SPC Publishing Philosophy

Publisher-Level Statement
Version 1.0 | 2026

1. Purpose

Sami Publishing Company (SPC) regards scholarly publishing as a responsibility to researchers, readers, editors, reviewers, institutions, and the wider scholarly community.

This Publishing Philosophy describes the principles that shape SPC's approach to scholarly publishing and explains the purpose, values, and publishing commitments that guide the development of its journals and scholarly publications.

It is intended to complement, rather than duplicate, the SPC Editorial Governance Manual, SPC Publishing Policies & Standards, SPC Editorial & Publishing Operations Framework, and SPC Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Framework.

The purpose of this statement is therefore not to provide detailed publishing procedures or individual journal policies. Instead, it explains why SPC publishes, what it values, and the principles that inform its publishing decisions and development.

 

2. Our Publishing Philosophy

SPC believes that scholarly publishing should serve the advancement and communication of knowledge rather than operate solely as a mechanism for distributing publications.

A responsible publisher should create conditions in which researchers can present their work fairly, readers can access reliable scholarly content, editors can exercise appropriate editorial judgment, reviewers can contribute constructively, and the published scholarly record can be maintained responsibly.

SPC therefore seeks to develop its publishing activities around five connected principles:

Scholarly value → Responsible publishing → Transparency → Accessibility → Continuous development

These principles inform SPC's approach to its journals and scholarly publications while allowing individual journals to maintain appropriate disciplinary identities and editorial practices.

SPC does not regard publishing quality as something established by a single ranking, database, metric, or external recognition. External evaluations can provide useful evidence, but sustainable publishing quality depends on the integrity and reliability of the underlying publishing practices.

 

3. Mission

The mission of Sami Publishing Company is:

To support the responsible dissemination of scholarly knowledge by providing transparent, accessible, and professionally managed publishing services that respect editorial independence, research integrity, and the needs of the scholarly community.

SPC seeks to achieve this mission by developing publishing practices that:

• support the communication of legitimate scholarly research;
• provide appropriate opportunities for researchers to disseminate their work;
• promote responsible and transparent publishing;
• support editors and reviewers in their scholarly responsibilities;
• maintain the reliability of the published record;
• improve accessibility to scholarly knowledge; and
• develop publishing practices through evidence, experience, and continuous improvement.

The mission is intended to guide SPC's long-term publishing decisions rather than serve as a promotional statement.

 

4. Vision

SPC's vision is to develop a trusted, transparent, responsible, and sustainable scholarly publishing environment in which quality publishing practices are valued as much as publication output.

SPC seeks to build its publishing activities around:

• trustworthy editorial and publishing practices;
• clear and accessible information;
• responsible stewardship of scholarly content;
• meaningful access to scholarly knowledge;
• respect for editorial independence;
• professional support for journals and their editorial teams; and
• continuous development of publishing quality.

SPC's vision is not defined solely by the number of journals it publishes, their indexing status, citation performance, or other external indicators.

Rather, SPC seeks to develop an organization whose publishing practices can withstand informed scrutiny and improve through experience.

 

5. Core Values

SPC's publishing activities are guided by the following core values.

5.1 Integrity

SPC values honesty, accuracy, and responsible conduct in scholarly publishing.

Information provided to authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, and other stakeholders should be accurate and should not intentionally create misleading expectations.

5.2 Transparency

SPC believes that stakeholders should be able to understand the fundamental characteristics of its publishing activities.

Relevant information concerning ownership, publishing models, editorial responsibilities, policies, processes, access, licensing, and other important aspects of publishing should be communicated clearly through appropriate channels.

Transparency is considered meaningful only when published information corresponds to actual practice.

5.3 Editorial Independence

SPC respects the legitimate independence of editorial decision-making.

Editorial judgments should be based on appropriate scholarly and editorial considerations rather than commercial, personal, political, or other inappropriate influences.

SPC's organizational and operational responsibilities should support editorial work without improperly determining scholarly outcomes.

5.4 Scholarly Quality

SPC values the quality, relevance, reliability, and integrity of scholarly content over publication volume alone.

Quality is understood as a continuing responsibility involving appropriate editorial processes, responsible peer review where applicable, research integrity, accurate publication, and responsible maintenance of the scholarly record.

5.5 Fairness and Respect

SPC seeks to treat authors, reviewers, editors, and other participants in the publishing process fairly and respectfully.

Editorial and publishing processes should not unfairly discriminate against individuals on the basis of characteristics unrelated to the scholarly merits of their work.

5.6 Accessibility

SPC believes that scholarly knowledge should be made accessible as widely as reasonably possible within the applicable publishing model.

Where SPC journals operate under an Open Access model, the applicable access and licensing arrangements should be clearly communicated to authors and readers.

5.7 Responsibility

SPC recognizes that publishing creates responsibilities that extend beyond the publication of individual articles.

These responsibilities include appropriate stewardship of scholarly content, support for research integrity, responsible communication, preservation of published information, and consideration of the wider effects of publishing practices.

5.8 Continuous Improvement

SPC does not regard its publishing practices as permanently fixed.

Publishing standards, technologies, research practices, and the needs of scholarly communities evolve. SPC therefore seeks to review its practices, learn from evidence and experience, and make proportionate improvements where appropriate.

 

6. Social Responsibility

SPC considers scholarly publishing part of the broader infrastructure through which knowledge is created, communicated, preserved, and used.

Its social responsibility therefore includes responsibilities toward researchers and readers as well as the wider scholarly and public communities affected by the dissemination of knowledge.

SPC seeks to contribute to responsible scholarly communication by:

• supporting access to legitimate scholarly knowledge;
• promoting responsible research and publication practices;
• maintaining clear and honest communication with authors and readers;
• respecting the independence of scholarly and editorial judgment;
• avoiding misleading publishing practices;
• supporting appropriate diversity, fairness, and inclusion in scholarly participation;
• maintaining published content responsibly; and
• considering the long-term value of scholarly communication rather than focusing only on short-term publication activity.

SPC recognizes that accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion are relevant to responsible scholarly publishing. Editorial decisions should remain focused on appropriate scholarly and editorial considerations rather than characteristics of authors that are unrelated to the quality or suitability of their work. This approach is consistent with the current principles of transparency and best practice developed by COPE, DOAJ, OASPA, and WAME.

6.1 Responsible Communication

SPC seeks to ensure that information presented by the publisher and its journals is accurate, understandable, and not misleading.

This includes information concerning:

• publishing models;
• editorial processes;
• fees and charges;
• access;
• licensing;
• indexing and discoverability;
• journal development; and
• other information that may influence authors' or readers' decisions.

SPC does not regard promotional communication as a substitute for transparent information.

6.2 Responsibility to the Scholarly Record

SPC recognizes that published scholarly content may remain part of the scholarly record for many years.

Accordingly, the publisher seeks to support responsible publication, appropriate post-publication management, preservation, and correction of the scholarly record where necessary.

The detailed procedures governing these activities are established through the relevant SPC and journal-level policies and operational processes.

 

7. Diamond Open Access Philosophy

SPC supports Diamond Open Access as a publishing model that can reduce financial barriers to both authors and readers.

Under the Diamond Open Access model, scholarly articles are made available to readers without subscription or access charges, while authors are not required to pay article processing charges (APCs) for publications covered by the model.

SPC's Diamond Open Access approach is based on the principle that the ability to publish scholarly research should not depend solely on an author's ability to pay a publication fee.

Where SPC operates a Diamond Open Access journal, the costs associated with publishing are supported through the publisher's available resources and other legitimate sources of support rather than through APCs charged to authors.

7.1 Access for Readers

Diamond Open Access seeks to make scholarly content available to readers without subscription or pay-per-view barriers.

The applicable access and licensing conditions of each journal should be clearly stated on its website.

Open access should therefore mean more than simply placing articles online; the conditions governing access and reuse should also be transparent.

7.2 No APCs for Authors

For journals operating under SPC's Diamond Open Access model, authors are not charged APCs for the publication of eligible articles.

The absence of an APC does not alter the editorial evaluation of a manuscript.

Editorial decisions should remain independent of financial considerations.

This separation between editorial judgment and financial support is consistent with established transparency principles for scholarly publishing.

7.3 Sustainability

SPC recognizes that Diamond Open Access still involves real costs, including editorial administration, peer-review management, production, hosting, metadata, preservation, technical infrastructure, and other publishing activities.

Accordingly, free access for readers and no APCs for authors do not mean that publishing has no cost.

A sustainable Diamond Open Access model requires responsible financial and operational planning so that accessibility can be maintained without compromising editorial independence or publishing quality.

7.4 Editorial Independence

Financial support for Diamond Open Access publishing should not determine whether a manuscript is accepted or rejected.

SPC considers the separation of financial considerations from editorial judgment an essential part of responsible Open Access publishing.

7.5 Accessibility and Licensing

Openly accessible scholarly content should be accompanied by clear information concerning applicable reuse rights and licensing.

The specific copyright and licensing arrangements of each SPC journal are established through the applicable publishing policies and should be clearly communicated to authors and readers.

SPC therefore distinguishes between:

Access to content

and

Rights to reuse content.

Both should be communicated clearly.

 

8. Commitment to Researchers and the Scholarly Community

SPC recognizes researchers as participants in, rather than merely users of, the scholarly publishing system.

The publisher therefore seeks to provide an environment in which authors can understand the publishing process and make informed decisions about where and how to submit their work.

SPC seeks to:

• provide clear publishing information;
• communicate relevant requirements openly;
• respect authors' scholarly contributions and rights;
• maintain appropriate editorial processes;
• support constructive peer-review practices;
• communicate decisions professionally;
• provide appropriate mechanisms for addressing legitimate concerns; and
• maintain the published record responsibly.

SPC also recognizes the contribution of reviewers and editors.

Editors provide scholarly judgment and leadership, while reviewers contribute expert assessment that supports the evaluation and improvement of submitted research.

The detailed responsibilities of these participants are established through SPC governance and applicable journal policies rather than through this Philosophy.

 

9. Relationship with Governance, Policies, Operations, and Quality Assurance

SPC's Publishing Philosophy provides the underlying principles that inform its publishing system.

It is therefore connected to, but distinct from, the publisher's other governance documents.

Publishing Philosophy

Why SPC publishes and what it values.

Editorial Governance Manual

How authority, responsibility, and editorial governance are structured.

Publishing Policies & Standards

What publishing requirements and standards apply.

Editorial & Publishing Operations Framework

How publishing requirements are implemented through operational processes.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Framework

How publishing activities are reviewed and improved.

This structure is intended to create a coherent relationship between institutional principles and publishing practice while avoiding unnecessary duplication between documents.

 

10. Relationship with Individual Journals

SPC's journals operate within the publisher's broader publishing environment while maintaining their own disciplinary identities, editorial scopes, and journal-level requirements.

Individual journals may therefore have policies or procedures that are more specific than the publisher-level framework.

Where a journal-level policy differs from a general publisher-level statement because of legitimate disciplinary or editorial requirements, the journal should communicate the applicable procedure clearly.

SPC's objective is not to make all journals identical.

Instead, SPC seeks to establish:

Shared principles, clear standards, and appropriate journal-level implementation.

 

11. Responsible Development of the Publishing Model

SPC recognizes that scholarly publishing continues to change.

Developments in Open Science, research data, artificial intelligence, digital publishing, scholarly communication, metadata, research assessment, and information technology may affect the way scholarly publishing is conducted.

SPC therefore seeks to evaluate relevant developments carefully rather than adopt new practices solely because they are technologically or commercially fashionable.

New approaches should be considered in relation to:

• research integrity;
• editorial independence;
• transparency;
• accessibility;
• confidentiality;
• sustainability;
• scholarly value; and
• the reliability of the published record.

This approach allows SPC to develop its publishing practices while maintaining continuity in its fundamental values.

 

12. Commitment to Evidence and Accountability

SPC believes that institutional commitments are meaningful when they can be reflected in actual publishing practice.

Accordingly, SPC seeks to maintain a connection between:

Principles → Policies → Practice → Evidence → Improvement

The existence of a published statement or policy is not regarded as sufficient evidence of effective publishing.

SPC's approach is therefore to develop policies that can be implemented, operational processes that can be documented, and quality-assurance activities that can identify opportunities for improvement.

This approach is also consistent with current publication-ethics guidance emphasizing the importance of well-described and implemented publishing infrastructure, editorial independence, peer-review processes, and mechanisms for maintaining the scholarly record.

 

13. Commitment to Transparency

SPC seeks to provide sufficient public information for authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and other stakeholders to understand the fundamental characteristics of its publishing activities.

This includes appropriate transparency concerning:

• the identity and role of the publisher;
• journal ownership and management;
• editorial responsibilities;
• publishing models;
• access and licensing;
• publication policies;
• relevant operational processes;
• quality-assurance principles; and
• mechanisms for addressing publication-related concerns.

Transparency should remain proportionate and should respect legitimate confidentiality, privacy, and security requirements.

SPC recognizes that transparency is not achieved simply by publishing a large number of documents. It is achieved when information is clear, accurate, accessible, consistent, and reflected in actual practice.

This principle is closely aligned with the current international Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.

 

14. Review and Development of the Publishing Philosophy

This Publishing Philosophy will be reviewed periodically to ensure that it continues to reflect SPC's publishing activities, organizational development, and the changing scholarly publishing environment.

A review may be initiated in response to:

• significant changes in SPC's publishing activities;
• developments in scholarly communication;
• changes in relevant publishing standards or guidance;
• experience gained through implementation;
• quality-assurance findings; or
• identified opportunities for responsible development.

Any substantive revision should be identified through appropriate version control.

Current Version: 1.0
Year of Publication: 2026
Responsible Organization: Sami Publishing Company

 

15. SPC's Publishing Commitment

Sami Publishing Company seeks to build its publishing activities on a simple principle:

Scholarly publishing should create value for the scholarly community through responsible dissemination of knowledge, not merely through the production of publications.

SPC therefore seeks to develop a publishing environment in which:

• scholarly value is respected;
• editorial independence is protected;
• publishing information is transparent;
• authors and reviewers are treated fairly;
• access to scholarly knowledge is supported;
• the integrity of the scholarly record is taken seriously;
• publishing models are developed responsibly; and
• improvement is treated as a continuing responsibility.

SPC recognizes that trust in scholarly publishing is earned through consistent practice over time.

This Publishing Philosophy represents the principles that guide that effort.

What SPC believes should be reflected in what SPC does.

 

Sami Publishing Company
SPC Publishing Philosophy
Publisher-Level Statement
Version 1.0 | 2026