Author Guidelines
International review of Fintech, Business and Management
The International review of Fintech, Business and Management is a peer-reviewed, fully open-access journal that publishes original, high-quality research in economics and related disciplines. IRFBM is committed to transparency, ethical publishing practices, and compliance with international standards, including DOAJ best practices.
Authors are requested to carefully read and follow the guidelines below before submitting their manuscripts.
- Types of Manuscripts
- Research Articles (empirical or theoretical)
- Review Articles (systematic or narrative)
- Short Communications / Policy Notes
- Book Reviews (by invitation)
- Submission Policy
- Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.
- Submission implies that all listed authors have approved the manuscript and agree to its submission.
- All submissions must be made through the journal’s official online submission system.
- Email submissions are accepted only in exceptional cases of technical difficulty, subject to editorial approval.
- IRFBM follows a double-blind peer review process. Authors must ensure that the main manuscript file contains no identifying information.
- Any form of plagiarism, duplicate submission, or unethical research practice will result in immediate rejection.
- Manuscript Preparation
3.1 Language
Manuscripts should be written in clear and concise English.
3.2 Formatting
- File format: MS Word (.doc or .docx)
- Font: Times New Roman, size 12
- Line spacing: 1.5
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Page numbers: Bottom‑left
- Structure of the Manuscript
4.1 Title Page
The title should be clear and precise. IRFBM generally expects a limited number of authors (typically up to six). Exceptions may be considered with clear justification and detailed credit contributions. If there is any doubt about the family name (such as a duplicate name), please make it explicit. Place the affiliation addresses of the authors (where the work was completed) below the names. Mention the following details of each author,
- Title of the manuscript
- Full name(s) of author(s)
- Institutional affiliation(s)
- Corresponding author’s email address
- Corresponding author’s email address
- ORCID ID (if available)
- Clear identification of the corresponding author
IRFBM generally expects a reasonable number of authors (typically up to six). Exceptions may be considered where justified. All submissions must include a detailed CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) statement specifying each author's contribution.
4.2 Abstract:
A structured abstract (maximum 250 words) must clearly state:
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Key findings
- Implications
4.3 Keywords
Provide 4–6 keywords below the abstract
4.4 Main Text
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Data Description and Methodology
- Results and Interpretation
- Discussion
- Conclusion and Policy Implications
Subheadings may be used where appropriate.
4.5 References
- Manuscripts are expected to include relevant, recent, and high-quality references (normally at least 20 for full research articles).
- Citations and references must strictly follow APA (American Psychological Association) 7th edition style.
- References must include only works cited in the text.
- Authors are strongly advised to consult the official APA 7th manual.
Illustrative examples of APA-formatted references for different source types (journal articles, books, book chapters, reports, and online sources) are provided below for authors’ guidance.
Journal Articles
Bindler, A., Hjalmarsson, R., Ketel, N., & Mitrut, A. (2024a). Discontinuities in the age-victimisation profile and the determinants of victimisation. The Economic Journal, 134(657), 95–134.
Ali, M., & Nishat, M. (2009). Do foreign inflows benefit Pakistani poor? The Pakistan Development Review, 48(4), 715–738.
Books
Kaufmann, S., Stützle, I., & Locascio, A. (2017). Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the twenty-first century: An introduction. Verso.
Smith, A. (1776). The wealth of nations. W. Strahan and T. Cadell.
Book Chapter
Smith, A. (1776a). Introduction and plan of the work. In The wealth of nations. W. Strahan and T. Cadell.
Reports
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2024). World economic situation and prospects. United Nations.
Online / Newspaper Article
Sakina. (2023, March 23). Brain drain in Pakistan: A serious concern. Pakistan Today. https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/03/23/brain-drain-in-pakistan-a-serious-concern/
4.6 Tables and Figures
- Tables and figures should be numbered consecutively
- Provide clear titles
- Insert tables and figures within the text close to where they are cited
- Tables should be editable text, not images
- Do not abbreviate "Table" to "Tab."
- Do not abbreviate "Figure" to "Fig."
- Table number and caption should be above the table.
- Figure number and caption should be below the figure.
- Ethical Standards
IRFBM adheres to strict publication ethics standards.
Authors must:
- Disclose any conflict of interest.
- Research involving human data must follow ethical research standards.
- Proper acknowledgement of funding sources is required.
- Confirm that data has been collected and reported honestly and transparently.
5.1 Authorship Criteria
All listed authors must meet authorship criteria and approve the final version of the manuscript. Changes to authorship after submission require written justification and approval by the Editor.
5.2 Use of Generative AI Tools
IRFBM maintains a clear policy regarding Artificial Intelligence tools:
- AI tools may be used only for language editing (grammar, spelling, readability).
- AI tools must not be used to generate substantive scholarly content (e.g., literature review, data analysis, results, discussion).
- Any use of AI-assisted tools must be disclosed in the manuscript.
- Reviewers are strictly prohibited from using generative AI tools during peer review.
For full details, authors should consult the Publication Ethics Policy on the journal website.
- Article Processing Charges (APCs)
International review of Fintech, Business and Management does not charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs). Authors are not required to pay any fees at any stage of the publication process, including manuscript submission, peer review, editing, or publication.
The journal is committed to promoting high-quality research and ensuring open access to scholarly work without financial barriers for authors.
- Open Access Policy
IRFBM is an open access journal, which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, provided the original author(s) and source are properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
- Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain copyright of their work. By submitting to IRFBM, authors grant the journal a non-exclusive right of first publication and distribution.
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are properly cited. IRFBM does not impose any additional restrictions beyond those of CC BY 4.0.
- Digital Archiving and Preservation
IRFBM ensures long-term digital preservation of published articles through its institutional archiving system and permanent online hosting.
- Submission Procedure
Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal’s online submission system available on the IRFBM website or by email to editor.irfbm@addsacademy.com
- Policy Consistency Note
IRFBM follows its Publication Ethics, Peer Review, APC, Copyright & Licensing, and Digital Archiving policies as published on the journal website. In case of any inconsistency, the policy pages on the website will prevail and authors will be notified of updates
- Contact Information
For queries regarding submissions or editorial policies, please contact:
Managing Editor
editor.irfbm@addsacademy.com
International review of Fintech, Business and Management
Academy of Decision and Data Sciences (ADDS)
The editorial board reserves the right to make necessary editorial changes to improve clarity and presentation.
