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This paper examines the repetition of prophecies on the end of the book, and changes in book production and reading demographics. The paper hypothesizes that in Western societies perceptions of the death of the book have been influenced by the greater mental demands of consuming textual media in comparison with their audiovisual counterparts. In order to understand how these different mental demands have influenced debates on the death of the book, the paper shows that the 20th century witnessed significant changes in book-reading demographics and book distribution which rather paradoxically correlated not only with the growth of audiovisual media and changes in educational demographics but also with the explosion of book consumption and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an original approach to examining the UK book-publishing industry over the past 30 years: as a case study within the context of boundaryless career theory. Boundaryless career theory has inspired a broad body of research but there is a research gap relating to its application in publishing. The paper considers how an industry that was largely boundaryless (with regular and often rapid transition of individuals between different organizations and functions), and was at the same time highly boundaried from external involvement (little penetrated by those without either previous connections or understanding), is now opening up to a range of external forces and personnel. This development has largely arisen from the digital revolution and the associated processes and practice of self-publishing. The paper considers the various existing stakeholders in the industry, and the impact that current changes may have on previous business models. Finally, it considers the transferable skills being gained by those acquiring publishing expertise and offers predictions about how these trends will impact on the publishing industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2014, Scotland will hold a referendum on whether to remain part of the United Kingdom or become an independent country. This article examines how a transition to independence might affect the publishing industry in Scotland. It addresses some of the key considerations for publishers facing the prospect of operating in a newly autonomous country, beginning with an overview of the current state of Scottish publishing, before presenting the most relevant points of the Scottish National Party's White Paper on Independence and the results of a PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental) analysis. Drawing on this information, it delineates the potential effects, both positive and negative, of independence on the Scottish publishing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The printed book in a hybrid environment is still a privileged medium. During recent decades, significant changes have taken place in the publishing industry worldwide. This paper looks into the structural organization of large publishing houses to offer a detailed examination of the editorial department and the role of the editor. Relevant literature is reviewed and empirical evidence is presented. Empirical research examined the organization of publishing companies and existing departments, focusing on the responsibilities of the editor and the editorial department. The survey took place in May to June 2010 and included all large publishing houses in Greece, i.e. those which publish over 80 titles annually. The survey found that the organization of these publishing companies is influenced most significantly by the their family-owned and -managed structure as well as by advances in information technology. Novel organizational entities for electronic production, promotion, distribution, and advertisement are making their presence felt. The editorial department remains important in this framework, and the editors are, among other things, responsible for book selection and list-building. However, the role of the editor in Greece, although significant, is often not clearly defined, and may even be underestimated, owing to the structure of the industry, the family-managed publishing companies, and the central role of the publisher. The Greek book-publishing industry remains small, limited by the number of Greek-speakers, and the results presented may be representative of small industries that furthermore face economic recession. This is one of very few studies providing theoretical and survey results for the organizational structure of publishing houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]