[Logprofs] Journal of Business Logistics: Call for Special Topic Forum proposals

[Christian Hofer]

Journal of Business Logistics (JBL)
Call for Special Topic Forum proposals
Over the years, JBL's Special Topic Forums (STFs) have played an important role in advancing key conversations within the supply chain community. We are grateful for the many contributions of past STF guest editors and look forward to building on that strong foundation.
To further enhance the process, the incoming Editors-In-Chief (EICs) are introducing a new structured approach for evaluating and selecting future STFs. Beginning this year, JBL will adopt a formal annual submission window (each December) and a standardized proposal format (provided below).
Rather than evaluating STF proposals on a rolling basis, we will now review all submissions collectively during the annual window. Proposals will be carefully assessed by the EICs, and this may also involve interviews with the guest editor candidates. Evaluations will be based on the relative merit of proposals and alignment with the Journal's mission.
We believe this approach will encourage thoughtful proposal development, broaden participation, and help us identify topics with the strongest potential to advance academic discourse and practice. Decisions will be made by the end of February, and promotion of the STF(s) will begin thereafter, according to an agreed-upon timeline between STF guest editors and the EICs.
For questions, please reach out to the JBL EICs (email addresses are listed further below).
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JBL Special Topic Forum: Guest Editor(s) Proposal Guidance
All STF Proposals must address the following questions/acknowledgements:

  1.  What is the importance and timeliness of the topic? How is it relevant to the JBL community?
     *   How does the proposed STF reinforce JBL's focus (rigorous and relevant research that advances supply chain thought and resonates with practitioners)?
     *   Why is JBL the right home for this STF?
     *   What is unique about this STF topic and why is it needed?
  2.  What is the STF's potential to advance academic discourse?
     *   What literature streams/domains does the STF build on/connect to?
     *   What substantive research needs/gaps does the STF address?
     *   What specific topics and subtopics warrant research?
  3.  What are the Guest Editors' qualifications?
     *   What are the Guest Editors' research and publication track records (both in JBL and the broader supply chain domain)?
     *   Are the Guest Editors thought leaders in domains related to the proposed STF topic?
     *   Do the Guest Editors have prior editorial experiences/roles?
     *   Are the Guest Editors community leaders that can attract adequate submissions to warrant an STF (e.g., roles in relevant professional organizations, etc.)?
  4.  How do the Guest Editors assess the potential interest and impact of the proposed STF?
     *   Is there evidence of sufficient submission potential (e.g., number of papers published in SCM journals on related topics in the past two years; number of SCM authors/institutions actively engaged in this space, etc.)?
     *   Is there evidence of impact potential (e.g., number of citations of comparable/related SCM papers published in the past 2-5 years; examples of media coverage of related topics; etc.)?
  5.  How will the Guest Editors manage the STF?
     *   What actions will be taken to field sufficient submissions?
     *   What editorial processes will be employed to manage STF workflows (e.g., dividing work across multiple Guest Editors; commitment to timely manuscript processing)?
     *   What efforts will be made to promote the STF?
     *   What is the proposed timeline for all STF editorial activities?
     *   What is the proposed conflict of interest plan (e.g., handling submissions from institutional colleagues, co-authors, doctoral students, etc.)?
  6.  Do the Guest Editors acknowledge the following JBL STF expectations?
     *   An STF Acceptance rate of less than 10% (consistent with regular JBL submissions).
     *   The typical number of submissions required to yield a substantive STF is 30+ manuscript submissions. (Should an STF not yield an acceptable number of submissions, any manuscripts recommended for acceptance will be published as regular articles in JBL instead of under an STF umbrella).
     *   Timely processing of manuscripts is required and paramount (e.g., Guest Editors' decisions within 10 days, Reviewers' responses within 30 days, etc.).
     *   Guest Editors recommend STF articles for acceptance in JBL; final acceptance decisions are made by the EICs.
     *   STF articles must meet or exceed the Journal's quality standards.
     *   STF performance will be evaluated on an ongoing basis (e.g., number of views, citation benchmarks), and this will be considered for future STF proposals by the same Guest Editors and/or when similar topics are evaluated.
     *   Guest Editor teams will designate a single point of contact for interactions with the JBL Editorial Assistant.
     *   Guest Editors will provide a list of any potential reviewers who are not part of the JBL Editorial Review Board.
     *   Guest Editors will utilize current JBL Senior Editors in the review process or request exceptions from the EICs.

Submit your JBL Special Topic Forum Guest Editor(s) Proposal prior to December 31, 2025 to the EICs: Christian Hofer (chofer at walton.uark.edu<mailto:chofer at walton.uark.edu>), Terry Esper (esper.9 at osu.edu)<mailto:esper.9 at osu.edu>, and Rod Thomas (rthomas at walton.uark.edu)<mailto:rthomas at walton.uark.edu>.

Dr. Christian Hofer  |  Professor
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. Department of Supply Chain Management
waltoncollege.uark.edu/lscm/

Sam M. Walton College of Business
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701-1201
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