The Journal of Cost Management (J. Cost Manag.) respects the privacy of its authors, reviewers, readers, researchers, editorial board members, and other users of the journal website. This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, stored, and protected in connection with the journal's website, manuscript submission, peer-review, publication, and communication processes.

1. Information We Collect

The journal may collect personal and professional information voluntarily provided by users, including:

• Name and professional affiliation
• Email address and contact information
• Academic and professional qualifications
• ORCID, Google Scholar, ResearcherID, Scopus, LinkedIn, and other professional identifiers
• Manuscript information and correspondence
• Reviewer information and review reports
• Information submitted during manuscript submission, peer review, or editorial processes

The journal may also collect limited technical information, such as browser type, device information, IP address, and website usage data, where necessary for website security, functionality, and improvement.

2. Use of Information

Information collected by the journal may be used to:

• Process and manage manuscript submissions
• Facilitate peer review and editorial assessment
• Communicate with authors, reviewers, and editorial board members
• Manage publication and editorial activities
• Respond to inquiries and requests
• Maintain the security and functionality of the journal website
• Improve journal services and user experience
• Meet applicable legal, ethical, and publishing requirements

Personal information will not be used for purposes unrelated to the journal's legitimate publishing and editorial activities without appropriate consent.

3. Manuscript and Peer-Review Confidentiality

Manuscripts submitted to the journal and information associated with the peer-review process are treated confidentially. Reviewer identities and review-related information will be handled in accordance with the journal's peer-review policy. Information will only be disclosed when necessary for legitimate editorial, legal, or ethical purposes.

4. Information Sharing

The journal does not sell, rent, or otherwise commercially trade users' personal information. Personal information may be shared with authorized editorial personnel, reviewers, publishing service providers, or technical service providers when reasonably necessary to conduct legitimate journal operations.

Information may also be disclosed where required by law, regulation, court order, or to address suspected ethical or research misconduct.

5. Data Security

The journal takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or loss. However, no electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

6. Data Retention

Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, maintain appropriate editorial and publication records, comply with legal or ethical obligations, and preserve the integrity of the scholarly record.

7. Cookies and Website Technologies

The journal website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, performance, and user experience. Users may manage or disable cookies through their browser settings, although doing so may affect certain website functions.

8. Third-Party Services

The journal may use trusted third-party services for website hosting, manuscript management, analytics, communication, or other publishing-related functions. Such services may process information on behalf of the journal and are expected to maintain appropriate safeguards for the information they handle.

9. Authors, Reviewers, and Editorial Board Members

Authors, reviewers, and editorial board members are responsible for ensuring that the personal information they provide to the journal is accurate and appropriate for the relevant editorial or publication purpose. The journal will handle such information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable publishing practices.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

The journal may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in its publishing practices, website functionality, legal requirements, or data protection standards. Any updated version will be made available on the journal website.