Institutional responsibility in endorsing the publishers and journals where its members publish

Abstract

In recent years, the number of scientific journals and submitted articles has increased exponentially due to growing publication pressure and new technological tools. However, many institutions and researchers still struggle to meet high scientific standards, leading to more rejections. This situation led to the rise of predatory journals, which publish articles for payment without proper peer review, thereby damaging scientific credibility. Although the peer review process is not perfect, external evaluation remains essential. Recently, new publishers have emerged in an intermediate zone between predatory and legitimate journals. They follow formal procedures but prioritize exclusively commercial interests, often accelerating reviews, pressuring editors, and publishing excessive special issues sometimes over 80 % of total publications. Such practices undermine scientific quality and ethics. Institutions thus play a crucial role in guiding researchers on where to publish. Some, such as the Universidad de la República (Udelar, Uruguay), have warned against low-reputation journals that charge high fees and conduct superficial reviews. Inconsistent policies may harm institutional prestige and academic careers in the long term.