Policy for Managing Editorial Conflicts of Interest and Disputes

The Journal of Sports Science Academy (JOSSA) is committed to preventing, managing, and transparently resolving potential conflicts of interest and disputes among editors. This policy aims to uphold the journal’s academic integrity and adherence to ethical standards.

1. Conflict of Interest Policy

All editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the journal. Situations that may be considered conflicts of interest include:

  • Editors must recuse themselves from decision-making processes involving articles they have authored or articles involving close relations (e.g., family members, business associates, academic supervisors).
  • Financial, professional, or personal relationships that could compromise objectivity must be disclosed to the ethics committee or the editor-in-chief in writing.

Editors are expected to act impartially and objectively during their duties and to avoid involvement in any situation that could result in an ethical breach.

2. Managing Conflicts of Interest

When a potential or existing conflict of interest is identified, the following steps are taken:

  • The editor with the disclosed conflict is removed from the relevant manuscript or process.
  • An alternate editor is assigned to manage the case. This alternate editor may be selected from outside the journal if necessary.
  • A double-blind peer review process is employed to ensure an objective evaluation.

3. Dispute Resolution

If disputes arise among editors, the following transparent mechanisms are implemented:

  • Independent Ethics Committee: Disputes that cannot be resolved internally are reviewed by an independent ethics committee. This committee evaluates all perspectives and conducts an objective resolution process.
  • External Consultation: When necessary, independent experts or editors from other journals may be consulted to provide impartial guidance.
  • Documentation: Every stage of the dispute resolution process is documented to create a record that may serve as a reference for preventing similar issues in the future.

4. Principle of Impartiality

In cases of disputes or conflicts of interest among editors, the manuscript evaluation process and publication decisions must remain unaffected. To ensure this:

  • Editors involved in the dispute may temporarily be relieved of their responsibilities.
  • The process must be conducted equitably, ensuring all parties are treated fairly.

5. Training and Awareness

Regular training and informational meetings are held to help editors better understand their ethical responsibilities and the procedures for managing conflicts of interest.

6. Final Remedy: Editor Replacement

If conflicts of interest or disputes remain unresolved and jeopardize the journal’s reputation, the involved editors may be replaced or removed from their positions. Such decisions will be carried out in accordance with JOSSA’s ethical guidelines and procedures.

7. Decision by the Editorial Board

If disputes remain unresolved, the final decision will be made by the journal’s editorial board. The board ensures that all parties' perspectives are considered and evaluates the issue in alignment with the journal’s ethical principles to deliver a fair and impartial resolution.