APC Policy

PURPOSE

This policy outlines the Article Processing Charge (APC) framework adopted by “Saud: The Journal of Commerce, Management and Economics” to support sustainable publication of the Journal. The APC helps cover editorial, peer review, production, hosting while ensuring a high-quality publishing experience for authors and readers.

WHAT APCs COVER?

The APC contributes to the comprehensive lifecycle of article publication, ensuring professional handling, quality control, and long-term discoverability. It includes:

Manuscript Submission Handling

  • Maintenance of secure online submission systems.
  • Technical support for authors and reviewers.

Peer Review Process

  • Coordination with reviewers and communication with authors.
  • Monitoring the quality and ethics of the review process.
  • Editorial decisions based solely on scholarly merit.
  • Plagiarism Detection and Ethical Compliance.
  • Use of tools like Turnitin or iThenticate for plagiarism checks.

Language Editing and Quality Improvement

  • Advanced-level editing for clarity and grammar (especially for non-native English speakers).
  • Adherence to journal formatting and style guidelines.
  • Copyediting and Typesetting.
  • Professional copyediting for consistency and readability.
  • Formatting in XML, PDF, and HTML for online publication.

Digital Hosting and Online Publication

  • Hosting on a secure, responsive digital platform.
  • Mobile-friendly layout and long-term accessibility.

Archiving

  • Digital preservation (Journal Website Archives).

Promotion and Dissemination

  • Inclusion in newsletters, social media, and academic outreach.
  • Author assistance with institutional repository deposits.

Post-Publication Support

  • Handling of corrections, errata, and updates.
  • Assistance with citation tracking and article impact metrics.

APC AMOUNT

The APC for each accepted article in “Saud: The Journal of Commerce, Management and Economics”  is INR 1,000/- .

APCs are only payable after the article has been accepted following a double-blind peer – review. No submission charges or additional processing fees are levied.

REFUND POLICY

  • APCs are non-refundable once the article has been published.
  • If an article is withdrawn or retracted for ethical reasons after acceptance, no refunds will be issued.

PAYMENT

  • An Email will be sent to the Corresponding Author after acceptance by the Editorial Assistant.
  • Payment is to be made within 15 calendar days of receiving the acceptance mail.
  • Accepted payment methods: Bank transfer.
  • Delay in payment may result in a delay in publication.

TRANSPARENCY AND EDITORIAL INTEGRITY

  • Payment of the APC does not influence editorial or peer review decisions.
  • All editorial decisions are made independently based on scholarly merit.
  • The publisher adheres to the ethical policies of COPE, DOAJ, and relevant academic standards.

POLICY REVIEW AND UPDATES

This APC policy is reviewed annually to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with industry standards. Any revisions will be communicated via journal websites and author notifications.