Conflict of Interest (CoI) Policy

The IIP International Journal of Commerce & Business Management Studies is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and ethical publishing. This Conflict of Interest (CoI) Policy ensures that any potential competing interests are properly disclosed and responsibly managed throughout the publication process, protecting the objectivity and credibility of the research we publish.

1. Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when personal, financial, academic, or professional relationships have the potential to influence—or appear to influence—the impartiality of research, peer review, or editorial decision-making.
Conflicts may arise for authors, reviewers, editors, or any participant in the publication process.

Examples include:

  • Financial relationships (funding, sponsorships, employment, consulting)

  • Personal relationships or academic rivalries

  • Institutional affiliations that may influence outcomes

  • Intellectual or ideological interests

2. Disclosure Requirements for Authors

Authors must provide a full and accurate disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest at the time of manuscript submission. This includes:

  • Financial interests: grants, funding sources, paid consultancies, or other financial relationships related to the research

  • Personal relationships: close professional, family, or personal ties with individuals who could influence the work

  • Institutional affiliations: connections with organizations that may benefit from the research outcomes

A Conflict of Interest Statement must be included in the manuscript.

3. Disclosure Requirements for Reviewers

Reviewers must immediately inform the editorial team if they identify any conflict that may compromise their ability to review a manuscript objectively. Conflicts may include:

  • Professional or personal relationships with the authors

  • Financial or academic competition

  • Situations that may create bias or unfair evaluation

If a conflict exists, the reviewer must decline the review request.

4. Editorial Conflicts of Interest

Members of the editorial board and editorial staff are required to disclose any conflicts of interest that may influence their handling of manuscripts.

  • Editors must not participate in decisions regarding manuscripts where they have competing interests.

  • Editorial decisions must always be based on the academic quality, originality, and relevance of the manuscript, without influence from personal or financial considerations.

5. Managing Conflicts of Interest

When a conflict of interest is disclosed, the journal will take appropriate measures to ensure fairness and objectivity. These measures may include:

  • Recusal of editors or reviewers from handling the manuscript

  • Assigning the manuscript to an independent, unbiased reviewer or editor

  • Documenting the conflict and management steps for transparency

6. Transparency and Integrity

  • All declared conflicts of interest may be made publicly available in the published article, when relevant.

  • Authors are encouraged to clearly include their CoI disclosures as part of the manuscript submission.

  • The journal prioritizes transparency to maintain trust among authors, reviewers, readers, and institutions.

7. Handling Unreported Conflicts

If a previously undisclosed conflict of interest is discovered after publication, the journal will initiate appropriate actions, which may include:

  • Issuing a correction or editorial notice

  • Publishing an expression of concern

  • Retracting the article in severe cases

The integrity of the scholarly record and the reputation of the journal remain paramount.

By following this Conflict of Interest Policy, the IIP International Journal of Commerce & Business Management Studies ensures that all aspects of the publication process are conducted with fairness, objectivity, and complete transparency.