Plagiarism and AI Policy

Plagiarism and AI Policy

Research Studies of Business (RSB)

1. Introduction

The Research Studies of Business (RSB) journal is dedicated to publishing original, high-quality research in business, management, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and related disciplines. Maintaining academic integrity and ethical research standards is of paramount importance.

RSB enforces strict policies regarding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research, writing, and publication.

All authors submitting manuscripts to RSB are required to comply with this policy. Non-compliance may result in manuscript rejection, retraction, or other disciplinary action.

2. Plagiarism Policy

2.1 Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of another individual’s ideas, language, research findings, or data as one’s own without proper attribution. In business research, plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

  • Copying text verbatim from books, journal articles, reports, or online sources without citation.

  • Paraphrasing theories, conceptual frameworks, or analyses without proper acknowledgment.

  • Using case studies, company reports, financial data, or survey results without attribution.

  • Presenting others’ tables, figures, graphs, models, or analytical results as original work.

  • Using unpublished theses, dissertations, or conference papers without proper referencing.

Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, is considered a serious breach of academic ethics.

2.2 Self-Plagiarism

Self-plagiarism occurs when authors reuse significant portions of their previously published work without proper citation or disclosure. This may include:

  • Reusing literature review sections or theoretical frameworks.

  • Repeating methodology or analytical approaches.

  • Presenting previously published data or findings as new.

Self-plagiarism is acceptable only if:

  • The reused content is minimal and properly cited.

  • The manuscript provides significant new insights, analysis, or empirical evidence.

  • Prior publications are disclosed during submission.

Duplicate submission or redundant publication is strictly prohibited.

2.3 Plagiarism Screening

All manuscripts submitted to RSB undergo plagiarism screening using professional similarity-detection software.

  • A similarity index below 15% (excluding references and standard phrases) is generally acceptable.

  • Similarity in methodology or commonly used terminology may be tolerated if cited appropriately.

  • High similarity in literature review, analysis, discussion, or conclusion sections will result in rejection.

  • Reproducing tables, figures, datasets, or organizational case studies without permission results in automatic rejection.

2.4 Consequences of Plagiarism

If plagiarism is detected at any stage, RSB may take the following actions:

  • Immediate rejection of the manuscript.

  • Request for clarification, correction, or resubmission.

  • Retraction of published articles, with a formal retraction notice.

  • Notification to the author’s institution, funding agency, or professional association.

  • Temporary or permanent restriction from future submissions.

Plagiarism is treated as a serious ethical violation in line with international academic standards.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

3.1 Guiding Principle

RSB acknowledges the growing use of AI tools in research, writing, and data analysis. However, AI must support human scholarship and must not replace critical thinking, conceptual development, or original analysis.

3.2 Acceptable Uses of AI Tools

AI-assisted tools may be used for:

  • Grammar, spelling, and language refinement.

  • Formatting references, citations, headings, tables, and figures according to journal style.

  • Creating charts, graphs, or data visualizations from author-generated datasets.

  • Assisting in coding or categorization of qualitative data, provided outputs are manually verified by authors.

  • Supporting statistical calculations, financial modeling, or quantitative analysis, with authors independently verifying results.

All AI usage must be transparently disclosed in the manuscript.

3.3 Prohibited Uses of AI Tools

AI use is strictly prohibited for:

  • Generating literature reviews, theoretical frameworks, analysis, or conclusions.

  • Fabricating data, survey results, financial reports, or case study findings.

  • Producing fake citations, references, or bibliographies.

  • Interpreting results or making business recommendations without human verification.

  • Using AI to process sensitive client, organizational, or employee data in violation of ethical standards.

Misuse of AI constitutes academic misconduct.

3.4 AI Use Disclosure Requirement

Authors must include a dedicated AI Use Disclosure section in the manuscript specifying:

  • The AI tool(s) used.

  • The purpose of use.

  • A statement confirming that AI did not contribute to ideas, analysis, or intellectual content.

Sample disclosure statement:
“AI-assisted tools were used solely for language editing and reference formatting. All conceptual development, data analysis, and interpretations were conducted by the authors.”

Failure to disclose AI use may result in manuscript rejection.

3.5 Author Responsibility

Authors are fully responsible for:

  • Accuracy of AI-assisted content.

  • Ensuring no fabricated, biased, or erroneous information is included.

  • Maintaining confidentiality of research participants, clients, or organizational data.

  • Upholding ethical and professional standards in business research.

AI tools cannot be credited as authors or co-authors.

4. Editorial Responsibilities

The editorial board of RSB is responsible for:

  • Screening all submissions for plagiarism and AI misuse.

  • Verifying originality, methodological integrity, and ethical compliance.

  • Requesting supporting data, instruments, or documentation when necessary.

  • Ensuring transparency, fairness, and consistency in handling suspected violations.

  • Following international ethical standards such as COPE, APA, and other professional guidelines in business research.

5. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect:

  • Advances in AI technologies.

  • Emerging ethical challenges in business research.

  • Updates to international standards and best practices in academic publishing.

All revisions will be publicly available on the official journal website.