[Logprofs] IJLM Update

[Ben Hazen]

Dear colleagues,

As I continue in my role at the International Journal of Logistics Management, I would like to take a moment to provide a brief update on the status of the Journal.

As you are well aware, IJLM has endured some flux over the past few years. I assumed the role of interim Editor-in-Chief in August of 2015, and it appears that I will likely continue through much of not all of 2016, after which a new editorial team will be in place.

Over the past seven months, we have worked hard toward making some significant positive changes at IJLM that I would like to share with you.

1) Since August, the average time to first decision remains just under 30 days, with only 6% of manuscripts taking longer than 60 days. The greatest amount of time under review for any article currently in the system is 58 days. In sum, review times have dramatically improved and continue to get better.

1a) We currently have 1-1.5 years worth of accepted articles in the queue, waiting to be published. However, Emerald plans to roll out an Early Cite program (currently projected for 2017), which will enable fast online publication of accepted articles, further reducing the time required to disseminate your research.

2) The quality of reviews has also improved in recent months, which is a clear testament to the dedication that those on this listserv and in our broader community have toward the common goal of maintaining the success of IJLM.

3) The quality of accepted manuscripts is also improving. You will notice a qualitative improvement in theoretical and practical relevance in forthcoming manuscripts. Although this necessarily means that the acceptance rate is also decreasing, please do not let this discourage you from submitting high-quality manuscripts.

4) We are refocusing on IJLM’s core competency: publishing research that makes a significant contribution to both theory and practice.  Indeed, any practitioner that reads an issue of IJLM should be able to glean actionable and valuable advice to help improve his or her ability to manage logistics and supply chain functions. Although there are few constraints with regard to topic areas or methodologies considered for publication, all manuscripts submitted to IJLM should clearly center upon logistics and supply chain management (L/SCM).

4a) Although all manuscripts that contribute to theory and practice of L/SCM are welcome, empirical research that extends our current beliefs is especially encouraged.

4b) Cross-disciplinary research is also highly encouraged, provided that the research implications are clearly tied to L/SCM.

4c) Conceptual papers, to include systematic literature reviews that provide refreshing new insights and proffer new theory are welcomed.

4d) Analytical- and operations research-based articles are welcomed and comprise valuable additions to the L/SCM literature. However, as with all submissions, these articles must be clearly positioned in the L/SCM literature and relevant theory, and also have significant practical implications that are easy for a practitioner reader of the Journal to understand and implement. 

In summary, IJLM is committed to retaining its stature as a top L/SCM journal. I sincerely appreciate all of the support I’ve received over the past few months, and invite any additional suggestions for continuous improvement at the Journal.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to receiving your manuscript submissions.



Best regards,

Ben Hazen

Air Force Institute of Technology

Editor, International Journal of Logistics Management


Benjamin.hazen at live.com



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