Reviewer Responsibilities

The Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management relies on the expertise and dedication of its reviewers to uphold the quality and integrity of the scholarly work it publishes. Reviewers are expected to fulfil the following responsibilities to ensure a fair, constructive, and ethical peer review process:

Objective Evaluation of Manuscripts

Reviewers are tasked with providing a qualified, unbiased, and timely assessment of the manuscript's academic merit. Specifically, reviewers must:

  • Assess Originality and Contribution: Evaluate the manuscript's real contribution to the field and its originality in addressing critical issues within humanitarian logistics and supply chain management.
  • Ensure Clarity and Accuracy: Judge whether the arguments presented are clear, logical, and substantiated by strong evidence.
  • Align with Journal Scope: Verify that the manuscript aligns with the journal's focus and objectives, covering relevant topics and methodologies.
  • Provide Constructive Feedback: Deliver comments and recommendations in a professional tone that helps authors improve the quality and presentation of their work.

Adherence to Ethical Standards

Reviewers play a critical role in maintaining the ethical integrity of the peer-review process. They must:

  • Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Promptly disclose any potential conflicts of interest with authors, funders, or the research itself. If such conflicts exist, reviewers must inform the Editor-in-Chief immediately and decline to review the manuscript.
  • Identify Ethical Issues: Alert the editorial team to any suspected ethical violations, such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or improper authorship practices.
  • Respect Confidentiality: Treat all manuscripts as confidential documents. Unpublished materials must not be disclosed, discussed, or used for personal advantage without explicit permission from the authors.

Technical Assessment Criteria

Reviewers are expected to evaluate the manuscript thoroughly, considering various technical aspects:

  • Methodological Soundness: Assess the validity and reliability of the research methods and data analysis.
  • Relevance and Impact: Examine whether the manuscript addresses significant problems in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management and contributes to advancing the field.
  • Appropriate Citations: Identify any relevant published works that have not been cited and suggest appropriate references where necessary. However, reviewers should not insist on citing their own work unless justified by the context.
  • Presentation and Style: Evaluate the clarity, coherence, and academic accuracy of the manuscript, ensuring it meets the journal's formatting and stylistic standards.

Confidentiality & Integrity

To maintain the integrity of the review process:

  • Handle Materials Privately: Manuscripts and supplementary materials provided for review must not be shared with anyone without prior authorization from the editorial team.
  • Avoid Unauthorized Use: Reviewers must refrain from using unpublished data, ideas, or interpretations in their own research or for personal benefit.

Professional Conduct and Feedback

Reviewers are encouraged to contribute to the improvement of the manuscript by:

  • Providing Detailed Recommendations: Suggest practical corrections and improvements to enhance the manuscript's quality. Comments should be specific, actionable, and designed to help authors refine their work.
  • Balancing Criticism with Encouragement: Highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript to offer a balanced critique.
  • Timely Submission: Meet the agreed deadlines for completing the review. If additional time is required, reviewers should inform the editorial team promptly.

Scope of Review

Reviewers should only accept assignments that align with their areas of expertise. Reviewing papers outside one's competence can compromise the quality of feedback and delay the editorial process.

Recognition and Support

The journal values its reviewers and is committed to recognizing their contributions. Reviewers will receive:

  • Certificates of Acknowledgment: A formal certificate recognizing their role in the peer-review process, which can be shared with employers or institutions.
  • Opportunities for Professional Growth: Participation in the peer-review process enhances a reviewer's understanding of emerging research trends and practices.

Collaboration with Editors

Reviewers are an essential part of the editorial team. They work closely with editors to clarify disagreements. In cases of conflicting reviews, reviewers may be asked to provide additional insights to assist the editors in making a fair decision. While the final decision rests with the editors, reviewers' evaluations form the foundation of the editorial process