Appeals and Complaints

Editorial Governance

Appeals and Complaints Policy

Journal of Accounting and Management (JAM) · e-ISSN 3048-345X

JAM provides documented, independent routes for challenging an editorial or post-publication decision and for reporting concerns about policy, conduct, service, privacy, fees, ethics, or publisher practice. Good-faith criticism and an unsuccessful appeal are not misconduct.

1. Correct Route

Editorial appeal Challenges a specific decision because of a material factual error, overlooked evidence, unmanaged conflict, discrimination, or substantial procedural departure.
Formal complaint Concerns journal policy, delay, communication, staff or reviewer conduct, privacy, fees, accessibility, ethics, or publisher practice.
Scientific discussion Evidence-based criticism or interpretation of a published article follows the Post-Publication Discussion Policy, not this page.
Integrity allegation Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, manipulated review, or unethical research follows the research-misconduct procedure.

2. Submission

Submit one consolidated appeal normally within 30 calendar days of the decision through OJS or the official contact page. Include the manuscript ID or DOI, decision and date, specific grounds, evidence, requested remedy, relevant correspondence, conflicts, and the authors' agreed position. Complaints should include a concise chronology, policy or conduct at issue, evidence, previous attempts to resolve it, and requested outcome.

3. Independent Process and Timeframe

  1. JAM normally acknowledges a sufficiently identified matter within seven working days.
  2. The journal classifies the matter, checks conflicts, and appoints a handler who did not make the disputed decision and is not the subject of the complaint.
  3. The handler reviews the manuscript, reports, system records, correspondence, policy, and evidence and may obtain independent advice.
  4. A person whose decision or conduct is questioned normally receives the material concern and a reasonable opportunity to respond.
  5. JAM aims to communicate a reasoned outcome within 30 working days after receiving sufficient information. Complex institutional, legal, or technical cases may take longer, with proportionate status updates.
  6. The outcome and any corrective, administrative, training, referral, or policy action are implemented and recorded.

4. Escalation and Outcomes

A concern about a handling editor is reviewed by an uninvolved senior editor. A concern about the Editor-in-Chief is referred to an independent publisher or university representative. A concern about the publisher is referred to an uninvolved senior university authority or independent adviser.

Possible outcomes include upholding the decision with reasons, reopening consideration, appointing a new editor or reviewer, correcting an error, providing an explanation or apology, changing a workflow or policy, publishing a post-publication notice, or referring the matter to a competent institution or authority.

5. Final Internal Review

Normally one substantive appeal is permitted per decision. A final internal review may be requested within 14 calendar days only when the appeal outcome itself contains a significant factual error, undisclosed conflict, or serious procedural defect. After that review, JAM's internal process is concluded without limiting lawful external remedies.

Policy owner: Editorial Board and Publisher, Journal of Accounting and Management (JAM) · Policy version: August 2026.