The International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics, academic integrity, and responsible scholarly communication. Originality, transparency, and ethical research practices are fundamental principles of the journal. Accordingly, IJBITA maintains a strict policy against plagiarism, research misconduct, fabrication, falsification, duplicate publication, and any unauthorized use of intellectual property.

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of another person's intellectual work as one's own without proper acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to, copying text verbatim without appropriate citation, paraphrasing published material without attribution, reproducing figures, tables, images, datasets, software code, or research methodologies without permission or acknowledgment, misappropriating research findings, and self-plagiarism through the reuse of previously published content without adequate disclosure or citation. Any form of plagiarism or unethical appropriation of scholarly work constitutes a serious breach of academic and publishing ethics.

Every manuscript submitted to IJBITA undergoes a comprehensive originality assessment using internationally recognized plagiarism detection software, including Turnitin, iThenticate, or comparable similarity-checking systems, before it enters the peer-review process. Similarity reports are evaluated carefully by the Editorial Office to differentiate acceptable scholarly overlap from unethical duplication. Authors are solely responsible for ensuring that their submissions are original, properly referenced, and fully compliant with copyright and intellectual property regulations.

Where minor citation deficiencies or unintentional similarity issues are identified, authors may be invited to revise their manuscripts before further editorial consideration. However, manuscripts containing substantial plagiarism, fabricated or falsified data, unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted material, or other serious ethical violations will be rejected immediately. If misconduct is discovered after publication, IJBITA reserves the right to retract the article, publish a formal retraction notice, remove the article from its official records where appropriate, and notify relevant institutions, funding agencies, or professional bodies when necessary. Authors responsible for serious or repeated ethical violations may also be restricted from future submissions to the journal.

As part of the manuscript submission process, all authors must certify that the submitted work is original, has not been published previously, is not under review elsewhere, and appropriately acknowledges all sources of information. Authors must further confirm that every listed co-author has made a substantial scholarly contribution, reviewed and approved the final manuscript, and agreed to its submission for publication.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy

IJBITA recognizes the growing role of artificial intelligence technologies in modern scholarly research and supports their responsible and transparent use. Authors may employ AI-assisted applications such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Grammarly, or comparable technologies to assist with language editing, grammar improvement, coding support, data organization, literature exploration, or idea generation. Nevertheless, AI tools should be regarded only as supportive technologies and must not replace human intellectual responsibility.

The authors retain full accountability for every aspect of the submitted manuscript, including its accuracy, originality, interpretation of findings, ethical compliance, and scientific integrity. AI systems cannot be recognized as authors because they cannot assume legal or ethical responsibility, approve the final manuscript, disclose conflicts of interest, or satisfy internationally accepted authorship criteria.

Manuscripts that are wholly or substantially generated by artificial intelligence without meaningful human intellectual contribution will not be considered for publication. Authors are expected to exercise independent critical thinking, scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and scholarly judgment throughout the research and writing process.

Failure to disclose substantial AI assistance or the submission of fabricated, misleading, or AI-generated content presented as original scholarship may result in rejection, retraction, or other editorial actions consistent with the journal's ethical policies.

Authors who disagree with a plagiarism assessment or an editorial decision relating to AI usage may submit a written appeal to the Editorial Office. All appeals will be reviewed impartially by the Editorial Board of IJBITA, with decisions based on internationally recognized publication ethics, supporting evidence, and principles of fairness and due process.

Through this policy, the International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding academic integrity, protecting intellectual property, promoting ethical research practices, encouraging the responsible use of emerging technologies, and publishing original, reliable, and impactful research that advances business integrity, ethical governance, digital innovation, and technology-driven organizational excellence.

Overview

The International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) is dedicated to promoting excellence in scholarly publishing through a transparent, rigorous, and ethical peer review process. Peer review is the cornerstone of the journal's quality assurance system, ensuring that every published article meets internationally accepted standards of originality, scientific rigor, methodological quality, ethical compliance, and academic significance.

IJBITA is committed to publishing innovative and impactful research in the fields of business integrity, ethical governance, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, information systems, business analytics, cybersecurity, financial technologies, sustainable innovation, and other emerging interdisciplinary areas. The journal's peer review process safeguards the credibility of published research while supporting continuous scholarly improvement through constructive expert evaluation.

Double-Blind Peer Review

IJBITA follows a double-blind peer review system to maintain fairness, confidentiality, and impartiality throughout the editorial process. The identities of authors and reviewers remain anonymous to one another from submission until the final editorial decision. This review model minimizes conscious or unconscious bias arising from institutional affiliation, nationality, gender, professional relationships, or academic reputation, ensuring that manuscripts are assessed solely on their scholarly merit.

Initial Editorial Assessment

Every manuscript submitted to IJBITA undergoes a preliminary editorial evaluation before external peer review. During this stage, the Editorial Office determines whether the submission:

• Falls within the aims and scope of the journal.
• Complies with the journal's submission and formatting guidelines.
• Demonstrates sufficient academic quality and originality.
• Meets ethical publishing standards.
• Satisfies language and presentation requirements.

All submissions are screened using recognized plagiarism detection software, including Turnitin, iThenticate, or equivalent similarity-checking tools. Manuscripts that fail to meet the journal's editorial or ethical standards may be declined without being sent for peer review.

Reviewer Selection

Manuscripts that successfully pass the editorial screening are assigned to at least two independent reviewers possessing relevant expertise in the manuscript's subject area. Reviewers are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, publication record, and professional competence.

To preserve the integrity of the review process, reviewers must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest involving the authors, institutions, funding bodies, or research collaborators. Where such conflicts exist, alternative reviewers will be appointed.

Review Criteria

Reviewers are invited to provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based evaluations by considering the following aspects of each manuscript:

• Originality and novelty of the research.
• Relevance to the journal's scope.
• Importance and contribution to theory and practice.
• Soundness of research design and methodology.
• Quality of data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Clarity, organization, and readability.
• Accuracy and completeness of references.
• Ethical compliance and research integrity.
• Practical implications and future research potential.

Following their assessment, reviewers typically recommend one of the following editorial outcomes:

• Accept
• Accept with Minor Revisions
• Major Revisions Required
• Reject

Reviewer recommendations are advisory, and the final publication decision rests with the editorial team.

Editorial Decision Process

The final editorial decision is made by the Handling Editor or Editor-in-Chief after carefully considering reviewers' reports, editorial evaluations, and the overall quality of the manuscript.

Where revisions are requested, authors receive anonymized reviewer comments and are expected to submit a revised manuscript together with a detailed response explaining how each comment has been addressed. Revised manuscripts may be returned to the original reviewers when further evaluation is necessary.

The Editorial Board reserves the right to accept, request revisions, or reject any manuscript based on scholarly merit and compliance with the journal's publication standards.

Peer Review Timeline

IJBITA strives to provide authors with a timely and efficient review experience while maintaining the highest standards of academic quality.

The typical peer review process is completed within 4 to 8 weeks, although the duration may vary depending on manuscript complexity, reviewer availability, and the time required for revisions. Authors are encouraged to respond promptly to editorial communications to facilitate timely publication.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Reviewers play a vital role in preserving the integrity and quality of scholarly publishing. IJBITA expects reviewers to perform their duties with professionalism, confidentiality, impartiality, and respect.

Reviewers are expected to:

• Maintain complete confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts.
• Provide objective, constructive, and evidence-based feedback.
• Evaluate manuscripts solely on academic merit.
• Identify relevant published literature that may have been overlooked.
• Report suspected plagiarism, data manipulation, duplicate publication, or ethical concerns.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest before accepting a review assignment.
• Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe whenever possible.

Personal criticism, discriminatory language, inappropriate remarks, or biased evaluations are strictly unacceptable.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors who believe that an editorial decision was influenced by factual errors, procedural irregularities, or unfair evaluation may submit a formal written appeal to the Editorial Office.

Appeals are reviewed independently by the Editorial Board and, where appropriate, may involve consultation with additional expert reviewers. The decision reached after the appeal process shall be considered final.

Publication Ethics

IJBITA adheres to internationally recognized principles of responsible scholarly publishing and follows the ethical guidance established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Authors, reviewers, and editors are expected to uphold the principles of honesty, transparency, accountability, confidentiality, and professional responsibility throughout every stage of the publication process.

The journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward:

• Plagiarism
• Data fabrication
• Data falsification
• Duplicate or redundant publication
• Citation manipulation
• Authorship misconduct
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest
• Unethical research practices

Confirmed violations may result in manuscript rejection, article retraction, publication of correction notices, notification of affiliated institutions, and other appropriate editorial actions.

Reviewer Recognition

IJBITA sincerely appreciates the valuable contributions made by peer reviewers in maintaining the scientific quality and reputation of the journal.

To recognize their service, the journal may:

• Issue electronic Peer Review Certificates upon request.
• Publish an annual list of reviewers who consent to public acknowledgment.
• Invite outstanding reviewers to join the Editorial Board or Advisory Board.
• Provide additional recognition through reviewer excellence initiatives based on review quality, expertise, and timeliness.

Conclusion

The peer review process is fundamental to the mission of the International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA). By implementing a rigorous double-blind review system supported by internationally accepted ethical standards, IJBITA ensures that every published article demonstrates originality, academic excellence, methodological rigor, and meaningful scholarly impact.

Through collaboration among authors, reviewers, editors, and the wider academic community, the journal remains committed to advancing high-quality research that promotes business integrity, ethical governance, technological innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable organizational development on a global scale.

COPE Compliance Statement

The International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and follows the principles, Core Practices, and best practice guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The journal expects editors, reviewers, authors, and the publisher to uphold integrity, transparency, accountability, fairness, and ethical conduct throughout every stage of the publication process.

Editorial Responsibilities

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board evaluate submitted manuscripts solely on the basis of their academic merit, originality, scientific quality, methodological rigor, significance, and relevance to the journal's aims and scope. Editorial decisions are made without discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, institutional affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs.

Editors are responsible for ensuring that the peer review process is fair, objective, confidential, and free from conflicts of interest.

Editors will:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts.
• Ensure impartial, timely, and rigorous peer review.
• Select qualified reviewers based on expertise.
• Prevent conflicts of interest in editorial decision-making.
• Address allegations of research misconduct promptly and fairly.
• Issue corrections, retractions, expressions of concern, or withdrawals when necessary to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

Author Responsibilities

Authors submitting manuscripts to IJBITA must ensure that:

• Their work is original and has not been published or submitted simultaneously to another journal.
• All sources, data, figures, and ideas from other authors are properly cited and acknowledged.
• Research data are accurate, authentic, complete, and honestly reported.
• Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication, redundant publication, and data manipulation are strictly prohibited.
• All listed authors have made substantial scholarly contributions to the research and approve the submitted version.
• Funding sources, acknowledgements, and potential conflicts of interest are fully disclosed.
• Ethical approval and informed consent have been obtained where research involves human participants, animals, or sensitive data.
• Significant errors discovered after publication are immediately reported to the editorial office so appropriate corrections can be made.

Reviewer Responsibilities

Peer reviewers play an essential role in maintaining the scientific quality and credibility of the journal. Reviewers are expected to:

• Review manuscripts objectively, fairly, constructively, and professionally.
• Maintain strict confidentiality throughout the review process.
• Identify relevant published work not cited by the authors.
• Report suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, ethical concerns, or research misconduct.
• Decline review invitations whenever conflicts of interest exist.
• Complete reviews within the agreed review period.

Reviewers must not use unpublished information obtained through peer review for personal, academic, or commercial advantage.

Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher supports editorial independence and ensures that editorial decisions remain free from commercial, institutional, or financial influence. The publisher collaborates with the editorial team to maintain high ethical publishing standards and addresses allegations of misconduct in accordance with COPE recommendations.

Research Misconduct

IJBITA maintains zero tolerance for research misconduct, including but not limited to:

• Plagiarism
• Self-plagiarism
• Duplicate submission
• Duplicate publication
• Data fabrication
• Data falsification
• Image manipulation
• Citation manipulation
• Authorship manipulation
• Peer review manipulation
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest

All allegations of misconduct will be investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines. Depending on the findings, actions may include:

• Immediate manuscript rejection
• Publication of corrections
• Expressions of concern
• Article retraction
• Notification of authors' institutions
• Notification of funding agencies or other appropriate authorities

Plagiarism Policy

All submitted manuscripts are screened using recognized plagiarism detection software before entering the peer review process. Manuscripts containing unacceptable levels of similarity, plagiarism, or improperly attributed content will be rejected. Authors are responsible for ensuring that all referenced material is appropriately cited and acknowledged.

Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, or personal relationships that could influence the research, peer review process, or editorial decisions. Appropriate measures will be taken whenever conflicts of interest are identified to safeguard the integrity and transparency of the publication process.

Data Integrity and Reproducibility

Authors should retain original research data for an appropriate period after publication and provide access to such data upon reasonable request to verify published findings. Whenever possible, authors are encouraged to deposit datasets in recognized public repositories to promote transparency, reproducibility, and future research.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

IJBITA follows COPE guidance regarding post-publication updates. When significant errors or ethical concerns are identified after publication, the journal may issue:

• Corrections (Errata or Corrigenda)
• Expressions of Concern
• Retractions
• Editorial Notes

Such actions are undertaken to maintain the integrity, transparency, and reliability of the scholarly record.

Confidentiality

Editors, reviewers, editorial staff, and publishers shall treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Information obtained during peer review shall not be disclosed to unauthorized individuals or used for personal, academic, or commercial benefit.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors who disagree with an editorial decision may submit a formal appeal supported by appropriate evidence. Appeals are independently reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or an appointed Editorial Committee. Complaints concerning editorial procedures, peer review, publication ethics, or journal management are handled fairly, transparently, and in accordance with COPE Core Practices.

Ethical Oversight

Research involving human participants, personal information, animals, biological materials, or other sensitive subjects must comply with internationally recognized ethical standards and institutional review requirements. Authors must provide evidence of ethical approval where applicable and confirm that informed consent has been obtained from participants or their legal representatives.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

The International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) is dedicated to promoting responsible research, scientific integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical scholarly communication. By submitting a manuscript to IJBITA, authors acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement and with the principles established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Author Guidelines

Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by an editor to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected.

Before making a submission, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country.

An editor may desk reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission.

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements.

• This submission meets the requirements outlined in the Author Guidelines .
• This submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.
• All references have been checked for accuracy and completeness.
• All tables and figures have been numbered and labeled.
• Permission has been obtained to publish all photos, datasets and other material provided with this submission.

Articles

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The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.

The International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal dedicated to publishing original, high-quality research that advances knowledge in business integrity, ethical governance, digital transformation, information technology, artificial intelligence, business analytics, cybersecurity, financial technologies, blockchain, data science, and sustainable organizational innovation. The journal provides a multidisciplinary platform for researchers, academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and practitioners to disseminate innovative research that addresses contemporary business and technological challenges from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

IJBITA welcomes a wide range of scholarly contributions, including original research articles, systematic literature reviews, review papers, case studies, technical reports, short communications, and interdisciplinary research. The journal particularly encourages studies that explore the intersection of ethical business practices with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, business intelligence, digital governance, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), financial technology (FinTech), data analytics, digital innovation, risk management, and technology-enabled organizational sustainability. Through rigorous double-blind peer review, IJBITA seeks to promote responsible innovation, research integrity, and evidence-based solutions that contribute to sustainable economic and technological development worldwide.

To support the journal's publishing infrastructure and ensure the delivery of high-quality editorial services, an Article Processing Charge (APC) of USD 200 is applicable to manuscripts that have been accepted for publication. The APC contributes to the costs associated with manuscript administration, double-blind peer review coordination, plagiarism screening, professional copyediting, language editing, typesetting, DOI registration, online publication, website maintenance, digital archiving, indexing support, and long-term preservation of published content.

The APC is payable only after a manuscript has successfully completed the peer-review process and has received formal acceptance from the Editorial Board. Payment of the APC has no influence on editorial decisions and does not guarantee publication. Every submission is assessed independently based on its originality, scientific quality, methodological rigor, relevance to the journal's scope, and compliance with internationally recognized ethical publishing standards.

For comprehensive information regarding manuscript submission, publication policies, ethical guidelines, APC payment procedures, author instructions, and editorial processes, prospective authors are encouraged to visit the official International Journal of Business Integrity and Technology Advancements (IJBITA) website or contact the Editorial Office for further assistance.