Author Guidelines

The Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management welcomes high-quality submissions that align with our aim of advancing knowledge in this specific field. Every author must follow the guidelines mentioned on this page if they want their submission to be successful.

Submission Preparation Checklist

Before submitting your manuscript to the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, ensure that the following criteria are fully met to facilitate a smooth submission process:

  1. Originality and Exclusivity: The manuscript is original, has not been previously published, and is not under consideration by any other journal or publisher.
  2. Compliance with Guidelines: The manuscript fulfils all formatting, referencing, and stylistic requirements outlined in this guide.
  3. Author Approvals: All listed authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript, and the corresponding author assumes responsibility for the submission.
  4. Plagiarism Check: The manuscript has been verified using reliable plagiarism detection tools to ensure it is free from unethical practices.
  5. Supplementary Documents: All necessary supplementary materials, such as data sets, images, or permissions, have been labeled and included.

Manuscript Preparation

A well-prepared manuscript ensures clarity, coherence, and compliance with journal standards. Submissions must include the following key components:

  1. Language and Formatting: The manuscript must be written in clear, professional English. Use standard fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, size 12), 1.5 line spacing, and standard margins.
  2. Structure: Follow a logical flow with clear section headings, subheadings, and paragraph breaks to ensure readability and technical relevance.
  3. Word Count: Manuscripts should meet the word count requirements of the selected article type, including references and appendices.
  4. Figures and Tables: Place all figures and tables appropriately within the text. Ensure they are of high quality, properly labelled, and relevant to the content.
  5. Citations: Properly cite all referenced works using the journal's required citation style.

Title Page Requirements:

The title page should contain the following information to ensure transparency and proper acknowledgement of contributors:

  1. Title:Create a concise and descriptive title that accurately reflects the content and focus of the manuscript. Avoid abbreviations or overly technical jargon.
  2. Author Information: Provide full names, institutional affiliations, and email addresses for all authors. Clearly indicate the corresponding author and their preferred contact information.
  3. Funding Sources: List all financial support received for the research. Include grant numbers and funding organizations as applicable.
  4. Acknowledgements: Recognize individuals or organizations who contributed to the study but do not meet authorship criteria.
  5. Conflict of Interest Statement: Declare any financial, personal, or institutional relationships that could influence the research.

Article Types:

The journal accepts submissions in the following categories:

  1. Research Articles: Original research contributions presenting significant findings that advance knowledge in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management. Submissions should include a detailed methodology, technical analysis, and clear conclusions.
  2. Review Articles: Comprehensive overviews of existing research, identifying gaps, trends, and opportunities in the field. These articles should offer critical insights and synthesize current knowledge.
  3. Case Studies: Practical analyses of real-world situations or events. Case studies should describe the context, challenges, solutions, and lessons learned, making them highly relevant for both practitioners and academics.

Each submission type has specific formatting and content requirements, which must be carefully followed to ensure consideration for publication.

Body of the Manuscript:

A well-organized manuscript ensures clarity and readability while effectively communicating research findings. Submissions must include the following sections:

  1. Introduction:
    1. Clearly outline the purpose, significance, and objectives of the research.
    2. Provide context by referencing key studies in the field and identifying the research gap your study addresses.
    3. State hypotheses or research questions where applicable.
  2. Literature Review:
    1. Present a critical review of relevant literature, summarizing key findings and contrasting differing perspectives.
    2. Highlight how the current study builds on or diverges from existing work.
  3. Methodology:
    1. Detail the research design, including the sampling strategy, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
    2. Ensure reproducibility by providing sufficient details, such as statistical tools, software, or experimental protocols.
  4. Results:
    1. Present findings concisely using tables, graphs, and text.
    2. Avoid interpretation in this section; focus on presenting the data.
  5. Discussion:
    1. Interpret results, comparing them to previous studies and discussing their implications.
    2. Address any unexpected findings and suggest reasons for their occurrence.
  6. Conclusion:
    1. Summarize the study's key contributions and highlight its practical, theoretical, or policy implications.
    2. Suggest areas for further research based on your findings.
  7. References and Appendix:
    1. Include a comprehensive list of all cited works in the required format.
    2. Add supplementary materials, such as questionnaires, raw data, or additional figures, in the appendix.

Figures & Tables:

Effective use of figures and tables enhances the presentation of research findings. Follow these guidelines:

  1. Placement and Clarity:
    1. Embed figures and tables in the manuscript close to their first reference.
    2. Ensure they do not disrupt the text's flow and maintain logical placement.
  2. Captions and Labels:
    1. Provide descriptive captions for each figure and table, explaining its purpose and content.
    2. Label all axes, columns, rows, and units consistently and accurately.
  3. Image Quality and Formats:
    1. Use high-resolution images (minimum 300 dpi) for clarity in print and online versions.
    2. Acceptable formats include JPEG, PNG, TIFF for images, and Excel for data tables.
  4. Referencing in Text:
    1. Mention all figures and tables in the main text, linking them to relevant findings.

Citations & References:

Accurate citations are critical for maintaining the academic integrity of submissions. Follow these practices:

  1. Citation Style:
    1. Use the journal's designated citation format consistently (e.g., APA, Harvard). Ensure all in-text citations are appropriately formatted.
  2. Completeness and Accuracy:
    1. Verify that all citations correspond to complete and accurate references in the bibliography.
    2. Include DOIs or URLs for digital references where applicable.
  3. Consistency:
    1. Maintain uniformity in referencing style and punctuation throughout the manuscript.
  4. Software Assistance:
    1. Use citation management tools (e.g., EndNote, Zotero) to ensure accuracy and streamline the referencing process.

Submission & Supporting Documentation

Authors must include the following materials to complete the submission process:

1. Cover Letter:

Briefly introduce the manuscript, highlighting its significance, originality, and relevance to the journal's scope. Address the editor and explain why your submission is suitable for publication.

2. Permissions:

Obtain and submit permissions for any previously published material included in the manuscript.

3. Supplementary Materials:

Clearly label and provide any additional data, images, or documents that complement the manuscript.

4. Submission System:

Follow the online submission platform's instructions to upload the manuscript and all required files.

Copyright & Open Access

The Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management operates under a Creative Commons Attribution License, promoting the free and unrestricted sharing of knowledge. Authors retain the copyright to their work while granting the journal the right to publish.

Articles are made freely available to the public, ensuring global access to research. Users are required to provide proper attribution to authors when sharing or adapting published work. Open access increases the visibility, impact, and citation potential of published research.