Our Editorial Process

The editorial process for the Journal of Leadership, Strategy, and Impact in Africa is designed to ensure that each manuscript meets the highest standards of academic integrity and quality. Below is a breakdown of the key stages involved in the submission, review, and publication of articles.

Stage 1: Submission and Initial Review

  1. Author Registration: Authors create an account on the journal’s submission platform. During registration, they provide contact details and relevant affiliation information to ensure accurate communication and tracking throughout the editorial process.
  2. Article Submission: Once registered, authors upload their manuscript (along with any supplementary files) directly through the online system. They must also provide essential metadata (e.g., title, abstract, keywords) to facilitate indexing and review.
  3. Initial Quality Check: An editorial assistant conducts a preliminary review of the submission to confirm it meets the journal’s formal requirements, such as adherence to word limits, citation style, and overall formatting. Submissions that do not comply may be returned to authors for adjustments.
  4. Assignment to Editor-in-Chief: After passing the initial check, the manuscript is sent to the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief evaluates its alignment with the journal’s scope and determines whether it should proceed to peer review. Manuscripts deemed unsuitable at this stage are declined with constructive feedback where possible.

Stage 2: Peer Review and Evaluation

  1. Editor-in-Chief Evaluation: If the manuscript aligns with the journal’s scope and initial standards, the Editor-in-Chief selects two independent peer reviewers with expertise relevant to the subject matter. The journal employs a double-blind review process, ensuring anonymity for both authors and reviewers.
  2. Peer Review: Reviewers typically have four weeks to evaluate the article’s methodology, originality, clarity, and overall contribution to the field. They provide written feedback, highlighting strengths and suggesting areas for improvement.
  3. Recommendation Based on Reviews: The Editor-in-Chief carefully examines the reviewers’ comments along with the article’s content and then makes a provisional decision: acceptance, minor revision, major revision, or rejection. The author is promptly notified of this outcome and given access to the reviewers’ feedback.

Stage 3: Revisions and Post-Revision Review

  1. Revisions (if necessary): If revisions are required, the authors receive specific guidance based on the reviewers’ comments. Authors should address each point carefully and resubmit the revised manuscript within a designated timeframe. Clear, detailed responses to reviewer remarks often expedite this step.
  2. Post-Revision Review: Upon receiving the revised manuscript, the Editor-in-Chief checks whether the authors have satisfactorily addressed the reviewers’ concerns. For extensive revisions, the updated manuscript may be sent back to the original reviewers for a second evaluation. Once all required changes are implemented, and the article meets the journal’s quality standards, it is formally accepted for publication.

Stage 4: Finalisation and Publication

  1. Copy Editing: The accepted manuscript undergoes professional copy editing to refine grammar, syntax, and overall readability. Editors also ensure that references and citations are accurate and consistent with the journal’s style.
  2. Proofreading and Layout Editing: After copy editing, the manuscript is reviewed again for typographical errors, formatting issues, and layout adjustments. This step helps maintain a professional appearance and user-friendly layout in the final publication.
  3. Creation of Galleys: Once formatting is finalised, galley proofs (print-ready versions) are generated. Both the author and the editorial team examine these proofs to verify that all revisions have been correctly applied and no new errors have been introduced.
  4. Final Article Approval: Authors are asked to review the galley proofs and confirm that everything is accurate. Any minor last-minute changes can be addressed at this stage. Once the authors and the Editor are satisfied, the manuscript is approved for publication.
  5. Production and Publication: The final step involves preparing the article for release in the journal’s upcoming issue or as part of a continuous publication model. The work is then published online, indexed in relevant databases, and made accessible to the journal’s readership.