Journal working process

This guide shows how a manuscript moves through the Journal of Business Administration (JBA) website — from author registration to editorial decision. Use the screenshots and numbered steps below.

Download PDF — four workflow updates (with screenshots)

Site: https://journal.iba-du.edu  |  Help: journal@iba-du.edu

Overview Authors Editors Plagiarism checkers Reviewers Status meanings

1. How a paper moves

Four roles take part. Authors create their own accounts. Editors create accounts for plagiarism checkers and reviewers.

2. Authors

2.1 Register

1. Open the site and click Register (top right).
2. Fill First name, Affiliation, and Country (required). Last name is optional.
3. Enter Email, Username, Password, and Repeat password.
4. Tick the privacy consent box, then click Register.

2.2 Login

1. Click Login (top right).
2. Enter your Email address and Password.
3. Optional: tick Remember me.
4. Click Login. Authors are taken to the submission guidelines / new paper area.
5. Use Forgot password? if you cannot sign in.

2.3 Submit a paper

Menu: Submit A Paper → read the Author Guidelines → Click Here To Submit A Paper (you must be logged in). Direct page: /paper-submission.

1. Enter Paper Title, Abstract, Keywords, Research Area, and JEL Code.
2. Upload the manuscript as Word (.doc / .docx) and again as PDF. Use a single-column layout.
3. Optional: write a Message to the Editor/Reviewer.
4. Fill Authors' Details (salutation, full name, designation, organization, email, mobile). Click Add Another Author for co-authors.
5. Fill Address for Communication (country is required).
6. Click the submit button. You are redirected to Profile with a success message.

2.4 Track your submission

1. Open Profile (top menu after login).
2. Under My Submission, find the paper ID, title, files, and status badge.
3. Status starts as Submitted, then may become Assigned, Under Review, Accepted, or Rejected.
4. When the editor approves a review, you see Reviewer 1, Reviewer 2, Reviewer 3 with full comments and any file the reviewer uploaded (not their name). Confidential notes to the editor stay hidden.
5. Editor comments (posted for you and the reviewers) appear on the same page.
6. After you can see those reviews, upload a revised manuscript as version 2, 3, 4… (Word + PDF) in the Files column.

3. Editors

After login, open Dashboard (All submissions) or Profile → All submissions (papers).

1. Search by title, author, email, keywords, JEL/IET code, research area, status, or ID.
2. Open Read more for abstract, plagiarism result, and review rounds.
3. Download author files: PDF (author) / File (author).
4. Optional: upload editor copies (PDF and DOC) and click Upload.
5. Set Workflow status:
   • Submitted — newly received
   • Assign for plagiarism — sends the paper to the plagiarism checker queue
   • Under review — peer review (also set automatically when you send to a reviewer)
   • Accept / Reject — final decision (author is emailed when applicable)
6. After a clean plagiarism result, choose a reviewer and click Send (emails login link). A 14-day sign-in link is emailed and shown on screen so you can copy it. Use Send login link again later if needed.
7. When a review form is complete, click Approve Reviewer 1/2/3 for author. Only then can the author see that reviewer’s comments and uploaded file.
8. Post an editor comment (visible to the author and assigned reviewers).
9. Record Reviewer payment date if needed.
10. Manage accounts under Users (create Author, Editor, Reviewer, or Plagiarism Checker).

4. Plagiarism checkers

After login you land on Dashboard (/plagiarism-dashboard). Only papers with status Assign for plagiarism and no result yet appear under pending.

1. Open Pending plagiarism checks.
2. Click View PDF / View Word file and run your similarity check offline.
3. Choose a result: Plagiarism is above 20% or Plagiarism is below 20%.
4. Optional: enter a comment. Upload the full plagiarism report as PDF or image (JPG, PNG, GIF, or WebP).
5. Click Submit Result. You can add or replace the report later under Already submitted plagiarism results.

5. Reviewers

After login, open Dashboard (/reviewer/papers). Only papers assigned to you and still under review appear when action is needed.

1. Under Action required, open the manuscript files (Author PDF / Author file, and Editor PDF / Editor DOC if uploaded).
2. Click Read more for abstract and details.
3. Respond to the invitation:
   • I will review this paper — accept this round
   • I cannot review this paper — decline
4. After accepting, click Submit review form. Complete comments (required) and the criteria fields (originality, analytical rigour, clarity, research applications, internationality). Confidential comments go only to the editor.
5. Choose a recommendation:
   • Paper is fully OK
   • Paper maybe accepted, after changes
   • Paper has major changes
   • Paper cannot be accepted at all
6. Optional: attach an annotated manuscript (PDF or Word), then submit. Finished work appears under Completed.

6. Status meanings

For manuscript style rules, see Author Guidelines. To start a submission, go to Submit A Paper.