Guide for Authors

The Review of Management Studies (RMS) is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, open-access journal published by SPIDER Publishing, dedicated to advancing high-quality research in management and organisational studies. Authors are encouraged to carefully follow this guide to ensure smooth submission, efficient peer review, and high-quality publication outcomes.

1. Scope and Aims of the Journal

RMS publishes original, rigorous, and impactful research that advances understanding of management theories, organisational practices, and strategic decision-making across diverse contexts.

Submissions should demonstrate:

  • Clear relevance to management, organisation, or business studies
  • Strong theoretical foundation and/or methodological rigor
  • Contribution to both academic knowledge and managerial practice
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives integrating multiple fields of study

2. Types of Manuscripts Accepted

2.1 Original Research Articles

Empirical, theoretical, or methodological studies in management and related disciplines
Word limit: 6,000–10,000 words

2.2 Review Articles

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or conceptual synthesis papers
Word limit: 7,000–9,000 words

2.3 Case Studies and Practice-Oriented Papers

Applied research with managerial or organisational implications
Word limit: 4,000–6,000 words

Word limits include references but exclude appendices.

3. Language and Style

  • Manuscripts must be written in English
  • Authors are encouraged to ensure clarity, coherence, and academic tone
  • Non-native English authors should consider professional language editing
  • Avoid excessive jargon and ensure readability for a broad academic audience

4. Manuscript Preparation and Formatting

4.1 File Format

  • Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

4.2 General Formatting

  • Font: Times New Roman
  • Font size: 12 pt
  • Line spacing: 1.5
  • Margins: 1 inch (all sides)
  • Page numbers: Required

5. Structure of the Manuscript

5.1 Title Page (Submitted Separately)

  • Manuscript title
  • Author(s) full name
  • Institutional affiliation(s)
  • ORCID iD (recommended)
  • Corresponding author email

5.2 Main Manuscript (Anonymous for Review)

To ensure double-blind peer review, author identities must not appear in the main file.

Recommended structure:

  • Title
  • Abstract (150–250 words)
  • Keywords (4–6)
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review and/or Theoretical Framework
  • Methodology
  • Results / Findings
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion and Managerial Implications
  • References

6. Abstract and Keywords

The abstract should clearly state:

  • Research problem and objective
  • Methodology used
  • Key findings
  • Theoretical and practical contributions

Avoid citations and abbreviations in the abstract.

7. Tables, Figures, and Appendices

  • Number tables and figures consecutively
  • Refer to all tables and figures in the text
  • Table titles should appear above; figure titles below
  • Use editable formats (not images) where possible
  • Appendices should be placed after references and used sparingly

8. Referencing Style

RMS follows APA 7th Edition referencing style.

Authors are responsible for:

  • Accuracy and completeness of references
  • Consistency with APA guidelines
  • Ensuring all citations appear in the reference list

9. Ethical Standards and Research Integrity

9.1 Originality and Plagiarism

  • Submissions must be original and not under review elsewhere
  • All manuscripts may be screened for plagiarism

9.2 Authorship

  • All listed authors must have made significant contributions
  • Ghost or gift authorship is strictly prohibited

9.3 Conflicts of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest

9.4 Data Transparency

  • Authors are encouraged to provide data availability statements
  • Research transparency and reproducibility are strongly encouraged

9.5 Use of AI Tools

  • Any use of AI tools in writing, analysis, or data processing must be clearly disclosed

10. Peer Review Process

All submissions undergo a double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers.

Evaluation criteria include:

  • Originality and novelty
  • Theoretical contribution
  • Methodological rigor
  • Practical and managerial relevance
  • Alignment with journal scope

Review timeline:

  • Initial editorial decision: within 4 weeks
  • Final decision after peer review: 8–12 weeks

11. Open Access Policy and Fees

  • RMS is a gold open-access journal
  • No submission fees
  • No fees/APC will be charged for articles, and no surcharges will apply for the length of an article, for illustrations and figures (including color figures), and for supplementary data unless noted otherwise.
  • All articles are freely accessible immediately upon publication

12. Copyright and Licensing

  • Authors retain copyright
  • Articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License
  • Proper attribution is required for reuse

13. Submission Process

  • Manuscripts must be submitted via the SPIDER Publishing Paper Submission System: spiderpublishing.com
  • Email submissions are not accepted
  • Ensure all metadata (authors, abstract, keywords) are correctly provided

14. Post-Acceptance Process

After acceptance:

  • Manuscripts undergo copyediting and formatting
  • Authors may be requested to approve final proofs
  • Each article is assigned a DOI upon publication

15. Contact

For submission or editorial queries, please contact:
Editor-in-Chief
Review of Management Studies (RMS)