Submission of Papers

Instructions to Contributers ( Authors )

Invitation

Papers that reflect knowledge innovation within the purview of enquiry of the journal, viz. business management; information and other modern technologies; and education, training, and development against the backdrop of the evolving socio-cultural and ethical vicissitudes with emphasis on productivity and sustainability, are called for publication in the NIBM Journal of Knowledge Innovation.

The submissions (papers, hereafter called manuscripts) shall include conceptual articles (theoretical enquiries), research articles (empirical studies of alternative research approaches), review papers, case studies (organization or sector based), technical project reports (tried out in organizations), and book reviews.

Review and Acceptance Process

Each submission will initially be reviewed by the Editorial Board and thereafter sent to two subject experts for blind reviewing. The comments and suggestions received will be conveyed to the authors with requests for revision before the paper is accepted for publication. A submission may even be rejected based on the reviewers’ comments which will be duly informed to the contributor. The editorial board or the reviewers may request for data and workings during the review process which the authors must be willing to provide.

Editorial Requirements

The Editorial requirements are as follows:

Submission in Two Parts

Your submission will consist of two separate documents (files),

1. Mnuscript
2. Supplementary Information.

writer is required to upload both documents to the system at the time of submission.

1. Manuscript

   The following information pertains to the Manuscript.

   Length and Composition

   The word count of a manuscript is from 5,000 to 10,000 words. It includes the Abstract, Keywords, Text, Notes, Tables and Figures, References, and Appendices. However, a book review will be from 1,200 to 1,500 words. While the contributor is free to select the headings and sub-headings of the paper it will naturally include an introduction, the body, and a conclusion.

   Font-size and Page Set-up

   Use A4 page setting; 12 point Times New Roman font; 1” margins; 1.5 spacing; page numbers centered on the bottom margin; and text justified

   Other details shall appear below the title in 12-point Times New Roman font, single spaced.

   In the case of multiple authors, the corresponding author shall be marked with an asterisk. Please note that the authors’ names shall not appear anywhere else in the document other than on the title page and the reference list (if any).

   Major Sections and Components

   Title Page

   The title page (first page) will contain only the title.

   The title: Bold type; upper case; single spaced if extending for a second line; centered across the top of the first page in 14-point Times New Roman font.

   Abstract and Key Words

   The second page shall include a one-paragraph abstract of not more than 150 words, followed by 4-5 key words. The abstract shall include, in brief, the objectives of the article, methods adopted, salient findings and conclusions.

   Each key word will commence with the upper case.

   Text

   The text shall begin on the third page and will consist of logically organized sections. Commonly used section-headings include Introduction/ Background of the study, review of literature, research design, context, methodology, results and interpretation, discussion, and conclusions. Supplementary/ additional information may be given as endnotes (and not footnotes). References and Appendices (in that order) will follow with page numbers continuing.

   Headings

   Three levels of headings shall be used.

   Level 1: Flushed left; 14 point Times New Roman font in bold type; first letter of words (other than propositions, conjunctions and articles) given in the upper case.

   Level 2: Flushed left; 12 point Times New Roman font in bold type and italicized; first letter of words (as above) given in the upper case.

   Level 3: Indented; 12 point Times New Roman font italicized; first letter of words (as above) given in the upper case.

   Avoid numbering of paragraphs.

   Tables

   Tables shall conform to the following:

   Include the title at the top of the Table.Contain only horizontal lines (no vertical lines); contents shall be in 11 point Times New Roman font; numbered with Arabic numerals consecutively (e.g. Table 1, Table 2); the paragraph preceding the Table to carry the first reference to the Table; heading and source (both left aligned) in 12 point Times New Roman font, with first letter of words given in the upper case.

   Figures and Illustrations

   Figures and illustrations shall conform to the following:

   Include the title at the bottom of the figure. Source in the next line.Numbered with Arabic numerals consecutively (e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2); the paragraph immediately preceding the Figure/ Illustration to carry the first reference to the figure/illustration; heading and source (both left aligned) in 12 point Times New Roman font, with first letter of words given in the upper case; line drawings shall be presented in blank tone only.

   References

   Use American Psychological Association (APA) style for both in-text citations and the reference list. References will appear at the end of the text and will be double spaced. URL addresses to references to be given, wherever available. Refer APA REFERENCE STYLE (7 ^TH EDITION) of the Library University of Moratuwa for a concise guide of the APA style.

   Appendices

   Numbered with Arabic numerals consecutively (e.g. Appendix 1, Appendix 2); heading left aligned in 12 point, Times New Roman font, with first letter of words given in the upper case.

   Acknowledgments

   Acknowledgment of financial or any other support can be made through a brief note added at the end of the text and prior to references.

   General Comments on Writing

   • Use standard written English
   • Get the manuscript checked for grammar and spellings accuracy, i.e. copy editing
   • Do not use AI beyond copy-editing the document (if at all)
   • Maintain a Turnitin originality score of less than 20 percent.
2. Supplementary Information

   Provide the following information as a running text under the following headings.

   • The title
   • Name (s)
   • Qualifications (academic and professional-in standard abbreviated form)
   • Current designation of author (s)
   • Postal address(es) and phone numbers and e-mail address(es).
   • A statement acknowledging the funding support received (if any).
   • The declaration ‘I fully abide by the Editorial Policy of the Journal’ laid out herein.

   All details shall appear in 12-point Times New Roman font, 1.5 spacing.

Non-conformance

Any manuscript that does not conform to the above instructions will be returned for required improvements in writing.

Plagiarism Policy

The NIBM Journal of Knowledge Innovation maintains a strict policy against plagiarism and unethical publishing practices. All submitted manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software to ensure originality and proper citation of sources.

Authors are expected to submit original work that has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration by another journal. Any form of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, duplication, or improper citation, is considered unethical and unacceptable. Manuscripts found to contain significant levels of plagiarism will be rejected immediately.

If plagiarism is discovered after publication, the journal reserves the right to retract the article and notify the author’s affiliated institution if necessary.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The NIBM Journal of Knowledge Innovation follows internationally recognized ethical standards in scholarly publishing and adheres to the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting manuscripts to the journal must ensure that:

• The work submitted is original and has not been previously published.
• The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal at the time of submission.
• All sources and references are properly cited.
• Any conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed.
• All listed authors have made significant contributions to the research and approve the final version of the manuscript.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers are expected to:

• Conduct objective and constructive reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript and not use the information for personal advantage.
• Identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.
• Inform the editor if they detect potential ethical issues such as plagiarism or duplication.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

The NIBM Journal of Knowledge Innovation recognizes the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic research and writing. While such technologies may support authors in improving language quality or organizing content, their use must follow responsible and ethical academic practices.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

Authors may use AI-based tools (e.g., language editing, grammar correction, or formatting assistance) to improve the clarity and readability of their manuscripts. However, AI tools should only assist in the writing process and must not replace the author’s intellectual contribution, interpretation, or original research.

Disclosure Requirement

If authors use AI tools during the preparation of their manuscript, they must clearly disclose this in the Acknowledgements or Methodology section. Authors should specify the AI tool used and describe how it contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.

Authorship Responsibility

AI tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors of a manuscript. Authorship must be limited to individuals who have made significant intellectual contributions to the research and manuscript preparation. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the content submitted to the journal.

Prohibited Use

The following practices are not permitted:

• Using AI tools to generate research data, results, or analyses without proper disclosure
• Maintain confidentiality of the manuscript and not use the information for personal advantage.
• Using AI tools to fabricate references, citations, or research findings

Any misuse of AI tools that compromise academic integrity may result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

Editorial Oversight

The editorial team reserves the right to request clarification regarding the use of AI tools in manuscript preparation. If necessary, additional review procedures may be applied to ensure the authenticity and originality of the submitted work.

Continuity of Submission of Manuscripts

Submissions can be sent in throughout the year and will be considered for the next immediate issue depending on the length of the review process, Contributors shall make their submissions in MS Word file format to the Managing Editor, NIBM Journal of Knowledge Innovation via the software dedicated for the purpose.