MANAGING BOARD
Publishing Manager
Contact: a.omarova@ritha.eu
Book Series Coordinator
Dănciulescu Daniela, Professor of Economic Informatics, University of Craiova, Romania
Contact: books@ritha.eu
Academic Editors
Daniel Díaz-Fuentes, Professor of Economics, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Simona Mateut, Professor of Financial Economics, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Contact: journals@ritha.eu
GOVERNANCE POLICY
1. Introduction
The governance policy of RITHA Publishing House is designed to ensure effective, transparent, and ethical management of our editorial and publishing activities. This policy outlines the roles, responsibilities, and relationships among the various entities and individuals involved in the governance structure, ensuring that each position's responsibilities are well understood.
2. Governance Structure
2.1 Managing Board. The Managing Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and financial oversight of RITHA Publishing House. It is composed of:
- Publishing Manager
- Book Series Coordinator
- Academic Editors
2.2 International Advisory Boards. The International Advisory Boards of Journals and Book Series provide strategic advice, support in editorial policy formulation, and help maintain the academic integrity and reputation of RITHA scientific publications.
2.3 Scientific Manager. The Scientific Manager advances the research agenda and enables the Research, Innovation, and Technologies - Hub for Academics (RITHA) to achieve its goals and contribute to the broader academic and societal landscape, fostering innovation and integrating technology into academic practices.
2.4 Technical Manager. The Technical Manager oversees the digital and technical aspects of the publishing process, ensuring the seamless operation of publishing platforms and adherence to technical standards.
2.5 Editor(s) in Chief. Editors in Chief are responsible for the academic and editorial quality of specific journals. They manage the peer review process, oversee editorial decisions, and ensure timely publication.
2.6 Co-Editor(s). Co-Editor(s) collaborate closely with Editor(s) in Chief to manage the editorial process and support the peer review system, particularly in their areas of expertise.
2.7 Managing Editor. Managing Editor oversee the operational aspects of journal publication, including coordinating submissions and ensuring timely publication.
2.8 Book Editor(s). Book Editor(s) manage the editorial process for book publications, ensuring high-quality content and adherence to the publishing house's standards.
2.9. Reviewers.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Publishing Manager
- Develop and communicate a clear strategic vision for RITHA Publishing House, aligning with the mission and long-term goals of the organization;
- Lead and inspire the publishing team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment;
- Committed to developing and promoting best practices in the assessment of researchers and scholarly research;
- Make key decisions regarding the direction and priorities of the publishing house, ensuring alignment with industry trends and market demands;
- Coordinate the submission of necessary documents and metadata to indexing databases, ensuring all submissions meet the technical and content requirements of the respective databases;
- Track and report on the performance of the Journals/Book Series in these databases, analysing data to identify trends, potential issues, and areas for improvement;
- Develop, implement, and regularly review organisational policies and procedures to ensure they meet industry standards and best practices;
- Oversee the creation and execution of strategic plans, setting clear objectives and measurable goals for the publishing house;
- Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency;
- Develop and manage the annual budget, ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to support the strategic goals of the publishing house;
- Identify and pursue opportunities for revenue generation and funding, including grants, partnerships, and new business ventures.
Book Series Coordinator
- Manage the entire lifecycle of book projects from proposal to publication, ensuring deadlines are met and resources are effectively utilized;
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with authors, providing guidance and support throughout the writing and publication process;
- Work closely with Printing House to ensure seamless coordination and successful book print;
- Oversee the peer review process, ensuring manuscripts are rigorously evaluated for quality, originality, and relevance to the series;
- Maintain high editorial standards by implementing best practices in editing, proofreading, and formatting;
- Ensure that the book series addresses current trends and demands in the academic and professional fields, making the content relevant and impactful;
- Regularly review and update editorial policies and procedures to enhance the quality and relevance of book publications;
- Collaborate with Book Editors and Academic Editors on Content Planning and Development;
- Organise and lead regular editorial meetings to discuss content planning, progress, and any issues that need addressing;
- Engage in promotional activities to raise awareness of the book series, including attending conferences, networking with scholars, and leveraging social media platforms;
- Mentor junior editors and staff, providing guidance and professional development opportunities to build a skilled and knowledgeable editorial team;
- Provide regular updates and reports to the Managing Board, detailing the progress, challenges, and achievements of the book series.
Academic Editors
- Ensure that all published content meets the highest academic standards through rigorous review and quality control processes;
- Develop, implement, and update editorial guidelines and best practices to maintain consistency and academic integrity across all publications;
- Uphold ethical standards in publishing by addressing issues such as plagiarism, conflicts of interest, and research misconduct;
- Collaborate with the editorial team to set strategic goals and priorities for content development that align with the mission and objectives of the journals and book series;
- Develop and refine editorial policies, including submission guidelines, review criteria, and publication standards, to foster transparency and consistency;
- Review and provide feedback on the relevance, originality, and scholarly contribution of proposed content to ensure it meets the publication's academic criteria;
- Identify and reach out to leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners to solicit high-quality manuscripts that contribute to the journal's and book series' reputation;
- Develop and maintain a network of qualified reviewers with expertise in relevant fields to ensure a robust and effective peer review process;
- Participate in regular editorial board meetings to discuss strategic direction, policy updates, and operational matters;
- Actively promote the journals and book series at academic conferences, workshops, and through professional networks to enhance visibility and reputation;
- Establish mechanisms for receiving and addressing feedback from authors, reviewers, and readers to continuously improve the quality and impact of the publications;
- Analyse publication metrics and trends to identify areas for improvement and to measure the success of editorial strategies;
- Work closely with the Managing Editor, Co-Editors, and other editorial team members to ensure smooth editorial operations and timely publication of content.
Scientific Manager
- Lead and coordinate research projects across multiple disciplines, ensuring alignment with the academic hub's strategic goals;
- Identify key research areas and emerging trends to enhance the hub's research portfolio;
- Identify opportunities for translating research findings into practical applications, products, or services;
- Oversee the integration of cutting-edge technologies into research initiatives, enhancing data collection, analysis, and dissemination;
- Identify funding opportunities and prepare grant proposals to secure financial support for research and innovation initiatives;
- Manage budgets for research projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and compliance with funding requirements;
- Build and maintain partnerships with industry, and other academic institutions to promote collaborative research initiatives;
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and networking opportunities for researchers, and external stakeholders;
- Monitor the progress of research projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, objectives, and quality standards;
- Develop training programs and workshops to enhance the research skills and competencies of researchers;
- Mentor junior researchers and students, providing guidance on research methodologies and best practices;
- Ensure that all research activities adhere to ethical standards and regulatory requirements;
- Conduct regular audits of research practices to ensure compliance with policies and regulations;
- Prepare and present reports on research activities, outcomes, and impact to academic leadership and stakeholders;
- Communicate research findings to broader audiences, including publications, conferences, and public engagement activities;
- Assess the effectiveness of research initiatives and the performance of research teams, providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
4. Decision-Making and Communication
- The Managing Board meets quarterly to review progress, discuss strategic initiatives, and make key decisions;
- Regular communication is maintained between the Publishing Manager, Editors in Chief, Co-Editors, Managing Editors, Book Editors, and the Technical Manager to ensure smooth operations and coordination;
- The International Advisory Boards meet bi-annually to provide strategic advice and feedback.
5. Ethical Standards and Best Practices
- All members of the governance structure are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in publishing;
- The Publishing House follows the guidelines and recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE);
- Regular training and development programs are conducted to ensure adherence to best practices in publishing.
6. Review and Amendments
- This governance policy is reviewed annually by the Managing Board;
- Amendments to the policy are made as necessary to reflect changes in the publishing environment and strategic direction of RITHA Publishing House.