The International Journal of Management Science and Operations Research (IJMSOR) defines a conflict of interest as any personal, academic, institutional, or financial relationship that may influence—or be perceived to influence—the objectivity, integrity, or impartiality in the preparation, evaluation, or publication of a manuscript.

To ensure transparency and scientific credibility, IJMSOR requires all participants in the editorial process—authors, editors, and reviewers—to explicitly disclose any real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

 

 1. Disclosure of conflicts of interest by authors: Authors must:

• Disclose any financial, institutional, or personal relationships that may influence the results or interpretation of the study
• Report funding sources, sponsorships, or institutional support
• Declare affiliations with organizations that may benefit from or be affected by the publication

If conflicts of interest exist, this information will be communicated to the editorial team and, when appropriate, to reviewers during the evaluation process.

Conflict of interest statements will be published as part of the final article to ensure transparency.

 2. Conflicts of interest in reviewers: Reviewers must decline participation when:

• There is a personal, professional, or institutional relationship with the authors
• They have been involved in closely related research
• There are financial or academic interests that could compromise objectivity

In such cases, reviewers must notify the editor and decline the review invitation.

 3. Conflicts of interest in the editorial team: Editors must:

• Refrain from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist
• Delegate editorial responsibility to an independent editor when necessary
• Ensure decisions are based solely on scientific merit

Failure to comply undermines editorial integrity.

 4. Documentation requirements: To ensure transparency, IJMSOR requires authors to submit at the time of manuscript submission:

• A formal conflict of interest disclosure statement
• Information regarding funding sources
• Copyright and publication license documentation

These requirements are part of the initial editorial screening process.

 5. Management of conflicts of interest: In cases of undisclosed or controversial conflicts:

• The editorial team will act in accordance with COPE guidelines
• Actions may include suspension of the editorial process, rejection, or retraction
• Institutions may be notified when appropriate

 6. Transparency principles: IJMSOR promotes:

• Full and honest disclosure of interests
• Independence in scientific evaluation
• Trust in the editorial process

Proper conflict of interest management is essential to preserve academic integrity and the credibility of the journal.