The SBS Journal of Applied Research is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity. As part of this commitment, all manuscripts submitted to the journal undergo a stringent external and independent peer review process. This process ensures that published articles meet the scholarly and ethical requirements expected in the field of applied business research and related disciplines. Below, we outline our review procedures in detail:

1. Double-Blind Peer Review
At the core of our review process is the double-blind methodology, which ensures objectivity and impartiality. In this system, both the identities of the authors and the reviewers are concealed from each other. Authors do not know the identity of the reviewers, and reviewers are not aware of the authors' identities. This mechanism safeguards the fairness of the review, preventing any potential bias based on the author’s identity, institutional affiliation, or reputation. It allows the manuscript to be evaluated solely on its academic merits—its contribution to the field, methodological rigor, originality, and clarity.

2. Selection of External Reviewers
The SBS Journal of Applied Research works with a global network of expert reviewers who are selected based on their specialized knowledge and research experience in the manuscript's subject area. To maintain the integrity of the review process, all reviewers are required to be external to the authors' institution. We ensure that reviewers have no prior or current affiliations with the authors or the institution where the research was conducted, thereby preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring an independent and unbiased evaluation of the manuscript.

3. Independence and Conflict of Interest Disclosure
To further guarantee impartiality, the journal has strict conflict-of-interest guidelines that apply to both reviewers and authors. Prior to being assigned a manuscript, potential reviewers are required to disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationships with the authors that could influence the objectivity of their review. If a conflict of interest is identified, the reviewer will be excused from the process, and a new, qualified reviewer will be assigned. Similarly, authors must disclose any relationships that could be perceived as conflicts of interest. This ensures transparency and preserves the integrity of the review process.

4. Rigorous Reviewer Assignment
Each submitted manuscript is initially reviewed by the editorial board to assess its relevance to the journal’s scope, as well as its adherence to basic submission guidelines. After this preliminary review, manuscripts that pass this stage are assigned to at least two independent experts in the relevant field for peer review. These reviewers are selected based on their expertise and track record in the manuscript’s specific area of research. In cases where the subject matter is interdisciplinary or requires highly specialized knowledge, additional reviewers may be sought to ensure a thorough evaluation of the manuscript’s content and methodology.

5. Review Process and Feedback
The reviewers evaluate the manuscript according to several key criteria, including its originality, theoretical foundation, research design, methodology, quality of data analysis, and relevance to the field. The reviewers also assess the clarity of the writing, the logical structure of the argument, and the significance of the findings. Reviewers provide constructive feedback, suggesting revisions where necessary to enhance the manuscript’s quality. Their evaluations, comments, and recommendations (accept, revise, or reject) are submitted anonymously to the editorial team.

6. Author-Revisions and Re-Evaluation
In the case of a "revise and resubmit" decision, authors are given the opportunity to address the reviewers' comments and make the necessary revisions. Once the revised manuscript is resubmitted, it may be sent back to the original reviewers for a second round of evaluation. In this re-evaluation stage, reviewers assess whether the authors have adequately addressed their concerns and whether the revisions have improved the manuscript’s academic quality. Additional rounds of revision and review may occur, depending on the depth of the changes required.

7. Transparency and Confidentiality
Throughout the entire review process, both the manuscript and the review reports are treated with the utmost confidentiality. Reviewers are instructed not to disclose any part of the manuscript or their review to others without explicit permission from the editorial team. Similarly, the identity of the reviewers is protected, ensuring that neither the authors nor any third parties know who reviewed the manuscript. This commitment to confidentiality ensures a free and open critique, where reviewers can provide honest and constructive feedback without fear of reprisal.

8. Final Decision by the Editorial Board
After the peer review process is complete, the editorial board carefully considers the reviewers' recommendations and feedback. The board makes the final decision regarding the manuscript’s acceptance, revision, or rejection. In cases where the reviewers' recommendations differ significantly, the editorial board may seek the input of an additional independent reviewer or make a decision based on a thorough internal review. The final decision is communicated to the authors along with detailed feedback from the reviewers.

9. Commitment to Ethical Standards
The SBS Journal of Applied Research is dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of the peer review process. We follow the guidelines set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and adhere to its principles regarding ethical publishing practices. The journal ensures that all articles are evaluated fairly and transparently, free from undue influence or bias, thus maintaining the credibility and academic value of the journal.

10. Ensuring Diversity in Review
We recognize the importance of diverse perspectives in the peer review process. Therefore, our editorial team actively seeks to include reviewers from a variety of geographic regions, institutional backgrounds, and research traditions. This diversity enriches the review process and contributes to a more balanced and comprehensive evaluation of manuscripts, reflecting the global nature of research in applied business fields.

By adhering to this robust and transparent peer review process, the SBS Journal of Applied Research ensures that the work published in our journal meets the highest standards of academic excellence, ethical integrity, and scholarly relevance.