12. Journal Business Model

Purpose

The Pakistan Journal of Gastroenterology (PJG) is committed to operating a transparent, ethical, and sustainable publishing model that supports the dissemination of high-quality scientific research while maintaining editorial independence. The Journal's business model ensures that editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit and are never influenced by financial considerations.

This policy is developed in accordance with the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing issued by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

12.1 Journal Ownership

The Pakistan Journal of Gastroenterology (PJG) is the official scientific journal of the Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (PSGE).

The Journal is managed by an independent Editorial Board, which is responsible for maintaining the scientific quality, editorial integrity, and ethical standards of the publication.

12.2 Financial Sustainability

The Journal operates through a combination of financial resources, which may include:

  • Support from the Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (PSGE).
  • Institutional support.
  • Article Processing Charges (APCs), where applicable.
  • Grants or sponsorships.
  • Educational partnerships.
  • Other lawful sources of funding.

The Journal does not permit any funding source to influence editorial or peer-review decisions.

12.3 Article Processing Charges (APCs)

Where applicable, Article Processing Charges (APCs) or publication fees will be:

  • Clearly stated on the Journal website.
  • Communicated to authors before manuscript submission.
  • Applied in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.

Payment of APCs does not guarantee manuscript acceptance.

All manuscripts undergo the same editorial screening and independent peer-review process regardless of payment.

12.4 Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of:

  • Scientific quality.
  • Originality.
  • Methodological rigor.
  • Ethical compliance.
  • Relevance to the Journal's scope.

Editors, reviewers, sponsors, advertisers, and funding organizations have no influence over editorial decisions.

Acceptance or rejection of manuscripts is completely independent of the Journal's financial interests.

12.5 Advertising

Where advertising is accepted, it must:

  • Be clearly distinguishable from editorial content.
  • Not influence editorial decisions.
  • Comply with applicable legal and ethical standards.
  • Not compromise the integrity or independence of the Journal.

The Editorial Board retains full authority over editorial content regardless of advertising relationships.

12.6 Sponsorship

The Journal may receive sponsorship from academic institutions, professional societies, government agencies, or other organizations.

Sponsors shall have no role in:

  • Manuscript submission.
  • Peer review.
  • Editorial evaluation.
  • Acceptance or rejection decisions.
  • Publication scheduling.

All sponsorship arrangements will be managed transparently.

12.7 Waivers and Discounts

Where APCs apply, the Journal may consider partial or full waivers for authors based on financial hardship, institutional policies, or other justified circumstances.

Requests for waivers will be evaluated independently and confidentially.

The granting or denial of a waiver will not affect the editorial evaluation of a manuscript.

12.8 Revenue and Editorial Integrity

Revenue generated through publication fees, sponsorship, advertising, or other lawful sources is used to support:

  • Editorial management.
  • Peer-review administration.
  • Website maintenance.
  • DOI registration.
  • Digital archiving and preservation.
  • Production and publication services.
  • Journal development and quality improvement.

Financial considerations shall never compromise the Journal's editorial independence or ethical standards.

12.9 Transparency

The Journal is committed to full transparency regarding:

  • Ownership.
  • Governance.
  • Publication charges.
  • Funding sources.
  • Sponsorship.
  • Advertising.
  • Editorial processes.

Current information regarding the Journal's business model is available on the Journal website.

12.10 Policy Compliance

By submitting a manuscript, authors acknowledge that:

  • Editorial decisions are independent of financial considerations.
  • Payment of publication charges, where applicable, does not influence the outcome of peer review.
  • They have reviewed and understood the Journal's business model and publication policies.

References

This policy has been developed in accordance with:

  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) – Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.
  • Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
  • Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA).
  • World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).
  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations.