About the Journal
Learn about JEND's mission, editorial standards, and commitment to
advancing entrepreneurship research in Africa and beyond.
WHO WE ARE
Business Search: A Journal of School of Business and Management Technology at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri is an open-access journal that publishes original and peer-reviewed research papers on all aspects of management science.
We are committed to raising a new generation of innovative entrepreneurs and transformational business leaders in Nigeria and beyond. Founded to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world business practice, the department provides high-quality programmes that empower students with critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Our goal is to equip graduates with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to create sustainable businesses, drive economic growth, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Subject covered by the journal includes Strategic Business Management, Technologies and Information Management, Entrepreneurship and Management of Innovation, etc.
JOURNAL MISSION:
To bring scholarship and penmanship for practical use in the business world.
JOURNAL VISION:
"To be the leading platform for groundbreaking research that bridges the gap between theory and practices."
Author Guidelines
Business Search: A Journal of School of Business and Management Technology follow a gold open access model, which means that all articles are freely accessible online without any subscription barriers. This approach ensures that our research is available to the entire scientific community.
By adopting an open access model, we uphold the principle that research and scientific discoveries should be universally accessible. This model not only boosts the visibility of authors’ work but also enhances scholarly communication, thereby amplifying the impact and reach of the research published in our journal.
EDITORIAL POLICIES
1. Peer Review Process
All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the quality and integrity of the research published. The review process is double-blind, meaning both the reviewers and the authors remain anonymous to each other throughout the review process.
2. Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is original and has not been published elsewhere. Manuscripts are checked for plagiarism using appropriate software. Any manuscript with a high similarity index may be rejected or returned to the authors for revision.
3. Authorship
All authors listed on the manuscript should have made a significant contribution to the research and approved the final version of the paper. Changes to the list of authors after submission must be approved by all co-authors.
4. Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be viewed as potential conflicts of interest. Reviewers and editors must also declare any conflicts of interest and, if necessary, recuse themselves from the review process.
5. Ethical Considerations
Research involving human subjects or animals must adhere to ethical standards and obtain necessary approvals from relevant ethics committees. Authors must include a statement confirming that ethical approval was obtained and that participants gave informed consent.
6. Data Availability
Authors are encouraged to make their research data publicly available and provide a data availability statement. This promotes transparency and allows others to replicate and build upon the research.
7. Corrections and Retractions
If significant errors are found in a published article, the journal will issue a correction. In cases of serious misconduct or fraudulent data, the article may be retracted.
8. Authors are responsible for promptly informing the journal of any errors discovered after publication.
Please note: Once a paper is published, any withdrawal/retraction will not be eligible for a refund of the publication fee.
9. Repository Policy
Authors are encouraged to deposit their published articles in institutional or other repositories immediately following publication, using the final published version (publisher’s PDF).
10. Publication Fees
To support open-access publication, a publication fee may be charged. Information about publication fees will be clearly communicated.
11. Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain the copyright of their work but grant the journal the right to publish the article. All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), allowing for broad dissemination and use.
12. Misconduct and Ethical Violations
Business Search: A Journal of School of Business and Management Technology take allegations of misconduct seriously. This includes plagiarism, data fabrication, and ethical violations.
13. Transparency in Review and Publication
The journal is committed to transparency in its editorial and peer review processes. Decision letters, reviewer comments, and author responses are documented and stored to ensure accountability and clarity.
These editorial policies ensure that Business Search: A Journal of School of Business and Management Technology maintain the highest standards of academic integrity, quality, and transparency.
AUTHOR & STYLE GUIDELINES
Welcome to the Business Search: A Journal of School of Business and Management Technology. To ensure a smooth submission process and that your manuscript meets our standards, please follow these guidelines:
1. Submission Process
Manuscript Submission: Submit your manuscript via our online submission system. Ensure your manuscript adheres to our formatting and submission guidelines.
2. Page Setup
Page Size: A4
Margins:
Top: 0.76 inches
Bottom: 0.42 inches
Left: 0.42 inches
Right: 0.42 inches
3. Header and Footer
Header: 0.24 inches from the top
Footer: 0.28 inches from the bottom
4. Font and Spacing
Font: Times New Roman, size 12 throughout the document
Line Spacing: Single (1.0)
Paragraph Spacing: 12pt before and after each paragraph
5. Title Page
Paper Title: Bold, centered, font size 18
Author Names and Affiliations: Bold, centered, font size 12
Corresponding Author: Identify with an asterisk (*) and provide contact details.
6. Abstract and Keywords
Abstract: Provide a summary (250-300 words) of the research, including objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
Keywords: Include 3-5 keywords relevant to your study.
7. Main Text
Headings:
Main Headings (IMRD sections like Abstract, Introduction, etc.): Bold, uppercase, font size 14
Subheadings: Bold, font size 12
Other Content/Text: Font size 12
8. Figures and Tables
Placement: Insert within the manuscript, near their first mention.
Quality: Ensure high resolution and clarity.
Captions: Provide descriptive captions for all figures and tables.
9. References
Style: Numeric form (e.g., 1., 2., 3., etc.)
Format: Follow APA (American Psychological Association) style for citations and references. Ensure completeness and correctness.
10. Ethical Considerations
Ethical Approval: Include a statement confirming that ethical approval was obtained for research involving human subjects or animals.
Conflict of Interest: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
11. Data Availability
Statement: Indicate the availability of data. Provide links or references if data is publicly available. If not, provide a rationale.
12. Revisions
Revised Manuscripts: Address all reviewers’ comments thoroughly and resubmit the revised manuscript along with a detailed response letter.
13. Copyright and Licensing
License: All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), permitting unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the work with proper attribution.
By following these guidelines, you help us ensure a smooth review and publication process. We look forward to receiving your submission and appreciate your contribution to the field of social science research.
Publication Fees:
The publication fee is $17 (and free certificates for all authors.)
EDITORIAL PROCESS
1. SUBMISSION
Manuscript Submission: Authors submit their manuscripts through our online submission system. The manuscript must adhere to the journal’s formatting and submission guidelines.
2. INITIAL EVALUATION
Preliminary Check: The editorial office conducts an initial check to ensure the submission complies with the journal’s guidelines and scope. Manuscripts that do not meet the basic criteria may be returned to the authors for revision or rejected outright.
3. PEER REVIEW
Editor Assignment: An appropriate editor with expertise in the manuscript’s subject area is assigned to oversee the review process.
Reviewer Selection: The assigned editor selects at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the relevant field. Reviewers are invited to provide a thorough and unbiased evaluation of the manuscript.
Review Process: Reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on originality, methodological rigor, significance, clarity, and contribution to the field. They provide detailed feedback and recommend one of the following actions:
i. Accept
ii. Accepted with changes
iii. Revisions
iv. Reject
4. DECISION MAKING
Editor Decision: Based on the reviewers’ feedback, the assigned editor makes a decision. If revisions are required, the manuscript is returned to the authors with detailed comments for improvement.
Revision and Re-submission: Authors revise the manuscript according to the reviewers’ and editor’s comments and resubmit it for further evaluation. The revised manuscript may undergo additional rounds of review if necessary.
Final Decision: The editor makes a final decision based on the revised manuscript and additional reviewer feedback (if applicable). The possible outcomes are acceptance or rejection.
REVIEWER GUIDELINES
1. REVIEW ASSIGNMENT
Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality throughout the review process. Do not disclose any details of the manuscript or review process to others.
Conflict of Interest: If you have any conflicts of interest related to the manuscript, including personal, financial, or professional connections to the authors, notify the editorial office immediately and recuse yourself from the review.
2. REVIEW PROCESS
Timeliness: Review the manuscript within the time frame provided. If you require additional time, contact the editorial office as soon as possible.
Scope of Review: Assess the manuscript’s originality, significance, methodological rigor, clarity, and contribution to the field. Consider whether the study advances knowledge in the social sciences.
3. REVIEW CRITERIA
Relevance: Evaluate if the manuscript is relevant to the journal’s scope and objectives.
Originality: Assess the originality of the research and whether it provides new insights or advances existing knowledge.
Methodology: Review the research design, methods, and data analysis for rigor and appropriateness.
Results and Interpretation: Ensure that results are presented clearly and are supported by the data. Consider whether the conclusions are justified based on the findings.
Clarity and Structure: Check for clarity in writing and organization. Ensure that the manuscript is well-structured and free of grammatical and typographical errors.
References: Verify that the manuscript cites relevant and recent literature and that references are complete and accurate.
4. FEEDBACK
Constructive Comments: Provide detailed, constructive feedback that will help authors improve their manuscript. Be specific about strengths and weaknesses.
Recommendations: Based on your review, recommend one of the following actions:
i. Accept
ii. Minor revisions
iii. Major revisions
iv. Reject
Anonymity: Your comments will be shared with the authors, so please maintain professionalism and avoid personal remarks.
5. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Ethical Standards: Ensure that the manuscript adheres to ethical standards, including proper citation practices, ethical treatment of research subjects, and transparency in reporting.
Data Integrity: Be vigilant for signs of data manipulation, fabrication, or plagiarism. Report any concerns to the editorial office.
6. REVISIONS
Follow-up: If the manuscript is returned to the authors for revisions, review the revised manuscript to ensure that all your comments and suggestions have been addressed.
7. FINAL DECISION
Editorial Decision: The final decision on the manuscript will be made by the editor based on your review and the feedback from other reviewers. Your recommendation will be a key factor in this decision.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND ETHICS
Review Confidentiality: Do not discuss or share information about the manuscript or the review process with anyone outside of the review process.
Ethical Review: Follow ethical guidelines for reviewing manuscripts and ensure a fair and unbiased assessment.