Retraction Policy

The journal Smart Economy, Entrepreneurship and Security adheres to the principles of academic integrity and editorial responsibility. The retraction of published articles is conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and international standards of scholarly publishing, with the aim of maintaining the reliability and integrity of the scholarly record.

Definition of Retraction

Retraction is the formal withdrawal (annulment), including at the initiative of the author(s), of a previously published scientific article. The decision on retraction is made by the Editorial Board in cases where violations of publication ethics and/or significant shortcomings are identified that render the results of the article unreliable and unsuitable for scholarly use.

Such cases may include plagiarism or inappropriate borrowing of text, ideas, data, or results; absence of proper citation of original sources; fabrication or falsification of data; significant errors affecting the validity of conclusions; duplicate publication without proper disclosure; inappropriate authorship practices, including inclusion of individuals who did not make a substantial contribution or exclusion of those who did; compromised or unethical peer review processes; or undisclosed conflicts of interest that may have influenced the research outcomes.

Initiation and Investigation

The retraction process may be initiated by the Editorial Board, the authors, reviewers, readers, or other interested parties, including affiliated institutions. All allegations of potential misconduct are subject to mandatory verification. The Editorial Board conducts an investigation, with the possibility of involving independent experts where necessary. Authors are given the opportunity to provide explanations and supporting materials.

Decision-Making

Following the investigation, the Editorial Board makes a decision based on all available evidence and in accordance with international publication ethics standards. Depending on the nature and severity of the issue, the journal may implement corrective actions, publish an expression of concern, or retract the article.

Retraction Notice and Archiving

In the event of retraction, a formal retraction notice is published with a clear statement of the reasons for the retraction. The notice is indexed and assigned a separate Digital Object Identifier (DOI). The original article is not removed from the journal archive but remains accessible with a clear indication of its retracted status, ensuring transparency and preservation of the scholarly record.

Consequences and Appeals

Following retraction, the Editorial Board may notify the authors’ affiliated institutions and relevant indexing databases, and may impose restrictions on future submissions in cases of serious or repeated misconduct. Authors have the right to appeal the decision within ten working days. Appeals are reviewed by the Editorial Board, with the possibility of involving independent experts, after which a final decision is made.

Compliance with International Standards

The journal ensures that its retraction procedures comply with international standards of publication ethics, promoting transparency, accountability, and trust in scholarly communication.