Confidentiality Protocols

ACADEMIA Nextgen Management Journal (ANMJ)

Maintaining strict confidentiality is fundamental to the integrity, objectivity, and ethical standards of ANMJ’s editorial and peer review processes. These protocols define the roles and responsibilities of editors, reviewers, and journal staff in safeguarding the privacy of all individuals involved and ensuring secure handling of manuscript materials throughout the editorial lifecycle.

1. Confidentiality of Manuscripts

For Editors

All submitted manuscripts are considered privileged and confidential. Editors must:

  • Use manuscript content solely for editorial assessment

  • Avoid disclosing or discussing manuscript details outside the editorial team

  • Never use unpublished content for personal research or academic gain

For Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to treat all assigned manuscripts as confidential intellectual property. They must:

  • Not share manuscript content with colleagues or third parties

  • Not discuss or cite the manuscript outside the review process

  • Securely store and delete all copies after the review is complete

Prior written permission from the editorial office is required for any discussion beyond the peer review system.

For Journal Staff

Access to submissions is restricted to designated editorial staff. All personnel must:

  • Handle manuscript materials through secure systems

  • Avoid unauthorized access, sharing, or discussion of content

  • Adhere to internal data protection protocols

2. Confidentiality of the Peer Review Process

Double-Blind Review Model

ANMJ follows a double-blind peer review system to ensure fairness and impartiality. This means:

  • Author details are removed before the manuscript is sent to reviewers

  • Reviewer identities remain anonymous to authors at all times

  • Editors are responsible for verifying the anonymity of all review materials and correspondence

Reviewer Identity Protection

Reviewer identities are strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to:

  • Authors

  • Other reviewers

  • Any external individuals or organizations

Submission system settings and email templates are regularly reviewed to maintain identity protection.

3. Confidential Correspondence

With Authors

All communications with authors—including reviewer comments, editorial decisions, and revision instructions—are confidential. These may not be:

  • Shared or forwarded to unauthorized persons

  • Posted publicly or used for purposes beyond editorial correspondence

With Reviewers

All editorial instructions and communication with reviewers must remain private. Reviewer comments shared with authors are anonymized and must not reveal, directly or indirectly, the reviewer’s identity.

4. Data Protection and Secure Storage

System Access

Only authorized users may access the ANMJ editorial system. Editors, reviewers, and staff must:

  • Keep login credentials confidential

  • Avoid using unsecured or shared devices for manuscript work

Secure File Handling

All manuscript files must be stored on secure, password-protected devices. The use of cloud storage is discouraged unless access is encrypted and strictly controlled.

Sharing manuscript files outside the editorial workflow without written approval is not permitted.

5. Post-Decision Confidentiality

Rejected Manuscripts

Rejected submissions and their accompanying reviews must remain confidential. Editors and reviewers may not:

  • Retain copies of rejected manuscripts

  • Use any data, images, or arguments from them in future work

Published Manuscripts

Although published articles are publicly available, all records related to the review process—such as reviewer identities, internal decisions, and editorial deliberations—remain permanently confidential.

6. Handling Breaches of Confidentiality

Reporting Violations

Any breach of confidentiality—whether accidental or intentional—must be immediately reported to the editorial board. The board will:

  • Investigate the incident thoroughly

  • Notify affected parties

  • Take appropriate corrective actions

Consequences of Breach

Violations may result in:

  • Suspension or removal from the reviewer or editorial board

  • Loss of access to the submission system

  • Notification to the violator’s institution

  • Reporting to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), if applicable

7. Ongoing Commitment

ANMJ adheres to the standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and international scholarly publishing best practices. All editors, reviewers, authors, and staff involved in the editorial process are required to uphold these confidentiality protocols to protect the integrity and ethical standards of the journal.