The Journal of Applied Economics in Developing Countries (JAEDC) is committed to maintaining transparency, objectivity, and integrity throughout the research, peer-review, editorial, and publication processes. A conflict of interest may arise when personal, professional, financial, academic, or other relationships or interests could influence, or could reasonably be perceived to influence, an individual’s objectivity or decision-making. JAEDC follows the relevant principles and guidance of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in identifying and managing conflicts of interest.
1. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals involved in the publication process are expected to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may be relevant to the manuscript or to their role in the publication process. Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to, financial relationships, employment or consultancy, research funding, personal or family relationships, academic collaborations, institutional affiliations, professional competition, intellectual property interests, or other relationships that could affect or appear to affect objectivity.
Authors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest during manuscript submission and provide a Conflict of Interest Statement in the manuscript. If no relevant conflict exists, authors should explicitly state that there is no conflict of interest to declare. The disclosure should include relevant relationships or interests that could reasonably be perceived as affecting the research, its interpretation, or its publication.
2. Conflicts of Interest for Reviewers
Reviewers must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest to the Editor before accepting or undertaking a review. Reviewers should decline an invitation when their relationship with the authors, institutions, research, or subject matter may compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, the impartiality of their assessment. Examples include recent collaboration with an author, close personal or professional relationships, direct competition, financial interests, or other circumstances that may create a conflict.
If a conflict of interest becomes apparent after a reviewer has accepted an invitation or started the review, the reviewer must promptly notify the Editor. The Editor may withdraw the reviewer from the process and appoint another independent reviewer when necessary.
3. Conflicts of Interest for Editors and Journal Staff
Editors and journal staff must identify and disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest relating to a manuscript they are assigned to handle. An Editor or staff member must not participate in editorial decision-making, peer-review management, or other activities where a conflict of interest may affect or appear to affect impartiality.
Where an Editor has a conflict of interest, the manuscript should be reassigned to another qualified Editor who has no relevant conflict. Editors must also recuse themselves from handling manuscripts submitted by themselves, close collaborators, or individuals with whom they have a relationship that could compromise the independence of the editorial process.
4. Management of Conflicts of Interest
The Editor is responsible for assessing disclosed conflicts of interest and determining appropriate measures to protect the integrity and impartiality of the editorial process. Depending on the nature and significance of the conflict, appropriate measures may include requesting further disclosure, assigning an alternative reviewer or Editor, requiring recusal, or taking other measures necessary to prevent the conflict from affecting the publication decision.
Disclosure of a conflict of interest does not necessarily constitute misconduct or prevent publication. The relevant conflict will be assessed based on its nature, potential impact, and whether appropriate measures can be implemented to maintain an independent and transparent editorial process.
5. Conflicts of Interest Identified After Publication
If a conflict of interest is identified after publication, the authors, reviewers, editors, or other relevant parties should promptly inform the editorial team and provide the available information. JAEDC will assess the matter and determine whether a correction, editorial notice, expression of concern, retraction, or other action is appropriate, depending on the nature and significance of the conflict and its potential effect on the published work.
Where necessary, the journal may request relevant documentation or clarification from the authors or their affiliated institutions. Any post-publication action will be handled in accordance with the journal’s Publication Ethics policy and relevant COPE guidance.
6. Transparency and Publication of Disclosure
JAEDC requires authors to provide a Conflict of Interest Statement as part of the manuscript submission. The statement will be included in the published article where applicable. Authors should clearly state either the existence of relevant conflicts of interest or that no conflicts of interest exist.
Confidential information disclosed by reviewers or editors for the purpose of managing conflicts of interest will not be published unless disclosure is necessary for an ethical or editorial action and is consistent with applicable confidentiality requirements. Information concerning conflicts of interest will be handled in a manner that protects the confidentiality and integrity of the editorial and peer-review process.
JAEDC may also restrict or reassign the involvement of editors, reviewers, or other individuals who have a conflict of interest with a submitted manuscript to ensure that editorial and peer-review decisions remain independent and impartial.
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