Global Sport Business Journal

The Global Sport Business Journal (GSBJ) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity throughout the scholarly publishing process. Our editors, reviewers, authors, and editorial board members share responsibility for ensuring that published research is accurate, ethical, transparent, and contributes meaningfully to the advancement of sport business scholarship.

GSBJ follows the principles and recommendations established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and supports responsible, transparent, and ethical scholarly publishing.

Research Integrity

GSBJ expects all published work to be conducted and reported with integrity. Authors are expected to demonstrate:

Honesty in the design, conduct, and reporting of research; Accuracy and rigor in research methods and analysis; Transparency regarding methods, data, and limitations; Respect for research participants and ethical research practices; and Accountability for the validity of the work submitted for publication.

Concerns regarding the integrity of published or submitted manuscripts should be communicated to the Editor-in-Chief. Allegations will be investigated in accordance with COPE recommendations and, when appropriate, in consultation with the authors' institutions.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently and solely on the scholarly merit of submitted manuscripts. Editorial decisions will not be influenced by commercial interests, institutional affiliations, political viewpoints, financial relationships, or personal considerations.

GSBJ is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive publication process. Manuscripts are evaluated without regard to an author's race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, institutional affiliation, citizenship, professional rank, or political philosophy.

Duties of Editors

Editors serve as stewards of the journal and are responsible for maintaining a fair, efficient, and rigorous peer review process while ensuring the overall quality of published scholarship.

Editors are responsible for:

Evaluating submissions based on originality, scholarly quality, clarity, methodological rigor, and relevance to the journal's mission. Determining whether manuscripts should proceed to peer review or be declined without external review if clearly outside the journal's scope or quality standards. Maintaining confidentiality throughout the review process. Selecting qualified reviewers with appropriate expertise. Communicating decisions in a timely and professional manner. Informing authors of review progress whenever delays occur. Addressing allegations of publication misconduct appropriately. Ensuring that manuscripts are not under simultaneous consideration elsewhere.

Editors shall not disclose information regarding submitted manuscripts except to individuals directly involved in the editorial or peer review process.

When research misconduct is suspected, editors will first communicate with the corresponding author before contacting institutional officials when appropriate.

Editorial Conflicts of Interest

Editors must avoid both actual and perceived conflicts of interest.

Editors should recuse themselves from handling manuscripts submitted by:

Current or recent collaborators; Current or former students; Colleagues from the same institution; Family members or close personal associates; or Any author where impartial editorial judgment may reasonably be questioned.

Any relevant editorial conflicts of interest should be disclosed and managed appropriately.

Peer Review

GSBJ utilizes a double-anonymous peer review process for research manuscripts unless otherwise specified by the journal.

Each submission deemed appropriate for review is evaluated by at least two qualified reviewers selected for their expertise. Reviewer recommendations inform editorial decisions but do not determine publication independently.

Reviewers are expected to:

Maintain strict confidentiality; Evaluate manuscripts objectively and professionally; Provide constructive, evidence-based feedback; Complete reviews within the requested timeframe; Declare any conflicts of interest; and Notify the editor if research misconduct is suspected.

Reviewers should not retain, distribute, or copy submitted manuscripts for any purpose outside the review process.

Authors may suggest potential reviewers; however, final reviewer selection remains solely at the discretion of the editors.

GSBJ encourages reviewers to follow the ethical guidance established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Authorship

Authorship should be limited to individuals who have made substantial scholarly contributions to the conception, design, execution, analysis, interpretation, drafting, or critical revision of the manuscript.

All listed authors must:

Approve the submitted version; Accept responsibility for the integrity of the work; Agree to its submission for publication; and Cooperate with editors should questions arise after publication.

Individuals whose contributions do not meet authorship criteria should be recognized appropriately in an acknowledgments section with their permission.

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the editorial office, coordinating revisions among coauthors, ensuring author approval of the final manuscript, and responding to post-publication inquiries.

Originality and Plagiarism

Submitted manuscripts must represent original scholarly work that has not been previously published and is not simultaneously under consideration by another publication.

All sources, ideas, data, figures, and previously published material must be properly cited.

GSBJ considers plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated citations, and inappropriate use of generative artificial intelligence without disclosure to constitute violations of publication ethics.

Manuscripts may be screened using plagiarism detection software. Confirmed plagiarism may result in immediate rejection or post-publication retraction.

Human Subjects Research

Research involving human participants must have received approval from the appropriate institutional ethics review board or equivalent committee where required.

Authors should confirm that informed consent was obtained when applicable and that participant privacy and confidentiality have been protected throughout the research process.

Conflicts of Interest and Funding

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence the research or publication process.

Potential conflicts may include financial relationships, consulting activities, employment, grants, ownership interests, personal relationships, or organizational affiliations.

Authors must also disclose all funding sources supporting the research.

Data Transparency

GSBJ encourages transparency regarding data, analytical procedures, software, and supporting materials whenever feasible.

Authors should retain research data and documentation sufficient to verify published findings and provide reasonable access when requested, subject to ethical, legal, or confidentiality restrictions.

Copyright and Access

Authors retain copyright to their published work unless otherwise specified by journal policy.

Published articles may be distributed according to the licensing terms established by the journal.

Freedom of Expression

GSBJ supports academic freedom and open scholarly dialogue while maintaining standards of accuracy, professionalism, and evidence-based discourse.

The journal will not knowingly publish defamatory statements or content intended to harm individuals or organizations through false or misleading claims.

Research Misconduct

Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

Plagiarism; Data fabrication or falsification; Duplicate publication; Misappropriation of intellectual property; Improper authorship attribution; Undisclosed conflicts of interest; and Other forms of scholarly deception.

Editors will investigate allegations fairly and confidentially, providing authors an opportunity to respond before any determination is made.

Where appropriate, editors may consult authors' institutions or funding agencies during investigations.

Responses to Misconduct

Depending on the severity of the violation, editorial responses may include:

Educational communication clarifying publication standards; Formal written warning; Notification of institutional officials or funding agencies; Rejection of the manuscript; Temporary prohibition from future submissions; Publication of a correction or expression of concern; or Retraction of the published article and notification of indexing services. Corrections and Retractions

When errors are identified after publication, GSBJ will issue corrections, corrigenda, errata, expressions of concern, or retractions as appropriate and consistent with COPE guidance.

Retractions will be reserved for cases in which published findings are determined to be unreliable because of serious error or misconduct.

Integrity of the Scholarly Record

GSBJ is committed to preserving the integrity and permanence of the scholarly record. When corrections or retractions are necessary, the publication record will remain transparent by clearly documenting all post-publication changes while preserving the historical record of publication.

Transparency

GSBJ is committed to transparency throughout the editorial and publication process. Journal policies, peer review procedures, publication requirements, ethical standards, and editorial responsibilities will remain publicly available and periodically reviewed to ensure alignment with evolving best practices in scholarly publishing.