Privacy Statement

Shareholding is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and other visitors who interact with the journal website and publication system. This Privacy Statement explains how information provided through the journal website, submission process, correspondence, and related services may be collected, used, stored, and protected.

The journal may collect information that is voluntarily provided by users, including names, institutional affiliations, professional contact details, email addresses, ORCID identifiers, manuscript information, reviewer information, and correspondence related to submissions and editorial activities. Such information is collected only when reasonably necessary for the administration, evaluation, publication, and dissemination of scholarly work and for maintaining effective communication with contributors and reviewers.

Personal information submitted by authors is used for purposes associated with manuscript processing, editorial assessment, peer review, publication, indexing, and communication concerning the submitted work. Information provided by reviewers is used to facilitate the peer-review process and to communicate with reviewers regarding manuscripts. The journal makes reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of reviewer identities and unpublished manuscripts in accordance with its editorial and peer-review procedures.

The journal does not intentionally collect sensitive personal information unless it is necessary for a legitimate editorial or administrative purpose and is provided in accordance with applicable requirements. Users should avoid submitting unnecessary personal or confidential information through manuscript files, correspondence, or website forms.

The journal takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, misuse, or destruction. Access to information is limited to individuals who require it for legitimate editorial, publishing, technical, or administrative purposes. However, users should recognize that no electronic transmission or online storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

The journal website may use standard technical information, such as browser type, device information, IP address, access times, and general website usage information, for security, maintenance, performance monitoring, and improvement of website services. Cookies or similar technologies may be used where necessary to support website functionality and user experience.

Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to maintain appropriate editorial and publication records, or to comply with applicable legal, ethical, and administrative requirements. Published scholarly records may contain author names, affiliations, article information, and other bibliographic details that are necessary for the permanent academic record.

The journal does not sell, rent, or trade users' personal information for commercial purposes. Personal information may be shared with authorized service providers, editors, reviewers, indexing or scholarly communication services, or relevant authorities only when reasonably necessary for legitimate journal operations, publication processes, legal obligations, or the protection of the integrity of the scholarly record.

Authors, reviewers, and other users are responsible for ensuring that the personal information they provide is accurate and appropriate for the intended purpose. Where a manuscript contains information relating to identifiable individuals, authors are responsible for obtaining appropriate permissions, consent, or ethical approvals where required.

Users who have questions regarding the collection or use of their personal information may contact the journal through the contact information provided on the official journal website. The journal may periodically update this Privacy Statement to reflect changes in its editorial practices, website functionality, legal requirements, or data-protection procedures. Any updated version will be made available through the journal website.