1. Our Commitment to Integrity

Boston Research Journals is built on a foundation of integrity, impartiality, and academic excellence. Our reputation as a renowned international publisher depends on the trust of the global research community. We are committed to conducting all aspects of our business ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws. This includes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption in any form.

This policy outlines our position on preventing and prohibiting bribery and corruption, in accordance with international standards such as the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

2. Policy Statement

Boston Research Journals strictly prohibits the offering, promising, giving, demanding, or accepting of any bribe, whether in the form of cash, gifts, or other inducements, to or from any person or company, wherever they are situated and whether they are a public official or a private person. This policy applies to all our operations, worldwide, without exception.

3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all individuals associated with or acting on behalf of Boston Research Journals, including:

• Staff and employees

• Editors (Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, Guest Editors, etc.)

• Advisory and Editorial Board members

• Peer reviewers

• Authors and co-authors

• Agents, contractors, consultants, and any other third parties acting on our behalf.

4. What is Bribery?

Bribery is the act of offering, giving, promising, asking, agreeing, receiving, or soliciting something of value in order to influence the actions of an individual or official in the performance of their duties.

Corruption is the abuse of an entrusted position for private gain.

An advantage can include, but is not limited to:

• Cash or cash equivalents (e.g., gift cards).

• Unreasonable gifts, entertainment, or hospitality.

• Loans, fees, or other financial considerations.

• Any other asset or favor that provides a personal benefit.

Facilitation Payments: These are small, unofficial payments made to secure or expedite a routine government action by a government official. Boston Research Journals strictly prohibits facilitation payments.

5. Prohibited Actions

All persons covered by this policy are prohibited from:

• Offering or Giving a Bribe: Promising or giving a financial or other advantage to any person with the intention of inducing or rewarding them for performing their function improperly.

• Requesting or Accepting a Bribe: Requesting or agreeing to receive a financial or other advantage in exchange for performing a function improperly.

• Bribing a Public Official: Offering an advantage to a local or foreign public official to influence them in their official capacity and to obtain or retain a business advantage.

• Using Third Parties: Engaging a third party to perform any of the prohibited acts listed above on behalf of Boston Research Journals.

6. Gifts, Hospitality, and Donations

This policy does not prohibit normal and appropriate corporate hospitality or the giving of modest gifts, provided they are:

• Transparent: Given openly, not secretly.

• Reasonable: Of modest value and appropriate for the circumstances.

• Permitted: Allowed under local laws and the recipient’s own policies.

• Not an Inducement: Not offered with the expectation of influencing a decision or securing an unfair advantage.

Unacceptable actions include offering or accepting:

• Gifts of cash or cash equivalents.

• Gifts or hospitality that are lavish, extravagant, or could be seen as an attempt to influence a decision.

• Gifts or hospitality during a critical decision-making process (e.g., during manuscript review or an editorial appointment).

Any charitable or political donations made by Boston Research Journals must not be used as a subterfuge for bribery.

7. Responsibilities

• All Participants: Everyone covered by this policy has a responsibility to read, understand, and comply with it. You must not engage in any activity that could lead to or suggest a breach of this policy.

• Editors and Management: Have a particular responsibility to champion this policy, ensure individuals they oversee are aware of its requirements, and monitor for bribery risks.

8. Reporting a Concern (Whistleblowing)

The prevention, detection, and reporting of bribery are the responsibility of all. If you have any suspicion of, or concern about, a violation of this policy, you are encouraged to report it immediately.

Please report all concerns to our support team at:
[email protected]

All reports will be treated with the strictest confidence. Boston Research Journals is committed to ensuring that no one suffers any detrimental treatment or retaliation for reporting a concern in good faith.

9. Investigation and Consequences

Any report of a potential violation will be investigated promptly and thoroughly. A violation of this policy is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly.

For anyone found to be in breach of this policy, we will take appropriate disciplinary action, which may include:

• Rejection or retraction of a manuscript.

• Removal from a peer review assignment.

• Termination of an editorial, board, or employment position.

• A permanent ban from any association with Boston Research Journals.

• Reporting the matter to the relevant legal or regulatory authorities.

10. Record-Keeping

We will maintain accurate financial and business records that properly reflect all transactions and payments made on behalf of Boston Research Journals.

11. Questions

If you have any questions about this policy or are unsure whether a particular act constitutes bribery, please contact us for guidance at [email protected].