Editorial Competing Interests

Editors must disclose any personal, professional, financial, institutional, or other relationships that could reasonably be perceived to influence their editorial judgment.

When a competing interest exists, the editor should not handle the affected manuscript. The manuscript should be reassigned to an independent editor who can conduct the evaluation impartially.

Relevant circumstances may include recent collaboration, shared institutional affiliations that create a conflict, supervisory relationships, close personal relationships, financial interests, or direct involvement in the work under consideration.

Disclosure and appropriate management of competing interests protect the credibility of editorial decisions and help maintain confidence in the journal's review process.