Dear Ashidi Ayodeji ,

I presume you talk about subscription-based (and/or hybrid) journals. Obviously, there are multiple reasons for this. My estimate would be:

-Finding the proper and enough peer reviewers (often the main reason)

-Lack of space in the print version (second reason that causes delay as well)

-For some specialized areas journals they simply lack the necessary degree of expertise (and manpower indeed)

-Quality of the manuscript

Best regards.

PS. Taking first decision can last between a few weeks and six months or so. Taking more than a year is exceptionally long (might be caused by changes in the editorial board?).

See also these discussions:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Unreasonable_review_times

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_longest_period_in_of_years_and_months_you_ever_waited_to_have_your_article_published_after_being_notified_that_it_is_accepted

@Ashidi Long queue of submissions is one of the main reasons for delayed first decision (whether manuscript be sent for peer review or not) on a submission. However; most of the times for almost every journal, finding appropriate reviewers and receive review reports are most time consuming process hence delaying the decision.

@ashidi, all the reasons you have mentioned are very valid. Generally, the number of papers is much more than the available reviewers. Hence, available reviewers are overworked.

All the comments or contributions are valid. However, experts in such areas of new findings may not be available.

From the position of Editor:

- yes, it is very hard job to get reviewers according their qualification

- press of new line of OA journals is growing

- some OA journals are giving "vouchers" for reviewers, that is, some kind of payment; therefore, situation in the subscription based journals id worsening

From the position of Author:

- I cannot wait year(s), just to know my manuscript is rejected. One such case for me was enough.

- Freedom of science allows me publish where I want, and choose my options how long I am going to wait with review

From the position of Reviewer:

- I will not anymore review manuscripts from journals, which reject my papers just for reasons "we failed to find reviewer, bla bla bla"

Volume of submission, delay of report submission by referees and readiness of all referees' reports are factors to consider.