High Costs, Long Waits, and Ethical Dilemmas: A Review of Challenges in Academic Publishing

The landscape of publication of research papers is becoming more and more challenging, especially in terms of the financial, temporal, and ethical aspects. These challenges are made worse by the expanding power of accrediting bodies and technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Article Processing Charges (APCs) sometimes exceed the financial means of academics and researchers, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. High submission volumes and peer-review bottlenecks cause lengthy publication timelines, which further complicate matters and cause uncertainty and delays in scholars’ career advancement. Academic integrity is threatened by ethical issues like the improper use of AI tools, which also call into question the originality and creativity of research. This review draws upon insights from a curated body of recently published research papers to highlight structural injustices in academic publishing, their adverse effects on global research output, and the excessive pressure placed on faculty members to fulfill the requirements of accreditation agencies. To promote a more just and sustainable research ecosystem, this study suggests doable solutions, such as reforms in publishing economics, expedited peer-review procedures, and responsible AI use. JEL Codes: D63, F63, I23, O33.