Competinginterestsrefertosituationswhereanindividual'spersonal,financial,orprofessionalrelationshipscouldpotentiallyinfluencetheirjudgment,decisions,oractionsinawaythatmaycreatebiasorconflict.Theseinterestscanbeactual,perceived,orpotential,andtheyoftenariseinacademic,scientific,medical,orbusinesscontexts.Commonexamplesincludefinancialtiestocompanies,personalrelationshipswithstakeholders,orinstitutionalaffiliationsthatmightaffectobjectivity.Disclosingcompetinginterestsisimportanttomaintaintransparency,trust,andintegrityinresearch,publications,orprofessionalactivities.Organizationsandjournalsoftenrequireindividualstodeclareanycompetingintereststoensureethicalstandardsareupheld.
