuscript.
• Conflict of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest that could influence the research results or interpretation.
• Acknowledgment of Sources: Proper acknowledgment of sources is essential. Authors should cite publications that have influenced the research and data used in their work.
• Ethical Approvals: Research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must have received prior approval from an appropriate ethics committee. Authors should include a statement confirming this approval within their manuscript.

2. Responsibilities of Editors

• Editorial Independence: Editors make decisions on the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts based solely on their quality, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Editorial decisions are not influenced by commercial interests or personal biases.
• Confidentiality: Editors must maintain confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts. Information about a manuscript should not be disclosed to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, and editorial staff.
• Handling Conflicts of Interest: Editors must declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling a manuscript if necessary. Alternative editorial arrangements will be made in such cases.
• Ethical Oversight: Editors are responsible for identifying and managing ethical issues. In cases of suspected misconduct, they will follow COPE guidelines to ensure fair and transparent investigation and resolution.
• Reviewer Selection: Editors are responsible for selecting qualified and impartial reviewers who can provide an unbiased assessment of the manuscript.

3. Responsibilities of Reviewers

• Objective and Constructive Review: Reviewers are expected to provide an unbiased, constructive assessment of the manuscript. Their comments should be aimed at improving the quality of the research and be respectful toward the authors.
• Confidentiality: All manuscripts received for review are confidential. Reviewers must not disclose or discuss the manuscript with others except as authorized by the journal.
• Conflict of Interest: Reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest that may affect their objectivity. If a conflict exists, they should recuse themselves from the review.
• Promptness: Reviewers are expected to complete their reviews promptly. If unable to meet the deadline, they should inform the editorial office as soon as possible to allow for alternative arrangements.

4. Research Misconduct

• Plagiarism: IJITE strictly prohibits plagiarism in any form. If plagiarism is detected, the manuscript will be rejected, and further actions may be taken as necessary.
• Data Fabrication and Falsification: The fabrication, manipulation, or falsification of data is unacceptable. Authors found engaging in such practices will face rejection, and their institutions may be notified.
• Image Manipulation: Manipulating images to alter research results is strictly prohibited. Any image modifications must be disclosed in the manuscript and comply with ethical guidelines.
• Misconduct Investigation: In cases of suspected misconduct, the editorial office will conduct a thorough investigation in line with COPE guidelines, involving the authors and, if necessary, the affiliated institutions. Outcomes may include correction, retraction, or other appropriate actions.

5. Conflicts of Interest and Disclosure

• Authors: Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that could influence the research findings or interpretation.
• Editors and Reviewers: Editors and reviewers are required to disclose any conflicts of interest regarding a manuscript they are handling or reviewing and recuse themselves if necessary.

6. Transparency and Data Sharing

• Data Availability: IJITE encourages authors to share the data underlying their research to promote transparency and reproducibility. Authors may include a data availability statement in their manuscript.
• Open Access and Licensing: Articles published in IJITE are freely accessible under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), allowing others to share and adapt the work with proper attribution.

7. Corrections and Retractions

• Corrections: If significant errors are identified post-publication, the journal will issue a correction to maintain accuracy in the academic record.
• Retractions: In cases of serious ethical violations, such as data fabrication or plagiarism, the journal will retract the affected article and provide a statement explaining the reasons.
• Expressions of Concern: When a concern arises about the integrity of a published article, but the investigation is inconclusive, IJITE may issue an expression of concern to alert readers.

8. Appeals and Complaints

Authors who wish to appeal editorial decisions or submit complaints regarding the editorial process may do so by contacting the editorial office. Appeals will be reviewed fairly and promptly, and decisions will be made in line with the journal’s policies and COPE guidelines.

9. Article Processing Charges (APC)

The International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Economy (IJITE) applies an Article Processing Charge (APC) of 120 USD for each accepted manuscript to cover the costs of open-access publication. This APC ensures that articles are freely accessible to a global audience. Authors from low-income countries, as classified by the World Bank, may request an APC waiver.