Conflict of Interest
A transparent framework for identifying, disclosing, assessing, managing, and documenting relationships or circumstances that may influence — or appear to influence — academic research, peer review, editorial decisions, publication, or institutional judgment.
Why Conflict of Interest Matters
Academic trust depends not only on the quality of research, but also on the transparency of the circumstances surrounding that research. A conflict of interest does not automatically mean that research is biased or that misconduct has occurred. The essential requirement is that relevant interests are disclosed and appropriately managed so that readers, reviewers, editors, and institutions can evaluate the work with appropriate context.
Purpose of the Framework
The O.G International Journal of Research & Innovation Studies (O.G IJRIS) requires conflicts of interest to be handled transparently and consistently throughout the research and publication process.
Transparency
Ensure that relevant relationships and interests are declared rather than concealed.
Independence
Protect academic decisions from inappropriate financial, personal, institutional, or professional influence.
Trust
Allow readers and the academic community to assess research with a clear understanding of relevant circumstances.
Types of Conflict of Interest
Conflicts may be actual, potential, or reasonably perceived. The following categories provide a practical framework for disclosure and assessment.
Financial Interests
Ownership, investments, consulting payments, grants, employment, patents, royalties, sponsorships, or other financial relationships that could reasonably be connected to the work.
Professional & Academic Interests
Competitive relationships, promotion interests, institutional rivalry, professional dependence, or circumstances where an outcome may affect academic standing or career advancement.
Personal & Familial Relationships
Close personal, familial, or other relationships that may affect objectivity in reviewing, editing, evaluating, or making publication decisions.
Institutional Interests
Relationships involving universities, organizations, employers, sponsors, laboratories, or other institutions that could benefit from a particular research outcome.
Intellectual or Ideological Interests
Strong intellectual positions, public advocacy, prior publications, or other commitments that could reasonably affect impartial evaluation.
Commercial & Sponsorship Interests
Industry sponsorship, commercial partnerships, product development, technology ownership, or contractual relationships connected to the work.
Editorial & Reviewer Conflicts
Situations where an editor or reviewer has a relationship with an author, institution, research topic, or competing work that may compromise impartiality.
Technology & AI-Related Interests
Ownership, employment, commercial partnerships, or financial interests involving AI systems, software, datasets, platforms, or technologies materially related to the research.
Disclosure Does Not Mean Misconduct
The existence of a conflict of interest does not by itself establish academic misconduct, research bias, or invalidity. O.G IJRIS distinguishes between the existence of an interest and the failure to manage or disclose that interest when disclosure is reasonably required.
Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are responsible for providing accurate and complete disclosure of relevant interests associated with the research, funding, analysis, technology, or publication process.
Before Submission
- Identify relevant financial and non-financial interests.
- Declare funding and sponsorship relationships.
- Disclose relevant institutional or commercial relationships.
- Ensure disclosures are accurate and current.
During Review
- Declare relationships that may affect impartiality.
- Request recusal when appropriate.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Avoid using privileged information for personal advantage.
Editorial Decisions
- Assess disclosed conflicts objectively.
- Arrange alternative reviewers when required.
- Document significant management decisions.
- Protect the independence of editorial judgment.
Managing a Declared Conflict
The appropriate response depends on the nature, seriousness, relevance, and timing of the conflict. Management may include disclosure, additional oversight, reassignment, recusal, independent review, or other safeguards.
Identify
Recognize the relevant relationship or interest.
Disclose
Provide a clear and timely declaration.
Assess
Determine relevance and possible influence.
Manage
Apply appropriate safeguards or recusal.
Document
Maintain an appropriate record of the decision.
A disclosed conflict may often be managed without preventing publication or participation. The objective is not to eliminate every relationship, but to protect the integrity, transparency, and independence of the academic process.
Reviewer and Editorial Recusal
Reviewers and editors should not participate in decisions where their relationship with an author, institution, competing research group, commercial entity, or other relevant interest could reasonably compromise impartiality.
Recusal
A reviewer or editor may be removed from the relevant stage of the process where impartiality is reasonably questioned.
Independent Review
An alternative qualified reviewer or editor may be appointed where additional independence is required.
Confidentiality
Confidential manuscript information must not be used to obtain personal, professional, commercial, or competitive advantage.
Undisclosed or Newly Identified Conflicts
If a relevant conflict is discovered after submission, review, acceptance, or publication, O.G IJRIS may reassess the matter according to its significance and potential effect on the academic record.
Before Publication
The editorial process may be paused while the disclosure is assessed and appropriate safeguards are established.
After Publication
A published disclosure, correction, editorial notice, reassessment, or other appropriate action may be considered when justified.
Good-Faith Disclosure
Prompt correction of an incomplete or inaccurate disclosure is encouraged and will be assessed according to the circumstances.
AI, Technology & Commercial Relationships
Modern research may involve artificial intelligence systems, software platforms, proprietary datasets, technology vendors, commercial laboratories, or other digital services. Such relationships should be disclosed when they create a relevant financial, professional, institutional, or commercial interest.
The use of AI does not remove human responsibility for transparency. Researchers, reviewers, and editors remain responsible for identifying relevant interests and ensuring that technological relationships do not compromise academic judgment.
- Disclose relevant ownership or financial relationships with technology providers.
- Declare commercial sponsorship connected to AI systems, software, or datasets.
- Identify material relationships that could influence interpretation or reporting.
- Maintain human responsibility for academic and editorial decisions.
- Distinguish legitimate technology use from undisclosed commercial influence.
O.G IJRIS Decision Principle
Conflict-of-interest decisions should be proportionate, evidence-based, documented, and focused on protecting the integrity of the academic record rather than creating unnecessary barriers to legitimate research.
Relevant
Is the relationship reasonably connected to the research, review, or decision?
Material
Could the interest reasonably influence, or appear to influence, academic judgment?
Manageable
Can transparency, recusal, independent review, or another safeguard adequately manage the concern?
O.G IJRIS Commitment
O.G IJRIS is committed to a research and publication environment in which relevant interests are disclosed, academic decisions remain independent, and conflicts are managed fairly and transparently. The objective is to protect confidence in the research record while respecting legitimate professional, academic, institutional, and commercial relationships.