APC Policy

PURPOSE

This policy outlines the Article Processing Charge (APC) framework adopted by Associated Management Consultants Private Limited to support the sustainable publication of its Journals. The APC helps cover editorial, peer review, production, hosting, and indexing costs while ensuring a high-quality publishing experience for authors and readers.

SCOPE

This APC policy applies only to the following journals published by Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd. All other subscription-based journals continue to operate without APCs, unless explicitly mentioned.

  • Indian Journal of Marketing
  • Indian Journal of Finance
  • Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management

WHAT APCs COVER ?

The APC contributes to the comprehensive lifecycle of article publication, ensuring professional handling, quality control, and long-term discoverability. It includes:

Manuscript Submission Handling

  • Maintenance of secure online submission systems.
  • Technical support for authors and reviewers.

Editorial Management

  • Assignment of qualified editors and subject-specific reviewers.
  • Initial editorial screening for scope, originality, and compliance.
  • Management of the peer review process.

Peer Review Process

  • Coordination with reviewers and communication with authors.
  • Monitoring the quality and ethics of the review process.
  • Editorial decisions based solely on scholarly merit.
  • Plagiarism Detection and Ethical Compliance.
  • Use of tools like Turnitin or iThenticate for plagiarism checks.
  • Adherence to ethical guidelines (e.g., COPE, ICMJE).

Language Editing and Quality Improvement

  • Advanced-level editing for clarity and grammar (especially for non-native English speakers).
  • Adherence to journal formatting and style guidelines.
  • Copyediting and Typesetting.
  • Professional copyediting for consistency and readability.
  • Formatting in XML, PDF, and HTML for online publication.

Proofing and Final Author Approval

  • Author review of final proof prior to publication.
  • Incorporation of necessary corrections.
  • DOI Assignment and CrossRef Registration.
  • CrossRef metadata registration for persistent identification.

Digital Hosting and Online Publication

  • Hosting on a secure, responsive digital platform.
  • Mobile-friendly layout and long-term accessibility.

Archiving and Indexing

  • Digital preservation (Journal Website Archives).
  • Metadata submission to indexing databases, including Scopus.

Promotion and Dissemination

  • Inclusion in newsletters, social media, and academic outreach.
  • Author assistance with institutional repository deposits.

Post-Publication Support

  • Handling of corrections, errata, and updates.
  • Assistance with citation tracking and article impact metrics.

APC AMOUNT

The APC for each accepted article in Indian Journal of Marketing is INR 23,000/- (for Indian authors) and USD 350 (for International authors).

APCs are only payable after the article has been accepted following a double-blind peer - review. No submission charges or additional processing fees are levied.

WAIVER AND DISCOUNT POLICY

Associated Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is committed to supporting inclusive research dissemination. We offer:

  • Full or partial waivers for authors, research scholars, early-career researchers, and authors from public academic institutions only in Special cases,
  • Waivers/discounts for editorial board members and regular reviewers.
  • All waiver or discount requests must be submitted during the initial submission stage to the Editor at: editor@indianjournalofmarketing.com

REFUND POLICY

  • APCs are non-refundable once the article has been published.
  • If an article is withdrawn or retracted for ethical reasons after acceptance, no refunds will be issued.

INVOICING AND PAYMENT

  • An Email will be sent to the Corresponding Author after acceptance by the Editorial Assistant.
  • Payment is to be made within 15 calendar days of invoice issuance.
  • Accepted payment methods: Bank transfer.
  • Delay in payment may result in a delay in publication.

TRANSPARENCY AND EDITORIAL INTEGRITY

  • Payment of the APC does not influence editorial or peer review decisions.
  • All editorial decisions are made independently based on scholarly merit.
  • The publisher adheres to the ethical policies of COPE, DOAJ, and relevant academic standards.

POLICY REVIEW AND UPDATES

This APC policy is reviewed annually to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with industry standards. Any revisions will be communicated via journal websites and author notifications.