Editorial Policies
Contents
Copyright and Publication Fees
Editorial Rights and Responsibilities
Ethical Violations and Disciplinary Measures
For authors based outside Kuwait
For authors affiliated with Kuwait University
Editorial Policies
The journal adheres to the following editorial policies as approved by the Academic Publication Council (APC) of Kuwait University. In matters not explicitly addressed herein, the journal follows the guidelines and best practices set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Manuscript Submission Policy
- Manuscripts must align with the journal’s stated aim and scope and conform to the submission types specified in the Accepted Submission Types section.
- Manuscripts must be submitted exclusively through the journal’s online submission system. Submissions via paper or email are not accepted.
- Manuscripts must be prepared according to the guidelines presented in the Manuscript Preparation section
- Authors are required to complete the Declaration Form as part of the submission process.
- All manuscripts are screened using iThenticate to detect potential text similarity or plagiarism.
Peer Review Process
- All accepted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review by qualified experts with demonstrated academic credentials and reviewing experience.
- The journal maintains an updated list of approved reviewers by subject area based on their expertise and past contributions.
- Reviewers assess manuscripts using a standardized form and provide written evaluations based on:
- Originality and scholarly contribution
- Appropriateness of methodology and research design
- Adequacy of references and supporting sources
- Overall structure, clarity of language, and soundness of conclusions
- Each review includes a final recommendation on the manuscript’s suitability for publication.
- Manuscripts are reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers. If one recommends rejection, a third reviewer may be consulted.
- A rejection decision is final and will be formally communicated to the author.
- Submissions from authors based in Kuwait require reviewers from outside Kuwait unless an exception is approved by the editor-in-chief.
Copyright and Publication Fees
- Authors retain the copyright of their published work. Upon acceptance, the author grants the journal an exclusive right to publish and distribute the article in both print and electronic formats.
- The journal bears all standard publication costs for both online and print editions.
- If authors request color figures to appear in the print version, they are responsible for covering the associated costs.
- The journal makes its published articles freely available to readers on its official website without any access or download fees.
- The journal permits the redistribution of published articles in their final published format on institutional websites, personal webpages, or academic repositories, provided that proper citation and a link to the journal’s website are included.
Editorial Rights and Responsibilities
- The editorial board reserves the right to conduct an initial assessment of all submitted manuscripts to determine their suitability for external peer review. Manuscripts may be declined at this stage for reasons including, but not limited to, falling outside the journal’s scope, lacking basic scholarly merit, or failing to comply with the journal’s submission policies outlined in this document.
- Reviewer recommendations are binding on the editorial board and the editor-in-chief.
- Upon request, anonymized reviewer comments or a summarized assessment will be shared with authors of rejected manuscripts.
- Manuscripts will be considered withdrawn if authors fail to submit revisions within three months of receiving editorial feedback, unless a valid reason is accepted by the board.
- Once accepted for publication in an APC journal, a manuscript may not be submitted or published elsewhere.
- Manuscripts previously published in any form, including conference proceedings or seminar collections, are ineligible. Violations may result in a two-year submission ban across all APC journals.
- Rejected manuscripts may not be resubmitted, even with revisions.
- AJAS reserves the right to republish articles in print or electronic formats and to license them to third-party databases, with or without financial compensation.
Author Rights and Permissions
- Authors will be notified of the manuscript’s publication eligibility within two weeks following receipt of reviewer reports.
- Authors may republish their article as part of a book after three years from journal publication, subject to prior approval and proper citation.
- Prior to publication, authors may present the manuscript at conferences or seminars. If included in formal proceedings, submission is permitted only if the similarity with the proceedings version is 50% or less.
- Abstracts of accepted manuscripts may be shared in public forums (e.g., newspapers, websites, conferences), provided journal acceptance is clearly indicated.
- Authors may submit accepted manuscripts for awards if the awarding body does not republish the content without written permission and proper attribution is included.
- Manuscripts prepared for other entities may be submitted to the journal as long as they have not been published elsewhere.
- Authors may archive a version of their published work in open-access repositories.
Ethical Violations and Disciplinary Measures
- If an author is found to have published the same manuscript elsewhere—before, during, or after submission—they will be prohibited from submitting to AJAS or any APC journal for two years. Their affiliated institution will be notified.
For authors based outside Kuwait:
- The manuscript will be withdrawn and retained for archival purposes.
- A retraction notice will be published in a future issue of the journal.
- The author will be liable for any costs incurred by the journal.
- The author’s institution will be informed of the misconduct.
- The author will be permanently banned from all APC journal publications.
For authors affiliated with Kuwait University:
- The same measures apply as above.
- Additionally, the matter will be escalated to the university administration for formal investigation and disciplinary action in accordance with institutional regulations.
Generative AI Usage
Permissible Uses
All uses of generative AI must be disclosed when submitting a manuscript for publication in the comments to the editor section to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and to clarify any potential impact on research findings or intellectual property. These include:
- Enhancing language clarity and performing grammatical corrections.
- Converting text into different formats (e.g., formatting references) without altering the author-generated content.
- Using AI for data analysis or statistical modeling.
- Generating software or code used in data analysis.
- Employing AI-assisted translation tools, particularly when translating key terms, full sections of the manuscript, or survey instruments, as this may affect research outcomes.
- Creating charts, graphs, or visual representations.
Prohibited Uses
The use of generative AI is strictly prohibited in the following cases, where AI-generated content is presented as the author’s own work. Such practices violate research ethics:
- Generating entire manuscripts or substantial portions of the text.
- Creating or modifying research data (quantitative or qualitative), except when the subject of the study is generative AI models, in which case full disclosure is required.
- Listing generative AI as an author. Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy and originality of all submitted content.
Submission Guidelines
Types of Accepted Submissions
The Arab Journal of Administrative Sciences (AJAS) welcomes diverse types of scholarly work that align with its mission to foster rigorous research with regional relevance and global insight. Authors are encouraged to select a format that best fits the goals and contribution of their work. AJAS accepts the following types of submissions:
- Empirical Research Articles
Original studies that use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches to test, refine, or extend theories. These should include clear research questions, methodological rigor, and contextually grounded findings. - Conceptual Articles
Theoretical contributions that offer novel frameworks, synthesize existing literature, or propose new conceptual models. - Systematic and Integrative Literature Reviews
Scholarly review articles must critically evaluate and synthesize existing research to identify knowledge gaps, assess theoretical developments, and propose directions for future research. Descriptive or superficial literature reviews lacking analytical depth will not be considered. - Methodological Contributions
Papers focused on the development, adaptation, or evaluation of research methods, measurement tools, or analytic techniques. - Tutorials
Instructional articles that explain complex methodologies or research tools, making them accessible for broader scholarly application. Tutorials should include illustrative examples and practical guidance. - Perspectives and Opinion Essays
Scholarly viewpoints on emerging issues, theoretical debates, or pressing challenges in administrative sciences. These may draw on professional experience, policy relevance, or interdisciplinary reflection. - Replication Studies
Studies that re-examine previously published research using new samples, contexts, or methods. Replication work is especially welcome when it contributes to theory validation or contextual nuance in the Arab or GCC regions.
Steps for Submission
- Please register on our website to submit your manuscript and include the accompanying Declaration Form.
- Authors must utilize the designated "Comments to the Editor" section during submission to communicate essential information to the editorial team. This may include specifying if the paper is derived from a master's thesis or highlighting additional review considerations, such as utilizing the quantitative methodology.
- Authors must submit manuscript files according to the submission requirements and style while following the structure below.
- When submitting a manuscript reporting on field surveys or experiments, it is essential to include a copy of the instrument used, such as a questionnaire, case study, interview plan, or similar document.
- Manuscripts failing to adhere to the submission guidelines will be subject to rejection.
Submission Requirements
All article files should be submitted in anonymized Microsoft Word format, except the declaration form. Please submit the following files as separate documents:
- Declaration form
A signed PDF copy of the declaration form must be provided for each author.
- Title Page
The document should contain the title, full names, and complete addresses of the authors, including phone numbers, fax, and email IDs. Corresponding author information, such as name, address, phone, fax, and email ID, should also be included. Additionally, acknowledgments, credits, institutional affiliations, grant numbers, and funding information should be presented on a separate page and uploaded. - Abstract
The abstracts in English and Arabic should be placed on separate pages and uploaded separately. They should be titled with the article's title. The abstracts must not exceed 250 words and should include the following key points:
1. Purpose
2. Study design/methodology/approach
3. Sample and data
4. Results
5. Originality/value
6. Research limitations/implications
Keywords: 3 to 6 keywords
JEL classification: Identify the proper JEL classification at https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/jelCodes.php
- Brief Author Bios (Optional)
The authors are requested to incorporate with their submission files a document containing a brief bio for all the authors. The bio should consist of at most 50 words. It can include details such as noteworthy academic achievement, highest academic degree earned (including place and date), current occupation, rank or position, institution name, significant fields of interest, and email ID. - Anonymous Manuscript
The authors must refrain from directly or indirectly revealing their identity elsewhere in their manuscripts to ensure an anonymous review. The manuscript should adhere to the structure described in the following section.
Manuscript Preparation
Authors must submit their manuscripts in Arabic/English formatted according to the following guidelines:
- Use double-spacing, 12-point font (Times New Roman preferred), and 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins in Microsoft Word format (not as PDFs).
- The word count should be 10000, including tables, figures, footnotes, and references.
- Figures, tables, and appendices should be numbered sequentially according to their appearance in the research. They should be placed on separate pages at the end of the manuscript, following the reference list.
- Footnotes should be used sparingly, numbered sequentially, and placed at the bottom of the page they are referenced.
Additionally, authors should thoroughly check the manuscript for typos and grammatical errors. We highly recommend professional copyediting services to ensure your manuscript's clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
Citations
Footnotes should not be used for literature citations; inline citations should follow the 7th edition APA citation style with references at the end of the manuscript.
Manuscript Structure
The following structure is required for empirical research submissions. Other submissions could use this as a guideline and deviate based on need. The sections can be broken into subsections if they improve the manuscript's readability.
- Introduction
This section should briefly present the topic, articulate the research question being addressed, and clarify the contribution of the submitted work. It is crucial to engage readers by highlighting the novel aspects of the research and its potential impact on existing knowledge or practice. The introduction should also briefly outline the study's methodology and anticipated contributions, then conclude with a brief outline of the manuscript, effectively setting the stage for the detailed exploration that follows in the manuscript. - Literature Review/Hypotheses Development
This section is devoted to a) reviewing and summarizing prior studies on a topic of interest to identify the knowledge gap and b) stating formal hypotheses that build on sound theoretical arguments - Research Methods
This section should meticulously detail the methodology, including the research design, data collection methods, and analytical techniques. It is essential to explain why choosing specific methods and how they align with the research objectives. Clear articulation of the sample selection, data sources, and any tools or instruments used (such as surveys or statistical software) is crucial. This section not only serves to inform the reader of how the research was conducted but also enables replication and critical evaluation of the study's rigor. Its thoroughness and clarity provide the foundation for the credibility of the research findings and conclusions. - Research Results/Discussion
In the Results subsection, authors should succinctly report the outcomes of their research, using appropriate statistical analysis, tables, and figures for clarity and precision. This part is focused on presenting data objectively, without interpretation or bias.
Following the results, the Discussion subsection delves into the implications of these findings. It should interpret the results in the context of the hypotheses or research questions outlined earlier, examining how the findings align with or diverge from existing literature and theories in business administration. It's a space for critical analysis, where authors connect their findings to the broader discourse in the field, offering insights and potential applications that extend beyond the data presented.
- Conclusion
The conclusion should briefly address the research question and key findings and contributions. It should also reinforce the major claims or interpretations. Further, it should discuss study implications and limitations and suggest ideas for future research. - References
The author should follow the 7th edition APA reference format. Each manuscript must include a list of references comprising only the cited works. Journal titles should not be abbreviated, and entries should be organized alphabetically based on the author's first name. Multiple works by the same author(s) should be arranged in chronological order of publication. It is preferable to use the author's initials rather than full names.
The sample of entry is as follows:
Author's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Year of Publication). Title of article: Subtitle, if any. Name of Journal, Volume Number (Issue Number), first page number- last page number. https://doi.org/DOInumber
Gorry, G. M., & Scott-Morton, M. S. (1989). A framework for management information systems. Sloan Management Review, 30(3), 49-61.
- Tables and Figures
Each figure and graph in the manuscript should be accompanied by a distinct number and a corresponding title that indicates its content. Similarly, each table should be assigned a number and include a title describing its content. - Writing Style
Manuscripts must be written in a cohesive narrative rather than a fragmented list of points. Authors should demonstrate a deep understanding of their subject matter and engage critically with the literature and findings rather than merely summarizing prior studies or presenting information in a bullet-point format. A manuscript that reads like a "laundry list" of studies or results is likely to be desk rejected.
For example, in the Literature Review, simply listing past research with a brief description of each study is insufficient:
Unacceptable:
"Smith (2020) examined digital transformation in government. Jones (2021) studied AI adoption in public services. Lee (2022) explored cybersecurity challenges in e-government."
Acceptable:
"Despite growing interest in digital transformation, existing studies have largely examined its impact in isolation (e.g., Smith, 2020; Jones, 2021). However, these works overlook the intersection of AI adoption and cybersecurity, a critical gap given the increasing threats to public sector data integrity (Lee, 2022). This study addresses this shortcoming by..."
Similarly, in the Discussion and Conclusion sections, merely restating findings without deeper engagement is inadequate:
Unacceptable:
"The results show that trust influences e-government adoption. This aligns with prior research (Smith, 2020; Jones, 2021). Additionally, cybersecurity concerns were found to be significant (Lee, 2022)."
Acceptable:
"The findings confirm that trust is a crucial factor in e-government adoption, reinforcing previous work (Smith, 2020; Jones, 2021). However, this study extends prior knowledge by demonstrating that cybersecurity concerns also play a significant role, particularly in regions with high digital surveillance (Lee, 2022). This insight suggests that policymakers should..."
Authors should integrate citations into a critical discussion that highlights gaps, contradictions, and emerging insights, guiding the reader toward the study's contribution. The Discussion and Conclusion sections should go beyond restating results to interpret their implications, situate them within the broader literature, and offer meaningful takeaways for research and practice.
Publication Ethics
For Author
Submission Standards
Authors should present an account of their submitted work specifying its approach, significance, method, results, and discussion. The report should be detailed, well-referenced, accurate, and objective. Expressed opinions of authors or editorial views should be clear and lucid. Falsified statements are regarded as unethical and unacceptable.
Data Access
Authors must provide access to their raw data via data repositories, provided that confidentiality is protected, and intellectual property is safeguarded upon release. Please include a link to the data location inside the manuscript.
Plagiarism
Violation of scientific research ethics misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in performing or reporting research results. The manuscript must be original and free of plagiarism. Correct citation and use of quote marks to identify content derived from other sources must be appropriately followed. If there is any overlap in the manuscript with any published or submitted content, the author should acknowledge and cite it. Undocumented use of the work, ideas, or words of others, or ascribing them to oneself is regarded as unethical and unacceptable. The journal uses “iThenticate” software to check for instances of similar text in submitted manuscripts.
Multiple, Duplicate, or Concurrent Submission/Publication
Authors should declare that their work has not been previously published in any form, nor simultaneously submitted elsewhere, and that the data, in full or part, have not been previously used with other published works. Duplicate submission is regarded as unacceptable and unethical behavior. However, by the Academic Publishing Council’s bylaws, permissions to re-publish the research elsewhere can be granted, in writing, by the editor-in-chief only after the passage of at least three whole years following its date of publication in the Arab Journal of Administrative Sciences (AJAS), provided the primary publication is cited in the second publication.
Authorship of the Manuscript
The list of authors should only contain those who have contributed significantly to the formation of the manuscript. They are the ones who are held responsible for the work’s content, data acquisition, investigation, analysis, drafting, and revising the manuscript. Others who offered technical or general assistance or support, and who do not meet the criteria for authorship, will be only included in the acknowledgment section after their written consent is obtained. Names of co-authors (according to the above definition) must be provided in full. All co/authors must give their approval to the manuscript's final version and agreement to its publication.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors must-as quickly as possible any conflicts of interest that may be seen to have affected their interpretation of the submitted manuscript in any way or form. All sources of financial funding should be identified in the manuscript including research grants if any. A detailed description of or reference to the grant’s type and number must also be provided.
Acknowledgment of Sources
Authors must acknowledge their use of the work of others, and appropriately reference all influences that have been seminal to their research. Authors should not use any information that is disclosed confidentially or obtained privately from a third party without their written permission.
Hazards of Experimenting with Human Participants
If the work involves human participation or animals, the researchers must confirm that all procedures follow relevant laws and institutional directives approved by an institutional review board. They should also provide ample information on the possible impact of the adopted procedures on the participants and indicate that they have obtained the approval of all those involved in the experiments/study as well.
Compliance with the Peer Review
If a preliminary decision is made, and a specific amendment is requested, authors must respond to the reviewers' comments fully and implement all suggestions point by point before resubmitting the revised version to the AJAS within the prescribed time.
Errors in Published Works
Should the author discover any significant error or inaccuracy in the published work, they must notify the editorial board promptly and cooperate with them to either correct or withdraw the manuscript. If the editorial board is notified of any significant errors or inaccuracies, the author must correct the error, withdraw the research containing the error, or provide proof of its correctness. Any published data the journal found inaccurate or misleading, will be corrected promptly. The authors are expected to cooperate with the editors to provide such corrections. If an item proves to pose a violation of the publishing policies, it will be retracted, and legal consequences to its author. If misconduct is suspected, the journal will act according to the published relevant policies outlined in the Editorial Policies documents.
For Editorial Board
Editorial Independence
The editorial board should judge received manuscripts based only on their academic merit. Specifically, on their work’s originality, importance, clarity, validity, and relevance to the Journal of the AJAS scope of interest without regard to the author’s nationality, affiliation, ethnic origin or race, gender, orientation, political philosophy, or beliefs.
Confidentiality
The principle of confidentiality in dealing with research information is one of the most important principles of AJAS.
Conflicts of Interest
Manuscript submitted to the AJAS is not to be used by editors or Board members for their purposes. The Board members should refrain from reviewing manuscripts that may personally have conflicts of interest resulting from competition, collaboration, or personal relationships with any parties involved, such as the authors, companies, or institutions relevant to the said research.
Publication Decisions
The Editor-in-Chief must make sure that all material submitted for publication is peer-reviewed by at least two expert reviewers in the field. The Editor-in-Chief is accountable for publication decisions based on the opinion of the reviewers, the importance of the work to researchers and readers, and reviewers’ comments and amendment requests.
Measures against the Violation of Publication Ethics
The Editorial Board takes quick action in the event of any ethical problems relating to the submitted research. Any work that violates the publication ethics is to be investigated, even if discovered years after publication, and appropriate legal measures shall be taken accordingly.
For Reviewer
Contribution to Editorial Board Decisions
Reviewers assist the editorial board in making acceptance decisions; they further contribute to improving the quality of the manuscript by reviewing it objectively within the specified time frame.
Promptness
The AJAS shall make all reasonable efforts to stay in contact with the reviewers and urge them to submit their assessments on time. Should the delay be noted, the Editorial Board may have to choose another reviewer.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is to be respected throughout the peer-review process. Submitted material or information must not be shared or discussed with anyone unless prior permission is provided by the editor-in-chief. This applies to board members as well as referees.
Standards of Objectivity
Reviewers must assess the submitted manuscripts objectively. Comments and suggested amendments must be made to help authors improve their work avoiding personal criticism.
Acknowledgment
Reviewers should point out any source the author used yet failed to acknowledge or reference in their manuscript. Reviewers must notify the editorial board of any salient similarity they spot between the submitted article and any other known to them.
Conflicts of Interest
Reviewers who may have conflicts of interest for any reason should notify the Editorial Board so the latter can select a replacement. Information contained in the submitted material should not be used in the reviewers’ work. All information involved throughout the review process should be regarded as confidential. This also applies to all invited reviewers including those who decline the invitation.
For Publisher
Dealing with Unethical Publication Conduct
In the case of an alleged or proven scientific violation of fake information or plagiarism, the Editorial Board shall take appropriate measures to investigate the case and deal with it according to the procedures and bylaws of the Kuwait University Academic Publishing Council. This could lead to the complete withdrawal of the work.
