JOLE utilizes a double-blind review process; reviewers are not able to identify authors and authors are not able to identify reviewers. Upon submitting a manuscript to JOLE, authors typically receive a dispensation decision (accept, revise, or reject) within 6-8 weeks or less.  Through the Emerald Publishing Group, JOLE’s review process is hosted by the ScholarOne online manuscript portal.

The following is a general guide describing the steps involved for JOLE in manuscript review:

• Upon submission, author completes all data fields required within the submission portal, and confirms that no part of the manuscript includes identifying information or has been submitted elsewhere for publication.

• The Editor initially reviews the manuscript and decides on one of three options:
• Send the manuscript out for a full and double-blinded review that includes at least two reviewers.
• Send the manuscript back to the author for initial revision.
• Reject the manuscript, often due to lack of fit with JOLE’s aims and goals.
• Invited anonymous reviewers typically receive 14 days to decide to review, and if they accept, 30 days in which to read the manuscript and provide a rigorous and constructive review to the Editor.

• Upon receiving at least two reviews, the Editor makes one of the following four decisions, while sharing reviewer and editor feedback with the manuscript author(s):

• Accept. No subsequent changes can be made and the manuscript moves to Emerald staff for copy-editing.
• Accept with Minor Revisions. Editor requests to the author(s) minor changes that, if made, will result in the manuscript’s full acceptance and does not require a subsequent blind review.
• Revise and Resubmit. The Editor shares all feedback from the review and invites the author(s) to revise and then submit their manuscript again for further blind review.
• Reject. The Editor shares all feedback from the review and does not invite the author(s) to submit a revision.

• Once an article is accepted for publication in JOLE, the author(s) will be connected to Emerald staff to complete various steps to publication. Once those steps are complete, the manuscript - now a formatted JOLE article - will be added to JOLE’s EarlyCite page, where it will be publicly available, searchable, and citable until it can be permanently added to a subsequent JOLE volume and issue.