This part contains statement to clarify ethical behaviour of all parties involved in the act of publishing an article in this journal, including the author, the editor, the reviewer, and the publisher. This statement is based on COPE’s Publication Ethics.

I. Introduction

The Andalas International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Development (AIJSED) is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics. The integrity of academic work is the foundation of sustainable knowledge creation and social impact. In the fields of social entrepreneurship and development, ethical research and publication are not only about accuracy and originality but also about responsibility, fairness, and social contribution.
To ensure ethical publication practices, AIJSED adheres to the principles and standards outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties involved in the publishing process — editors, reviewers, authors, and the publisher — are expected to maintain ethical behavior and integrity throughout all stages of manuscript submission, review, and publication.

II. Duties of Editors

Fair Play
Editors must evaluate manuscripts based solely on their intellectual content, without discrimination based on the author’s gender, race, religion, citizenship, institutional affiliation, or political views.
Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, and the publisher.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Editors must not use unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript for their own research without the author’s explicit written consent. Editors must recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest.
Publication Decisions
Editors are responsible for deciding which manuscripts will be published. The decision must be based on the manuscript’s importance, originality, clarity, validity, and relevance to the journal’s scope.
Investigation of Misconduct
If ethical concerns or complaints are raised regarding a submitted or published paper, editors must take appropriate action following COPE guidelines, ensuring fairness and confidentiality throughout the process.

III. Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Peer review assists editors in making editorial decisions and helps authors improve their manuscripts through constructive feedback.
Promptness
Reviewers who feel unqualified to assess a manuscript or know they cannot provide a timely review should notify the editor and withdraw from the review process.
Confidentiality
All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share or discuss them with others without authorization from the editor.
Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Comments should be expressed clearly with supporting arguments.
Identification of Relevant Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. They should inform the editor of any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under review and any other published paper they are aware of.
Conflict of Interest
Reviewers should not review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.

IV. Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards
Authors must present accurate and original research data. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable.
Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and that proper citations are provided when using the work and/or words of others.
Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors should not submit the same manuscript to more than one journal simultaneously. Submitting the same paper to multiple journals is unethical and unacceptable.
Acknowledgement of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have influenced their research.
Authorship of the Paper
Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All those who made substantial contributions should be listed as co-authors.
Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
All authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflicts of interest that could be construed to influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.
Fundamental Errors in Published Works
When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their published work, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal editor or publisher and cooperate in retracting or correcting the paper.

V. Duties of the Publisher

The publisher shall ensure that good practices are followed in every stage of publication. In cases of misconduct, plagiarism, or unethical behavior, the publisher will work closely with editors and reviewers to take appropriate measures according to COPE standards.

VI. Ethical Commitment of AIJSED

By adhering to these ethical principles, AIJSED aims to promote a culture of academic integrity, transparency, and social responsibility. The journal is dedicated to publishing high-quality research that meaningfully contributes to knowledge advancement, community empowerment, and the promotion of sustainable social and economic development.