Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Overview

The Review of Economics, Accounting, Business, and Management Studies (REABMS) recognizes the growing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in scholarly research and academic writing. While AI-assisted tools may support certain aspects of the research and manuscript preparation process, they do not replace the intellectual, ethical, and professional responsibilities of authors, reviewers, or editors.

REABMS permits the responsible and transparent use of generative AI tools provided that such use complies with the journal's standards for research integrity, originality, authorship, confidentiality, and ethical scholarly publishing. Authors remain fully accountable for all content submitted to the journal, regardless of whether AI technologies were used during the research or writing process.

Scope of this Policy

This policy applies throughout the research, writing, peer review, editorial, and publication processes. It encompasses all generative AI systems and large language models (LLMs), including but not limited to:

ChatGPT Gemini Claude Microsoft Copilot Perplexity AI DeepSeek Grok

* Includes other AI systems capable of generating text, images, code, data analysis, or other scholarly content.

Acceptable Uses by Authors

REABMS permits authors to use AI-assisted tools for limited support functions, provided that appropriate human oversight is maintained. Acceptable uses include:

  • Improving grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity
  • Enhancing readability and writing style
  • Organizing manuscript structure
  • Formatting references (subject to author verification)
  • Translation of text between languages
  • Brainstorming research ideas
  • Generating outlines for manuscript preparation
  • Assisting with computer programming or statistical code
  • Supporting literature searches (when independently verified)
All AI-assisted outputs must be carefully reviewed, edited, verified, and approved by the authors before submission.

Unacceptable Uses

Generative AI must not be used to:

  • Fabricate or falsify research data
  • Generate fictitious participants, experiments, interviews, or datasets
  • Invent references, citations, or bibliographic information
  • Create misleading statistical analyses or research findings
  • Produce fraudulent images, figures, or graphical data
  • Replace genuine scholarly interpretation or critical analysis
  • Conceal plagiarism or duplicate publication
  • Circumvent ethical review requirements
  • Generate peer review reports under another person's identity
Intentional misrepresentation constitutes research misconduct and may result in rejection, retraction, or other editorial action.

Disclosure of AI Use

Authors must disclose the use of generative AI when it has made a substantive contribution to manuscript preparation or the research process. Disclosure should be included in an appropriate section (e.g., Acknowledgments, Methods, or AI Disclosure Statement) and describe:

  • The name of the AI tool used (and version, if applicable)
  • The purpose for which it was used
  • The extent of AI assistance

Example Disclosure Statement:

"The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to assist with improving the grammatical clarity and language of the manuscript. All AI-generated suggestions were critically reviewed, edited, and verified by the authors, who accept full responsibility for the content of the manuscript."

Routine language editing that does not substantially affect the scholarly content may not require detailed disclosure; however, transparency is encouraged.

Authorship Restrictions

Generative AI tools cannot be listed as authors. AI systems cannot satisfy internationally accepted criteria because they cannot:

  • Make independent intellectual contributions
  • Accept responsibility for published work
  • Approve the final manuscript
  • Disclose conflicts of interest
  • Assume legal or ethical accountability

Only natural persons satisfying authorship requirements may be listed as authors.

Author Responsibility

The use of AI does not transfer responsibility from the authors to the AI system or its developer. Authors remain fully responsible for:

  • Manuscript originality
  • Accuracy of information
  • Verification of AI content
  • Proper citation of sources
  • Ethical compliance
  • Accuracy of statistics
  • Interpretation of findings

Accuracy of AI-Generated Content

Generative AI systems may produce inaccurate, fabricated, outdated, or misleading information ("hallucinations"). Authors must independently verify:

Facts Statistical information References & Citations Quotations Data interpretation Legal or regulatory info Financial information Mathematical calculations

Submission of unverified AI-generated information may constitute negligence or research misconduct.

Confidentiality

Authors should exercise caution when using publicly available AI platforms and should not upload confidential materials unless compliant with institutional policies, funding agreements, data protection regulations, and IP agreements.

Sensitive materials may include:

  • Unpublished manuscripts
  • Confidential datasets
  • Personal participant info
  • Proprietary business info
  • Peer review reports
  • Grant proposals

Authors remain responsible for protecting confidential information.

AI Use by Reviewers

Peer reviewers must not upload confidential manuscripts or portions of manuscripts into publicly available generative AI systems without prior authorization from the Editorial Office. Reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality
  • Conduct independent scholarly evaluations
  • Prepare original review reports
  • Avoid using AI systems in ways that could compromise manuscript confidentiality or IP
Review reports must represent the reviewer's own scholarly assessment.

AI Use by Editors

Editors should exercise professional judgment when using AI-assisted technologies. Editors must ensure that:

  • Editorial decisions remain independent
  • Confidential manuscripts are protected
  • AI tools do not replace editorial expertise
  • Decisions are based on scholarly merit rather than automated recommendations
The Editor-in-Chief retains full responsibility for all editorial decisions.

Editorial Actions

If inappropriate AI use is confirmed, REABMS may take one or more of the following actions depending on the seriousness of the concern:

  • Request revision or correction
  • Require disclosure of AI use
  • Reject the manuscript
  • Withdraw the manuscript from editorial consideration
  • Publish a correction after publication
  • Issue an Expression of Concern
  • Retract a published article
  • Notify relevant institutions or funding agencies

Editorial actions will be proportionate to the nature and severity of the violation.

Detection of Undisclosed AI Use

Where undisclosed or inappropriate AI use is suspected, the Editorial Office may request clarification, request disclosure of AI assistance, request supporting documentation, suspend review during investigation, or seek expert advice.

Investigations will be conducted fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the journal's Publication Ethics Policy.

Commitment to Responsible AI Use

The Review of Economics, Accounting, Business, and Management Studies (REABMS) supports the responsible, transparent, and ethical use of artificial intelligence in scholarly publishing. The journal recognizes the potential of AI technologies to improve research productivity while emphasizing that scientific integrity, intellectual responsibility, and ethical decision-making must always remain under human control. By requiring transparency, accountability, and appropriate disclosure, REABMS seeks to ensure that AI serves as a tool to support—not replace—rigorous scholarly inquiry and responsible academic authorship.

This policy is informed by the guidance and best practices of: