In all cases, Emerald will:
1. Act professionally and efficiently. We will reply to letters and emails within two working weeks of an initial complaint t explain the procedures that will be taken.
2. Be completely fair and objective.
3. Always read the evidence in detail before taking the next step.
4. Always approach the accused party to establish their position before making a decision or committing to a course of action.
5. Ensure that we provide sufficient time for all parties to respond.
6. Keep all parties informed of decisions, including the copyright owners, editors and authors.
7. As members of the Committee on Publication Ethics, follow the processes highlighted in the flowcharts presented by COPE (http://publicationethics.org/).
8. It is Emerald’s responsibility to protect authors’ moral rights (to be acknowledged as the author and not to be misrepresented) and to ensure the correct record of the literature.
It will not be possible to please all parties in every case. Following a fair and considered process, the final decision in any disputed case will rest with the editor and Emerald.
Please note that Emerald reserves the right to not proceed with a case if the complainant presents a false name or affiliation or acts in an inappropriate or threatening manner towards Emerald editors and staff.