Scope: end-to-end editorial & production workflow. The double-blind peer-review mechanism is described in the “Peer Review Process” menu.

Roles: Author; Editor-in-Chief; Section/Handling Editor; Reviewers; Journal Manager; Copyeditor; Layout Editor; Proofreader.

Service-level targets: initial screening within 7 days; external review per round within 60 days; post-revision editorial check within 14 days; copyediting/typesetting/proofreading within 7 days; production & DOI assignment within 7 days.

1. Submission (Author). Manuscript submitted via the journal system with required declarations (authorship, ethics, data availability).

2. Pre-review / Initial screening (Editor/Section Editor) — within 7 days. Fit to aims and scope, ethics compliance/consent (where applicable), and similarity check using iThenticate/Crossref Similarity Check. Incomplete, out-of-scope, or non-compliant submissions may receive a reasoned desk reject; others are assigned to a handling editor.

3. Assignment to Handling Editor. Case owner appointed; conflicts of interest are declared and managed.

4. External review coordination (double-blind). Handling Editor invites two or more independent reviewers with relevant expertise and no conflicts of interest; manages timelines and reminders. (Detailed review criteria appear under “Peer Review Process”.)

5. Reach editorial decision. Based on reviewer reports, the editor issues a reasoned decision (accept / minor revision / major revision / reject). Where reports conflict or are borderline, a third review may be sought. Decisions are typically issued within 7 days after the minimum two reviews are received.

6. Revision & resubmission (Author). Authors submit a point-by-point response and a marked-up manuscript; the revision may be re-reviewed by the original reviewers.

7. Acceptance & submission editing — within 7 days. Copyediting (language and references), layout/galley preparation, and proofreading; authors review copyedits and approve galley proofs.

8. Production & publication — within 7 days. Issue scheduling, table-of-contents finalization, DOI registration, and online publication. Article pages display received/revised/accepted/published dates.

9. Post-publication updates. Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern are handled following COPE guidance to preserve the scholarly record.

10. Complaints & appeals. Appeals and complaints (including allegations of misconduct) are handled per COPE flowcharts by the Editor-in-Chief or a delegated independent editor; outcomes are documented.

11. Audit trail. All editorial actions and timestamps are logged in the manuscript system for auditability.