Indian Journal of Commerce and Management (IJCM) follows internationally accepted publication standards and adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. The journal ensures that every research work published reflects honesty, integrity, and academic responsibility. The objective of IJCM is to promote ethical research and publication practices that contribute to the advancement of management, commerce, business, and economics while maintaining the highest professional standards. This policy outlines the ethical responsibilities of authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

1. Originality and Plagiarism: Authors must submit only original research that has not been published elsewhere. Any use of previously published material must be properly cited. Plagiarism, duplicate publication, or self-plagiarism is considered unethical and unacceptable. In cases of confirmed plagiarism, the manuscript will be rejected or retracted, and appropriate actions will be taken.
2. Accurate Reporting: Authors must present their research findings honestly without fabrication, falsification, or data manipulation. All methods and results should be presented clearly and supported by evidence to allow replication and verification.
3. Authorship Criteria: Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission. The corresponding author bears responsibility for ensuring that all contributors are appropriately credited.
4. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that may influence their research or interpretation of results. Full transparency strengthens the credibility of the publication process.
5. Acknowledgment of Sources: Authors must acknowledge all sources of data, ideas, and financial or institutional support used in their research. Proper citations must be provided wherever necessary.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

1. Confidentiality: Reviewers must treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. They should not use or disclose any information from the review process for personal or professional advantage.
2. Constructive Feedback: Reviews must be conducted objectively, with constructive comments aimed at improving the quality of the manuscript. Reviewers should avoid personal criticism or biased language.
3. Timeliness: Reviewers should complete the review process within the agreed timeframe. Prompt reviews help maintain an efficient and fair editorial workflow, benefiting both authors and readers.
4. Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must declare any conflicts of interest (personal, financial, or professional) that could influence their judgment and must withdraw from reviewing such manuscripts.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

1. Fair and Objective Decision-Making: Editors are responsible for evaluating manuscripts based on their academic merit, without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, nationality, or ideology.
2. Confidentiality: Editors must ensure confidentiality throughout the editorial process and should disclose manuscript details only to individuals directly involved in the publication process.
3. Publication Decisions: The final decision to accept or reject a manuscript rests with the editors, who must consider the reviewers’ comments, the quality of research, and the journal’s relevance.
4. Handling Complaints and Ethical Violations: Editors are responsible for addressing all ethical issues related to submitted or published manuscripts. They must investigate complaints fairly, involve all parties as necessary, and take appropriate corrective measures such as corrections, retractions, or clarifications.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

1. Support for Journal Ethics: The publisher ensures that IJCM adheres to the highest ethical standards and supports editors, reviewers, and authors in maintaining integrity throughout the publication process.
2. Protection of Intellectual Property: The publisher takes responsibility for protecting the integrity of published content and addressing any instances of misconduct or unethical publication practices.
3. Post-Publication Oversight: In case of ethical concerns or errors discovered after publication, the publisher and editors will collaborate to investigate and take necessary action in accordance with COPE guidelines.

Post-Publication Protocols

If ethical issues or errors are identified after publication, IJCM will conduct a thorough investigation in consultation with the authors, reviewers, and editorial board. Depending on the findings, appropriate actions such as issuing correction notices, retractions, or statements of concern will be taken. The primary goal is to maintain the integrity of the academic record and protect the reputation of the research community.