Reviewer Policy

The Governance and Management Review (GMR) relies on the expertise of its peer reviewers to maintain
the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity. This policy outlines the expectations, ethical
responsibilities, and procedural guidelines for all reviewers associated with the journal.
1. The Review Model
GMR operates a Double-Blind Peer Review system. To ensure the integrity of this process:
Reviewers must ensure their identity is not revealed in the text of their comments or document
properties.
Reviewers must notify the Editor immediately if they suspect they know the identity of the author.
The manuscript is a privileged document; reviewers must not share, cite, or use unpublished data from
the submission.
2. Ethical Code of Conduct
In accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), reviewers must adhere to the following:
Conflict of Interest: Reviewers must decline a review if they have a personal, financial, or
professional connection with the authors or the research that could bias their judgment.
Originality: Reviewers should alert the editor to any significant similarity between the manuscript
and published works they are aware of.
Constructive Criticism: Feedback must be professional and objective. Hostile or derogatory
comments are strictly prohibited.
3. Review Criteria
Reviewers are requested to evaluate manuscripts based on:
Contribution: Does the paper provide significant new insights into governance or management?
Methodology: Is the research design appropriate, and are the data analysis techniques rigorous?
Literature Review: Does the paper engage with relevant and contemporary academic discourse?
Structure: Is the argument logical and the language clear?
4. Formal Recommendation
Reviewers must provide one of the following clear recommendations to the Editorial Board:
1. Accept Submission: The manuscript is ready for publication as is.
2. Revisions Required: Minor changes are needed, which the Editor can verify.
3. Resubmit for Review: Major changes are required, followed by another round of external review.
4. Decline Submission: The manuscript does not meet the journal's standards or has fundamental
flaws.
5. Timeliness
To support the academic career of authors, GMR strives for efficient processing. Reviewers are expected to:
Respond to the initial invitation within 5–7 days.
Complete the review within 4 weeks of acceptance.
Inform the Editor immediately if an extension is required.
6. Recognition
GMR acknowledges the vital contribution of reviewers. Upon successful completion of a review, experts
may request a Reviewer Certificate from the Institute of Administrative Sciences, University of the Punjab,
for their professional portfolio.

For any queries regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your data, please contact the Editorial Office
at:
Governance and Management Review (GMR)
Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS), University of the Punjab
New Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email: amani.ias@pu.edu.pk

© 2026 Governance and Management Review (GMR). All Rights Reserved.
University of the Punjab, Lahore.

For any queries regarding this Reviewer Policy & Guidelines, please contact the Editorial Office at:
Governance and Management Review (GMR)
Institute of Administrative Sciences (IAS), University of the Punjab
New Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.
Email: amani.ias@pu.edu.pk

© 2026 Governance and Management Review (GMR). All Rights Reserved.