Editorial Mission
The Journal of Direct Selling Research is dedicated to advancing independent scholarship that deepens understanding of the direct selling channel. Our mission is to provide a platform for high-quality research and scholarly writing that informs educators, policymakers, and industry leaders, fosters academic discourse, and contributes to the development of effective policies, regulations and practices within the marketplace.
About the Journal
JDSR is a scholarly publication committed to fostering research that highlights the economic, social, and ethical dimensions of direct selling. Our goal is to promote thoughtful analysis and informed discussions that contribute to the broader understanding of this dynamic sector.
Submission Topics
We encourage submissions that explore a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Economic contributions and market dynamics of direct selling.
- Micro-entrepreneurship, innovation, and distributor behavior.
- Consumer protection, trust, and ethical business practices.
- Digital transformation and social media’s role in direct selling.
- Sociocultural impacts of direct selling on communities and individuals.
- Salesforce recruiting, retention, motivations and performance.
- Comparisons of direct selling from other independent work or “gigs” — could be a legal or economic analysis.
- Regulatory and public policy implications for the channel, such as:
- Nuances and complexities surrounding independent contractor classification, examining the legal, economic, and societal implications of related policies.
- Distinguishing between legitimate business models and illegal pyramid schemes.
- Understanding best practices in product and earnings representations.
Why Submit?
- Advance scholarly and public understanding of the direct selling business model.
- Collaborate with fellow scholars to expand the reach of your research.
- Gain recognition as an expert in a dynamic and impactful distribution channel.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals
The body of the proposal should include:
- A brief literature review describing the theoretical foundation of the paper.
- A description of the proposed article.
- A description of how the proposed article will contribute to the field of direct selling, including any insights for policymakers or regulators if applicable.
- A description of the methods and investigative procedures to be used prior to writing the paper.
- Any requests for existing DSEF industry data or expected use of QuickPulse surveys required to support the paper.
- Any similar articles written or published by the authors.
- An updated and current CV for each author/co-author.
Evaluation:
- Proposals will be reviewed by JDSR’s Publisher/Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor, with input from select DSEF Fellows serving as advisors on a rotating basis. While advisors will provide valuable scholarly perspectives, final decisions on content selection and publication will remain with DSEF.
- Proposals will be evaluated based on the benefit to the Editorial Mission of JDSR.
Approved Articles
Articles should:
- Adhere to APA formatting guidelines and use in-text citations.
- Minimum of 1,500-2,000 words; additional length as needed to support academic scholarship.
- Articles must include a summation of key takeaways for relevant audiences in the form of infographic(s) and/or text boxes. Examples of infographics can be found in our current issue.
Key Dates
- Proposal Submission Deadline: June 13, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: July 11, 2025
- Article + Infographics Submission: December 17, 2025
Submissions
Please send submissions and inquiries to: Kimberly Harris Bliton, JDSR Executive Editor.
We look forward to showcasing your work and continuing to advance meaningful scholarship on the direct selling channel!