Peer Review Process

CONFLUENCE: Journal of Business, Economics & Governance applies a structured review procedure to ensure scholarly quality, topical relevance, and compliance with publication ethics. The review process is conducted through the following stages:

  1. Manuscript Submission
    Authors submit manuscripts via the journal system (OJS) in accordance with the journal template and author guidelines.

  2. Initial Editorial Screening
    The editor conducts a preliminary assessment to confirm that the manuscript:
    (a) fits the journal’s aims and scope,
    (b) meets basic formatting and structural requirements,
    (c) demonstrates sufficient scholarly contribution, and
    (d) complies with publication ethics (e.g., no redundant publication).

  3. Plagiarism/Similarity Check
    Manuscripts passing the initial screening undergo a similarity check. If unethical similarity is identified, the manuscript may be returned for correction or rejected.

  4. Peer Review (Blind Review)
    Eligible manuscripts are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise. Author and reviewer identities are kept confidential to support objective assessment (blind review). Reviewers evaluate originality, methodological rigor, analysis quality, argumentation, reference adequacy, and overall relevance.

  5. Editorial Decision
    Based on reviewers’ recommendations, the editor issues one of the following decisions:

    • Accept

    • Minor Revision

    • Major Revision

    • Reject

  6. Author Revision
    Authors revise the manuscript according to reviewer and editor comments and resubmit the revised version along with a response letter explaining how each comment has been addressed.

  7. Re-review (if required)
    For major revisions or substantial changes, the editor may send the manuscript back to reviewers to verify the adequacy of revisions.

  8. Copyediting and Layout
    Accepted manuscripts proceed to language/format editing and layout preparation. Authors may be requested to perform final proofreading prior to publication.

  9. Publication
    The final article is published in the scheduled journal issue.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest. Editors and reviewers treat all submitted manuscripts as confidential documents. Reviewers are expected to declare any potential conflict of interest and decline the review if objectivity may be compromised.