The Litera Global Journal of Social Science (LGJSS) is committed to upholding the highest standards of research integrity, ethical publishing, and responsible scholarly communication. The journal follows the principles and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics and adheres to internationally recognized publication ethics standards expected by Scopus. LGJSS adopts a zero-tolerance approach to research and publication misconduct and expects all authors, reviewers, editors, and editorial board members to conduct themselves with honesty, transparency, accountability, and professional integrity.

Research misconduct refers to any practice that intentionally or negligently compromises the integrity, reliability, transparency, or ethical standards of scholarly research and publication. Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

1. 1

   Plagiarism: Presenting another person's ideas, words, data, figures, or intellectual contributions without appropriate acknowledgment or citation.

2. 2

   Data Fabrication: Making up data, results, observations, or research findings that did not occur.

3. 3

   Data Falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, data, images, or results in a manner that misrepresents the research findings.

4. 4

   Duplicate or Redundant Publication: Publishing substantially similar work in more than one journal without appropriate disclosure or justification.

5. 5

   Simultaneous Submission: Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time.

6. 6

   Authorship Misconduct: Gift authorship, ghost authorship, purchased authorship, omission of legitimate contributors, or misrepresentation of authorship contributions.

7. 7

   Citation Manipulation: Excessive, inappropriate, or coercive citation practices intended to artificially influence citation metrics.

8. 8

   Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Failure to disclose financial, professional, institutional, or personal interests that may influence the research or publication process.

9. 9

   Unethical Research Practices: Conducting research involving human participants, animals, confidential information, or personal data without appropriate ethical approval, informed consent, or regulatory compliance.

10. 10

    Peer Review Misconduct: Manipulation of the peer-review process, submission of false reviewer identities, breach of confidentiality, or misuse of privileged information obtained during peer review.

Authors are expected to:

• Submit original and accurate research findings;
• Maintain complete and accurate records of research data and methodologies;
• Retain research data and provide supporting information when reasonably requested by the journal;
• Ensure that all listed authors meet the journal's authorship criteria;
• Disclose all relevant conflicts of interest and funding sources;
• Cooperate fully in any investigation concerning allegations of misconduct.

Reviewers and editors are expected to:

• Evaluate manuscripts objectively and confidentially;
• Disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves where appropriate;
• Report suspected research misconduct promptly to the Editorial Office;
• Avoid misuse of unpublished information obtained through the editorial process;
• Conduct investigations fairly, impartially, and confidentially.

Allegations of research misconduct may be raised by authors, reviewers, readers, institutions, or other stakeholders. All allegations will be handled seriously and investigated in accordance with established ethical procedures and COPE recommendations. The journal may:

1. 1Conduct an initial assessment of the allegation;
2. 2Request explanations and supporting documentation from the authors;
3. 3Seek clarification from reviewers, editors, or relevant institutions where appropriate;
4. 4Obtain additional evidence necessary to assess the allegations;
5. 5Make an evidence-based editorial determination and take appropriate corrective action.

The journal shall ensure confidentiality, procedural fairness, and impartiality throughout the investigation process.

Where research misconduct is confirmed, LGJSS may take one or more of the following actions:

• Reject the manuscript;
• Suspend the editorial review process pending further investigation;
• Publish a correction or clarification;
• Issue an Expression of Concern;
• Retract the published article;
• Notify the authors' affiliated institutions, employers, or funding agencies where appropriate;
• Restrict future submissions in cases of serious or repeated misconduct.

The nature of the corrective action will be proportionate to the severity of the misconduct and will aim primarily to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

Authors may submit a reasoned appeal against editorial decisions related to alleged misconduct by providing additional evidence or clarification. Appeals will be reviewed objectively by the Editorial Office and, where appropriate, by independent editorial representatives not directly involved in the original decision.

LGJSS is committed to promoting honesty, transparency, accountability, and responsible research practices. The journal strives to prevent research and publication misconduct through rigorous editorial screening, ethical oversight, and fair investigative procedures. By adhering to internationally accepted publication ethics standards, LGJSS seeks to preserve the credibility, reliability, and integrity of the scholarly record and to contribute responsibly to the advancement of global management research.