Publication ethics

Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) adopts the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines “promoting integrity in research and its publication” (https://publicationethics.org) and “core practices” (https://publicationethics.org/core-practices).

 

Standards for Editorial Board, Authors, Reviewers

Standards for Editorial Board

Editors and the Editorial Board are required to follow the international standards for their Editorial duties:

  • The Editorial Board must keep information about all submitted manuscripts confidential.
  • The Editorial Board is responsible for making publication decisions for submitted manuscripts.
  • The Editorial Board must strive to meet the needs of readers and authors.
  • The Editorial Board must evaluate manuscripts only for their intellectual content.
  • The Editorial Board must strive to constantly improve their journals.
  • The Editorial Board must maintain the integrity of the academic record.
  • The Editorial Board must disclose any conflicts of interest and preclude business needs from compromising intellectual and ethical standards.
  • The Editorial Board must always be willing to publish corrections, clarifications, retractions, and apologies when needed.

 

Standards for Authors

Additionally, authors must be responsible and follow strict ethical protocols widely accepted when submitting their manuscripts for consideration. The authors have accepted and declared the following;

  • Manuscripts submitted are original and have not been previously published anywhere, except as an academic thesis, published lecture, abstract, and preprint.
  • The work submitted to the journal is approved by all contributors
  • The published work will not be submitted elsewhere or translated to another language for publication
  • Authors listed in the work have made substantial contributions during the design of the study, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, drafting of the work, and approving the final version for submission
  • Any further changes to the author list during peer review and after publication, approval must be given by the journal editor. This may result to corrigendum, rejection, and possible retraction (for unauthorized author changes)

 

Authorship Principles

These guidelines outline the principles and best practices for authorship that prospective authors should follow. Authors are highly encouraged to include their ORCID ID when submitting an article for review. Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business assumes that all authors have agreed to the content, given explicit consent to submit, and obtained approval from the relevant authorities at their institution or organisation before submission.

Authors should follow the authorship guidelines specific to their research field. If no specific guidelines exist, the following should be adhered to:

  1. All listed authors must have made significant contributions to the conception or design of the work, data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation, or the creation of new software used in the work.
  2. Authors must have drafted the work or critically revised it for important intellectual content.
  3. Authors must have approved the final version to be published.
  4. Authors must agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work, ensuring that any questions regarding the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are properly investigated and resolved.

The publisher, Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals-Ghana, encourages collaboration with colleagues in the locations where the research is conducted and expects their inclusion as co-authors if they meet all authorship criteria. Contributors who do not meet all authorship criteria should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgements section.

Authors should treat all communication with the Journal as confidential, including correspondence with Journal representatives such as Editors-in-Chief, Handling Editors, and reviewers, unless explicit consent has been given to share the information.

One author is designated as the Corresponding Author, acting on behalf of all co-authors to ensure that any questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are addressed. The Corresponding Author is responsible for:

  • Ensuring all listed authors have approved the manuscript before submission, including the names and order of authors.
  • Managing all communication between the Journal and co-authors before and after publication.
  • Providing transparency on the reuse of material and mentioning any unpublished material included in the manuscript in a cover letter to the Editor.
  • Ensuring that disclosures, declarations, and transparency on data statements from all authors are included in the manuscript as appropriate.

The task of managing communication between the Journal and co-authors during submission and proofing may be delegated to a Contact or Submitting Author, but the Corresponding Author must be clearly indicated in the manuscript.

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have significantly contributed to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All significant contributors should be listed as co-authors, while others who participated in substantial aspects of the research should be acknowledged as contributors. The corresponding author must ensure that all appropriate co-authors are included, that no inappropriate co-authors are listed, and that all co-authors have approved the final version of the paper and agreed to its submission.

Change of authorship

Authors should ensure the correct author group, Corresponding Author, and order of authors at submission. Any changes to the author list after submission must be approved by all authors and are not allowed after manuscript acceptance. Author names will be published as they appear on the accepted submission, so ensure names are correct and affiliations are current.

Adding or removing authors during revision is generally not permitted but may be allowed with an explanation and approval from the Editor-in-Chief. In case of an authorship dispute during peer review or after publication, the Journal will not intervene. Authors must resolve disputes themselves, or the Journal may withdraw the manuscript or raise the issue with the authors' institution(s).

 

Standards for Reviewers

Reviewers of the journal are also expected to meet the international standards for reviewers when they accept review invitations.

  • Reviewers must keep information about the manuscript confidential.
  • Reviewers must bring to the attention of the Editor Board any information that may be a reason to reject the publication of a manuscript.
  • Reviewers must evaluate manuscripts only for their intellectual content.
  • Reviewers must objectively evaluate the manuscripts based only on their originality, significance and relevance to the domains of the journal.
  • Reviewers must notify the Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals, Ghana of any conflicts of interest.

 

The use of generative AI and Inclusive language

Authors should also declare any financial or personal interests, funding sources, and the use of generative AI during the conceptualisation, design, and drafting of the work. Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) ascribes to the international laid down guidelines by publishers, guidelines by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and The European Commission on the use of generative AI in research. Authors must declare the following set of guidelines when generative AI is used during the writing process and not to draw ideas or insights within a research field:

  • Authors must remain ultimately responsible for scientific output. Authors are accountable for the integrity of the content generated by or with the support of AI tools.
  • Authors should develop the ability to verify the information and be especially capable of detecting citations of non-existent research papers.
  • Authors must not use fabricated material created by generative AI in the scientific process, for example falsifying, altering or manipulating original research data.
  • Pay particular attention to issues related to privacy, confidentiality and intellectual property rights when sharing sensitive or protected information with AI tools.
  • Use generative AI transparently. Researchers, to be transparent, detail which generative AI tools have been used substantially in their research processes.

Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) mandates authors to declare the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies when applied in scientific writing. Authors must add a statement about the use of generative AI at the end of the manuscript before the reference section. Such declarations are not applied when authors use basic AI tools for checking word spelling, and grammar.

The use of inclusive language is encouraged by authors in the drafting of their work. This will promote respect for all individuals irrespective of diversity and avoid any implication of one’s superiority over another.

We will continue to monitor the AI landscape and its role in academic publishing, and we will update our policies whenever necessary.

All authors who will publish their papers in the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business in forthcoming issues will be required to disclose the use of any AI tools in their academic writing. The use of AI is accepted generally for now, but full disclosure is necessary.

A sample declaration statement is captured in the journal's template is as follows: 

DECLARATION OF GENERATIVE AI AND AI-ASSISTED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE WRITING PROCESS

During the preparation of this work, the author(s) used [NAME TOOL / SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication.

 

Open Access

Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) refers authors to our open access information clearly stated in the About the Journal section.

 

Plagiarism Policy

The unethical act of copying someone else’s ideas, results, or words without acknowledging the original source or the author is known as plagiarism. Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business is strictly against any unethical act of copying or plagiarism in any form. Authors must remember that the context of their research is important when crediting previous authors for their work.

All manuscripts submitted for publication to the journal are cross-checked for plagiarism. When manuscripts are found to be plagiarized during the initial stages of review, they will automatically be rejected and not considered for publication. Manuscripts containing plagiarized materials are against the standards of quality, research, and innovation.

Authors are, therefore, advised to abide by the ethical standards of the journal and abstain from any form of plagiarism whatsoever.

 

Correction and Retraction Policies

Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) is committed to upholding the integrity of the literature and publishes Errata, Expressions of Concerns or Retraction Notices dependent on the situation and following the COPE Retraction Guidelines. In all cases, these notices are linked to the original article and other papers published. Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB) ascribes to the international guidelines laid down by publishers and the guidelines by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Retraction guidelines.

Whenever it is recognized that a significant inaccuracy, misleading statement, or distorted report has been published, it will be corrected with due prominence. This could take various forms:

  • For an item that has been published online, a corrected version with the same DOI will be made available. Only the new version will be available, PDF files will be updated with the corrections.
  • After an appropriate investigation, an item may be retracted.
  • Correction/retraction notices and errata will be written so that the reader can identify and understand the correction in context with the errors made or why the article is being retracted.
  • Correction/retraction notices and errata will be published in a form that enables indexing and abstracting services to identify and link corrections and retractions.
  • A notice of duplicate publication will reference both of the duplicate articles.

Authors are also advised to read the Crossmark policy for the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business (JSFB).

 

Paper Corrections

JSFB encourages readers and authors to notify us if they find errors. We undertake to work with authors to correct significant published errors. The Editors of the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business will determine if an error will be corrected. We will consider issuing a correction if:

  • The scientific record is seriously affected, for example, with regard to the scientific accuracy of published information.
  • A small portion of an otherwise reliable publication proves to be misleading (especially because of honest error).
  • The author/contributor/funder list is incorrect (i.e. a deserving author has been omitted, or somebody who does not meet authorship criteria has been included, or there is an error in the funding information section).

Whilst we welcome feedback, not all errors will need correction. We will not usually publish a correction that does not affect the contribution in a material way, or, if the issue does not significantly impair the reader's understanding of the contribution, e.g. a spelling mistake or grammatical error.

 

Paper retractions

We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record, and thus, sometimes it may be necessary to retract articles. We follow the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Retraction guidelines and will consider issuing a retraction notice if:

  • We have clear evidence that the findings are unreliable, either as a result of major error (e.g. miscalculation or experimental error), or as a result of fabrication (e.g. of data) or falsification (e.g. image manipulation).
  • It constitutes plagiarism.
  • The findings have previously been published elsewhere without proper attribution to previous sources or disclosure to the editor, permission to republish, or justification (i.e. cases of redundant publication).
  • It contains material or data without authorization for use.
  • Copyright has been infringed, or there is some other serious legal issue (e.g. libel, privacy).
  • It reports unethical research.
  • It has been published solely on the basis of a compromised or manipulated peer review process.
  • The author(s) failed to disclose a major competing interest or conflict of interest that, in the view of the editor, would have unduly affected the interpretations of the work or recommendations by editors and peer reviewers.

The article to be retracted will be identified by including the words ‘Retracted’ at the beginning of the title and will be listed in the relevant table of contents. The retraction notice will cite and link to the original electronic publication and enable indexing and abstracting services to identify it.

 

Removal of Published Content

In exceptional cases, the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business may remove an article from its website if the content is defamatory, infringes on intellectual property or privacy rights, is unlawful, or poses a serious health risk. This action can be based on advice, court orders, or government directives. Removal can be temporary or permanent. Bibliographic metadata will be retained with a statement explaining the removal.

 

Citation manipulation policy

Research and non-research articles must cite relevant literature to support their claims. Inappropriate citation practices, such as excessive self-citation, coordinated self-citation among authors, and unnecessary citation of articles from the same journal, are not allowed.

  • Excessive self-citation: Authors citing their own work excessively to boost citation counts.
  • Journal self-citation: Authors citing articles from the same journal to increase its impact factor.
  • Coercive citation: Reviewers or editors requiring authors to cite specific articles for publication.

Such practices can lead to article rejection and may be reported to the authors' institutions. Authors should follow these guidelines:

  • Cite external sources for statements not based on their own new ideas or general knowledge.
  • Avoid citing derivative works; cite original sources instead.
  • Ensure citations are accurate and relevant.
  • Do not cite sources that have not been read.
  • Avoid preferentially citing their own or their peers' work.
  • Avoid citing work solely from one country.
  • Do not use excessive citations for a single point.
  • Preferably cite peer-reviewed sources.
  • Do not cite advertisements or advertorial material.

Any attempts by peer reviewers or editors to encourage inappropriate citation practices should be reported to the publisher or Editor-in-Chief.

 

Data falsification/fabrication

Fabrication or falsification of data is strictly prohibited. If such an act is discovered, the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business will retract the publication and inform the relevant parties. If the editor is made aware of any allegation of research misconduct, the editor will follow COPE’s guidelines in dealing with allegations of research misconduct.

 

Complaints and appeals

For appeals to editorial decisions, complaints about process failures (e.g., long delays), and publication ethics issues, the procedure is as follows: Initially, the complaint should be addressed by the Editor-in-Chief(s) and/or the Editor who handled the paper. If the complaint involves the Editor-in-Chief(s) or the handling Editor, contact the in-house publishing representative.

Complaint about scientific content, e.g. an appeal against rejection
The Editor-in-Chief or Handling Editor reviews the authors' argument and reviewer reports to decide if:

  • The rejection decision should remain
  • An independent opinion is needed
  • The appeal should be considered

The complainant is informed of the decision with an explanation if appropriate. Appeal decisions are final, and new submissions take priority over appeals.

Complaint about processes, e.g. time taken to review 
The Editor-in-Chief, along with the Handling Editor and/or in-house contact, will investigate the issue. The complainant will receive appropriate feedback, which is also shared with relevant stakeholders to improve processes and procedures.

 

Conflicts of interest / competing interests

JSFB's disclosure and conflict of interest policy ensures that manuscript content and reviewer evaluations are unbiased. Authors must disclose any potential conflicts, such as personal relationships or financial dependencies. Reviewers must also disclose conflicts and recuse themselves if necessary. The Editor-in-Chief will determine if a reviewer with a declared conflict can proceed.

Upon submission, authors must disclose funding sources and any affiliations or financial involvement with entities that have a financial interest in the manuscript's subject matter. Examples include employment, advisory roles, ownership of shares, expert testimony, grants, patents, and royalties. All relevant conflicts of interest must be publicly disclosed in the manuscript's "Conflict of Interest Statement" section.

 

Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

Research involving human subjects must be approved by the Human Subjects/Studies Organisation or Committee within the lead author's organisation, and this compliance must be stated in the manuscript. This requirement does not apply to conceptual or empirical manuscripts that do not involve human data collection. Data collection can be qualitative or quantitative. Authors should check with the Human Subjects organisation regarding secondary data collected by third parties to determine if review and approval are needed. If including identification information is necessary for scientific purposes, permission from the institution’s Human Subjects/Studies Review organisation must be obtained, and such information must be disclosed in compliance with their requirements.

The editor will ensure the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and the review process. The editor and any other editorial staff will not disclose information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and any other editorial advisers. Reviewers must not use the information or ideas obtained during the review process for their own benefit or for the benefit of others.

 

Data sharing

Data availability statements are required for all articles published in the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business. During the peer-review and editorial decision process, authors can be asked to share existing datasets or raw data that have been analysed in the manuscript and whether they will be made available to other researchers following publication. Authors will also be asked for the details of any existing datasets that have been analysed in the manuscript.

 

Intellectual property

For articles published in the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business, authors retain copyright. Articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, allowing free access, reuse, and citation with proper credit to the original version.

Authors must obtain permission to reproduce previously published material not in the public domain or for which they do not hold copyright. Permission is required for:

  • Work published by other publishers where copyright was not retained.
  • Substantial extracts from others' works.
  • Use of unaltered or slightly modified tables, graphs, charts, schemes, and artworks.
  • Photographs not owned by the author.

Permission is not required for:

  • Reconstructed tables with cited data.
  • Very short quotes (fair use).
  • Redrawn and significantly altered graphs, charts, schemes, and artworks, though underlying data permissions may be needed.

Once permission is obtained, follow the copyright holder's instructions for acknowledgment or use the recommended style: “Reproduced with permission from [author], [book/journal title]; published by [publisher], [year].”

 

Special Issue Policy

A special issue is a compilation of papers centred on a particular research topic within the scope of the Journal of Sustainable Fashion Business. These papers must adhere to the journal's regular standards, editorial policies, and peer review processes. Manuscripts submitted for special issues undergo the same rigorous and independent peer review as regular submissions, with the final acceptance decision made by the editor-in-chief. Special issue papers are published within the regular issues of the journal.

The Editor-in-Chief manages all aspects of special issues, including evaluating proposals and assessing the qualifications of guest editors. Guest editors have several responsibilities:

  • Identifying and inviting potential authors with the editorial team's assistance.
  • Collaborating with the editor-in-chief and other guest editors to invite authors and address queries related to the special issue.
  • Ensuring timely submission and publication by adhering to the set timeframe.
  • Reviewing submitted manuscripts.
  • Organizing the order of papers, writing an editorial summary, and providing any additional information required by the editorial team.
  • Promoting the special issue.

Guest editors are expected to perform their duties impartially and fairly, without discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, ethnicity, or geographical origin.