Conflict of Interest Policy

A conflict of interest, also referred to as a "competing interest," may arise when an author, their employer, or sponsor has a financial, commercial, legal, political, intellectual, or other relationship with organizations or individuals that could potentially influence the author’s research work. To uphold the integrity of the publication process, SMART MOVES JOURNAL IJELLH (SMJI) requires transparency and full disclosure of any potential conflicts.

Conflict of Interest Policy for Authors

Authors must declare that they have no competing financial, non-financial, or any other form of remuneration or profitable interest that could directly or indirectly affect, encourage, or influence the research work described in their manuscript.

Disclosure Requirements:

  • Any potential conflicts, whether personal, commercial, professional, political, or intellectual—hidden or open—must be disclosed at the time of submission.
  • Examples of potential conflicts include:
    • Financial interests such as funding, stock ownership, or employment.
    • Intellectual property rights or patents related to the study.
    • Any affiliations or relationships that may influence the research.

Failure to disclose a conflict of interest may result in the manuscript being rejected or retracted if the paper has already been published.

Conflict of Interest Policy for Reviewers

Reviewers are required to promptly notify the Editor-in-Chief if they identify any potential conflicts of interest.

Disclosure and Conduct Requirements:

  • Disclose any personal, commercial, professional, political, or intellectual relationships that may influence the review process.
  • Avoid reviewing manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists, including:
    • Collaborations or associations with the authors.
    • Financial or competitive relationships with the authors or institutions.
  • Refrain from requesting authors to cite their own published research for personal benefit.
  • Ensure confidentiality by not sharing any information about the assigned manuscript with anyone except the Editor-in-Chief.

Conflict of Interest Policy for Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members, including the Editor-in-Chief, must adhere to the highest ethical standards in managing conflicts of interest.

Responsibilities:

  • Refrain from using unpublished work for their own research without obtaining written consent from the authors.
  • Avoid handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist, including competitive, collaborative, or personal relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions. In such cases, the manuscript must be delegated to another editorial board member.
  • Disclose any financial relationships, including funding sources, that may constitute a conflict of interest.
  • Ensure transparency by declaring any personal, commercial, professional, political, or intellectual conflicts, whether hidden or open.

Submissions from Editorial Board Members

Editorial Board Members are welcome to submit their work to the journal. However:

  • Their submissions will receive no preferential treatment or priority over other manuscripts.
  • Board Members involved as authors will not participate in the editorial review process for their own manuscripts.
  • They will have no access to confidential editorial information or decision-making related to their submission.

Commitment to Integrity and Fairness

At SMJI, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in the publication process. This Conflict of Interest Policy ensures the impartiality and fairness of all editorial procedures, allowing every manuscript to undergo rigorous and unbiased evaluation.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact the Editorial Board at SMART MOVES JOURNAL IJELLH.

Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief
SMART MOVES JOURNAL IJELLH