Search

The purpose of this article is to add to the collective body of knowledge on student behavior and attitudes relative to the adoption of digital textbooks. The article summarizes an ongoing research project that examines past, current and evolving behavior in the classroom related to digital textbooks and school. It includes students, faculty and administrative attitudes behaviors and perceptions. This research was undertaken at the Sawyer Business School of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. Student attitudes and behavior toward their use of digital textbooks (eTextbooks) in higher education was examined in an ongoing longitudinal study over two years at Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University. Students in the class were divided into six teams. Five of the teams were assigned an eTextbook device and the sixth team was given a paper textbook for use through the semester. The digital technologies examined were: Amazon Kindle, Sony eReader Touch, Apple iPad, enTourage eDGe, and CourseSmart. Student attitudes and behaviors were examined pre and post class by survey each semester, and during the semesters through quizzes, journals and classroom discussion. Differential learning was measured between the six teams. Student attitudes and behaviors are becoming more receptive to and accepting of using digital textbooks each year. There was no significant difference in learning between the eTextbook devices teams or between them and the paper textbook team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the first years of the new millennium, the popularization of e-books and widely available digital content built a strong case for the possibility of analog eradication. Within the past few decades, most popular analog forms of entertainment have been replaced by more compact and efficient methods of consumption. Therefore, as e-readers gained momentum in publishing, the industry prepared for the reality that print books could become increasingly irrelevant. However, over a decade later, we have seen something shocking in the context of an increasingly digital society: print books are thriving in a digitized world. In this paper, I will discuss the complex relationship between publishing and the digital sphere and explore the prevalence of print. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Editech 2011 conference identified that publishers need to follow new paths and experiment more rapidly in all the areas of business related to a growing number of new digital publishing activities. Most important they need to rethink all the relationships actually in place with all the other factors in the publishing value chain and then radically reinvent their role in the quickly changing digital and ebook businesses. It is clear that now most of the changes are driven by the big three Google, Amazon, Apple and the publishers are following. However, especially in Europe the publishers have different approaches based on a brief review of selected key papers presented from different countries and sectors of the digital publishing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the current situation of China's book market, especially online book selling. Dangdang, Jingdong Mall, Amazon China and Tmall are the four major suppliers of China's online book selling. This paper analyzes the market share, business models and development path of these four operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares publishing in two European countries with fixed respective free book prices: Germany and Sweden, when it comes to the phenomenon vertical integration. Concentration of media ownership is a central issue in today's global publishing industry and large international media groups are consolidating at a fast pace, taking over more and more links in the value chain of books. One of the foremost examples is Amazon-established in Germany and fast expanding in Europe, but not yet present in Sweden. This paper presents a broad overview of the two markets and interviews with several actors in the German and Swedish book trades are analyzed and compared. Amazon's impact on the respective book markets as well as strategies for independent publishers are discussed. The question whether concentration of media ownership in the book trade affects publishing and distribution of 'quality literature' is also raised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some key questions for publishers in today’s market are: Could Amazon’s recent merger and acquisitions strategy create a disruptive or paradigm shifting business model in the publishing industry? Do their recent actions post mergers and acquisitions illustrate a predicable pattern of behaviour that publishers can strategize around? This paper will explore these questions and look at some of the possible reasons behind Amazon’s business practices and the possible consequences to publishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of e-books in Korea has been a puzzle for the rest of the world due to its late acceptance and development in a country that has such a highly developed and wide ranging computer based technologies. The article provides a twenty-year history with a focus on the past 3 years of the emergence of the e-book and related smart phones as prime platforms and then the related development of content. The review also includes the entry of international players such as Amazon's Kindle, Apple and Google with a summary of trends as the role of e-books continues to evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even if the adoption of digital formats in the Spanish publishing industry has been relatively slow, there are many signs-such as the launch of Amazon Spain; some initial experiments with dynamic pricing; and the appearance of start-ups and enterprises in search of new business models exploiting digital content-showing that the market is maturing with the arrival of digital formats. This article presents an overview of the Spanish market and its idiosyncrasies, followed by a description of the possible causes behind the relatively slow adaptation to electronic formats. Key retail platforms, important devices and new digital imprints in the Spanish book industry are also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of Japan's large, prosperous population and its thriving consumer electronics industry appears to the outside world to be an ideal environment for eBook adoption. In fact, despite cross industry initiatives that date back to 2003, widespread digitization of books is limited to Japanese comics (manga). This article will explain the origins of the Japanese eBook market, its current state and the looming entry of Amazon, Apple and Google. Finally, this article will explore the two very different paths that the Japanese publishing industry may take over the next 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimedia EBooks present a tremendous growth opportunity for publishers. Yet, industry executives might be cautious after witnessing the astounding collapse of the record business during its digital transition over the last 10 years. This article looks at what went wrong for Big Music, what lessons book publishers can learn from the recording industry's mistakes and also some visions of the future. And why digitally, for books-at least-it can't get here fast enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is Amazon up to and why? Amazon reported $24 billion in annual revenue, from their 2009 year-end financial results. The Media/book category delivered $5.96 billion, or 1/4 of their total revenue. That’s considerably more than any of the largest companies in the traditional print or digital book business. Barnes and Noble/B Dalton collected $4.52 billion (2008), while Borders/Waldenbooks combined revenue was $3.11 billion (2008). Amazon’s book revenue steadily increases, while Borders and Barnes and Nobel continue to decrease. What strategies and values are fueling this growth? What is their vision and where have they put their money? Amazon has a demonstrated history of consistent behavior since their start-up in 1995, with big visions, long-term strategies, dedicated to streamlining, surgically eliminating costs, prolific innovations, strategic investments, and an obsession over the customer. We’ll track Amazon’s M&A investments in book publishing and digital to see exactly what they are doing to learn where they may be going. It is wise to stay current on one of the most influential companies in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Book Industry Study Group and The Idea Logical Company carried out an online survey to capture publishers’ comments on how market conditions were changing and what they are doing differently as a result of the economic pressures in the consumer market. About 250 individuals responded to the online survey. Interviews were carried out of more than a dozen executives at large and small publishers and their accounts to get further insights. The goal was to identify what are the sales conditions for trade book publishers today and what publishers are doing to change sales and marketing and even editorial practices to accommodate changing times. What we have learned from that joint effort is reflected in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]