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From Publishers to Self-Publishing: Disruptive Effects in the Book Industry

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  • Morten Hviid
  • Sofia Izquierdo-Sanchez
  • Sabine Jacques

Abstract

This paper explores the structure of the book publishing industry post digitalisation, analysing the choices of the publishers and authors. The introduction of successful e-book readers has belatedly given digitalisation the characteristics of a disruptive technology by making self-publishing a serious option for authors. This has been supported by the entry of new types of intermediaries and the strengthening of others. These changes have reduced the general requirements for an author to get a book self-published. As a result, a larger share of the surplus from the book industry is likely to go to authors, explaining the significant increase in the supply of books. The potential oversupply of books has created a new problem by increasing competition and making consumer searches more difficult. We argue that digitalisation has shifted the potential for market failure from an inadequate supply of books to asymmetric information about quality. It remains to be seen whether the market will provide appropriate intermediaries to solve the asymmetric information problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Morten Hviid & Sofia Izquierdo-Sanchez & Sabine Jacques, 2019. "From Publishers to Self-Publishing: Disruptive Effects in the Book Industry," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(3), pages 355-381, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ijecbs:v:26:y:2019:i:3:p:355-381
    DOI: 10.1080/13571516.2019.1611198
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    Cited by:

    1. Ciocîrlan Cecilia & Hrib Bogdan, 2023. "Turning Pages, Facing Challenges: Unveiling Business Inactivity and SMEs' Challenges in Romania's Book Publishing Market," Culture. Society. Economy. Politics, Sciendo, vol. 3(2), pages 26-42, December.
    2. Silvi Berger & Morten Hviid, 2019. "Who Should Set Book Prices?," Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) 2019-07, Centre for Competition Policy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK..

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