Performance Evaluation and Enhancement of the Manuscript Publication process Using Process Mining(Case Study: Journal of Science and Techniques of Information Management)

Objective: In recent years, the publication of scholarly articles in Iran has increased significantly. This growth can attributed to factors such as the expansion of graduate programs, publication requirements for faculty and students, and the influence of publication metrics on inistitutional and faculty rankings. Evaluations of faculty performance, university rankings, doctoral admissions, and promotions criteria have further reinforced this trend. However, the manuscript publication process -which includes writing, peer review, revision, and final publication -is often lengthy and challenging. Consequently, employing innovative methods such as process mining can help reduce processing time, enhance efficiency, and improve article quality. The main objective of this study is to analyze and improve the performance of academic manuscript publication processes using process mining. The research addresses two key questions: 1) What is the process model for article publication? and 2) What are the bottlenecks and the most time-consuming or frequent activities in the publication process? Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of enhancing the quality and efficiency of publication processes to shorten publication timelines and increase the scholarly impact of articles.
Methodology: This research applies process mining as an effective approach for analyzing, improving, and redesigning organizational processes. Process mining utilizes event logs from information systems to discover process models and identify inefficiencies. The methodology comprises three main phases: discovery, conformance, and enhancement. In the discovery phase, event logs are used to generate a process model without prior assumptions, revealing how processes are actually executed. The conformance phase compares the discovered model with actual data to detect deviations between intended and real process behaviors. Finally, the enhancement phase focuses on identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies to design and implement process optimizations.
Findings: The findings indicate that the academic article publication process consists of multiple stages, each requiring varying amounts of time and resources. Key stages include manuscript submission through the journal system, initial screening based on specific criteria, similarity checking, assignment to expert reviewers, follow-up on author revisions, and final approval for publication. Although minor variations may exist across journals, the overall process remains similar. A major bottleneck identified is the time-consuming peer review and revision stage, which often causes significant delays—sometimes lasting several months. For instance, the time required for initial assessment, similarity checks, and reviewer feedback frequently exceeds expectations. Process mining analysis suggests that some delays can be reduced through automation. Specifically, automated similarity-checking systems can accelerate initial screening and streamline the process.
Additional findings reveal that the peer review process in higher-tier journals tends to be more complex and time-intensive due to higher submission volumes and the need for specialized evaluations. The study also suggests that improved scheduling of publication stages, along with advanced information systems, can help reduce delays. Better coordination among editorial board members and reviewers may further expedite the review and revision process.
Conclusion: Using process mining, this research has analyzed and proposed improvements for the manuscript publication process in academic journals. The results highlight that a primary challenge lies in the prolonged peer review and revision stages. Therefore, adopting automation tools and process optimization can significantly reduce publication time. Identifying bottlenecks and weaknesses also contributes to enhancing article quality and increasing journal efficiency. It is recommended that academic journals employ advanced approaches such as process mining and modern information systems to analyze and refine their workflows, thereby improving quality and shortening publication timelines.
Ultimately, this study underscores the vital role of academic journals in knowledge dissemination and scholarly advancement. Optimizing publication processes can elevate the quality of scholarly articles and amplify their impact at both national and international levels.