Introduction: Rapid Journal Launch Is No Longer Optional

Academic publishing cycles that once spanned 18–24 months are shrinking fast. Universities, research institutes and professional bodies now expect new journals to be live—and credible—within a single semester. Whether you aim to spotlight niche business disciplines or showcase interdisciplinary management research, a 90-day launch window is both ambitious and fully achievable—if you follow a disciplined roadmap.

Drawing on the experience of launching journals like the ISB&M Journal of Business Issues & Research (ISB&M-JBIR), this guide distils the critical steps, compliance checkpoints and technology choices required to go from concept to first article DOI in three months.

Phase 1 (Days 1–15): Define Editorial Vision & Governance

Clarify aims, scope and target audience

• Position the journal within clear business sub-fields (e.g., sustainable finance, digital transformation, behavioural strategy) while allowing space for interdisciplinary submissions.
• Draft a concise Aims & Scope statement—250–300 words—that doubles as future metadata for indexing services.

Assemble an editorial board

• Invite at least one senior professor per core discipline area plus two early-career scholars to ensure methodological diversity.
• Publish transparent editor-in-chief, managing editor and section editor roles on the journal website.

Adopt ethical and quality standards

• Commit to COPE Core Practices and draft a clear plagiarism-screening policy.
• Choose a peer-review model—double-blind is standard for business journals.

Phase 2 (Days 16–30): Choose a Modern Publishing Platform

Why platform choice matters

Legacy systems struggle with ORCID validation, XML production and DOI deposit automations. Selecting the right platform early prevents expensive migrations later.

Option A — ScholarJMS (recommended)

• End-to-end workflow: manuscript submission, review, production and publication in a single dashboard.
• Built-in Crossref DOI connector: automatic DOI assignment per article.
• Ready-made themes: responsive, ADA-compliant layouts that reflect professional standards.

Option B — OJS with OJSCloud support

If you already run OJS, OJSCloud offers hosting, upgrades and ISSN readiness audits. However, consider migrating to ScholarJMS for advanced analytics, altmetrics and seamless DOI workflows.

Phase 3 (Days 31–45): Secure ISSN & e-ISSN

Why ISSN first?

An International Standard Serial Number is mandatory for library catalogues, indexing services and Crossref registration. Apply simultaneously for both print and electronic ISSNs—even if you plan online-only publishing—to future-proof your journal.

Fast-track tips

1. Prepare a provisional PDF cover and sample TOC; most ISSN centres require evidence of genuine intent.
2. Submit via the National ISSN Centre; average turnaround is 10–15 working days when documentation is complete.
3. Engage OJSCloud for ISSN consulting to avoid common rejection reasons (missing masthead details, unclear scope).

Phase 4 (Days 46–60): Build the Submission & Review Workflow

Configure ScholarJMS modules

• Role-based dashboards for authors, reviewers, editors and production staff.
• Automated email templates for submission acknowledgment, reviewer invitation and decision letters.
• Integration with Scholar9 for transparent peer review if desired.

Draft author guidelines

• Specify manuscript structure (abstract, keywords, JEL codes, references APA 7).
• Define data-sharing and ethical-approval expectations.
• Include a plagiarism-detection disclaimer (e.g., Turnitin threshold ≥ 90 % originality).

Phase 5 (Days 61–75): Prepare Production & DOI Workflows

Layout & XML

• Choose a professional template with embedded metadata (title, subtitle, author ORCID, abstract).
• Automate JATS XML generation for future PubMed Central or Scopus submissions.

Crossref DOI setup via GetDOI

1. Complete the Title Registration Form with Crossref (requires ISSN).
2. Configure DOI prefix through GetDOI; typical prefix assignment in 3–4 days.
3. Set automatic deposit triggers in ScholarJMS so each article receives a DOI upon publication.

Phase 6 (Days 76–90): Publish Inaugural Issue & Promote

Final quality checks

• Run plagiarism scans on all accepted manuscripts.
• Validate reference lists with Crossref’s Simple Text Query for citation accuracy.
• Proof-read abstracts and keywords—they become indexing metadata.

Launch the website

• Activate SSL, custom domain and Google Scholar verification.
• Publish at least 5–7 articles to demonstrate critical mass to indexing bodies.
• Deposit DOIs; verify landing pages via Crossref’s Participation Reports.

Promotion & indexing readiness

• Announce the journal launch on LinkedIn, ResearchGate and relevant listservs.
• Prepare a DOAJ application; ScholarJMS outputs the metadata XML required.
• Submit sitemaps to Google Search Console; enable schema.org markup for articles.

Frequently Asked Questions (Launch Edition)

Can I really launch within 90 days?

Yes—provided editorial roles are finalised early, documentation is complete for ISSN, and you use an integrated platform like ScholarJMS with GetDOI automation.

What costs should I budget for?

• Platform licence: ScholarJMS or OJS hosting.
• Crossref membership: one-time joining fee + annual dues.
• ISSN application: usually free or nominal administrative fee.
• Plagiarism software: monthly subscription.

Do I need a print ISSN if I’m online-only?

A print ISSN is optional but recommended; some libraries still catalogue dual formats, and it future-proofs any print special issues.

How many articles constitute a “credible” first issue?

A minimum of five peer-reviewed articles across diverse topics signals breadth and satisfies most indexing criteria (e.g., DOAJ).

When should I apply for indexing?

After publishing at least one complete issue with DOIs and demonstrating consistent workflows—typically Day 90 in this roadmap.

Conclusion: Accelerate, Don’t Compromise

Launching a reputable business journal in 90 days demands meticulous planning, agile technology and crystal-clear editorial governance—but it does not require corner-cutting. By securing ISSNs early, leveraging ScholarJMS for end-to-end workflows, and automating Crossref DOI deposits through GetDOI, you can achieve rapid launch and long-term integrity.

Next step? Book a 30-minute strategy call with our journal launch consultants to map your bespoke 90-day timeline.