Author Appeals Policy

At AJSMF, we are committed to a fair, transparent, and objective editorial process. While peer review ensures the highest standards in strategic management and finance research, we recognize that authors may wish to formally contest editorial decisions. This policy outlines how appeals are submitted, reviewed, and resolved.

1. Valid Grounds for Appeal

Authors may appeal if they believe:

  • The editorial decision was affected by a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the manuscript, data, methodology, or analysis.

  • Reviewer feedback contained factual errors or misjudgments that materially impacted the editorial outcome.

  • There is evidence of reviewer/editorial bias, conflict of interest, or procedural errors in the peer review process.

❗ Appeals based solely on disagreement with reviewer opinions without specific justification are unlikely to be considered.

2. Submitting an Appeal

  • Timeframe: Appeals must be submitted within 20 calendar days of the decision notification. Late appeals are considered only in exceptional cases.

  • Submission Format: Appeals should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief via the journal website: AJSMF Submission Portal

  • Required Content:

    • Clear explanation of the grounds for appeal

    • Specific references to reviewer/editorial comments

    • Supporting evidence (clarifications, corrected data, additional analysis)

    • Optional: Revised manuscript with detailed responses to reviewer comments

3. Appeal Review Process

  • Initial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief evaluates the appeal, including the manuscript, reviewer reports, and original decision. Input may be sought from the handling editor or additional board members.

  • Further Evaluation (if needed):

    • Reconsult original reviewers

    • Invite independent reviewers with no prior involvement

    • Seek advice from a neutral board member or ethics advisor

  • Final Decision: The journal may:

    • Uphold the original decision

    • Invite revision and resubmission

    • Accept the manuscript (with or without revisions)

The author receives a written explanation of the outcome.

4. Appeal Limitations

  • Only one appeal per manuscript is allowed

  • Submission of an appeal does not guarantee a change in the decision

  • Repetitive, baseless, or aggressive appeals will not be considered

5. Ethical Considerations

Appeals raising potential ethical issues—such as reviewer bias, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or procedural violations—will be referred to the AJSMF Ethics Committee. Corrective actions may include:

  • Reassigning the manuscript to a different editor/review team

  • Conducting a formal investigation following COPE guidelines

6. Communication and Timeline

  • Acknowledgment: Authors receive confirmation of appeal receipt within 5 business days

  • Resolution Time: Appeals are typically resolved within 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity and reviewer availability

AJSMF is committed to maintaining transparency, fairness, and the integrity of peer review while addressing genuine author concerns efficiently.