The Business of Scholarly Publishing

Managing in Turbulent Times

Albert N. Greco

The most recent, comprehensive analysis of the diverse scholarly publishing industry in the U.S.
Includes extensive statistical tables and economic analyses of books and journals
Offers recommendations for scholarly publishers to address changes in the marketplace, disruptive technologies, open access, and copyright infringement concerns

The Business of Scholarly Publishing

Managing in Turbulent Times

Albert N. Greco

Description

The financial, technological, and institutional challenges facing scholarly presses are more critical now than they have ever been. Sales channels have narrowed, costs have risen, and technological change and the push toward open access have drastically changed the economic landscape. However, the publishing and dissemination of scholarly books and journals remains essential to academic research. How are publishers adapting this evolving environment?

In The Business of Scholarly Publishing, Albert N. Greco examines this question through a detailed analysis of the business of the scholarly publishing in the United States since World War II. Drawing on an extensive review of the literature, statistical sources, and real examples from the author's experience in the industry, this book analyzes the changing circumstances of scholarly publishing. Greco turns a critical eye to the product, price, placement, promotion, and costs of scholarly books and journals with a primary emphasis on the trajectory over the last ten years. By including books, journals, pre-prints, and online repositories, the book covers the diverse range of academic publications and explains how publishers can address contemporary challenges across formats. Greco also pays special attention to the history and development of scholarly books and journals, intellectual property issues, contracts, and the impact of technology.

The first study wholly devoted to the subject, The Business of Scholarly Publishing offers critical insights into the evolving business strategies and structures of a resilient industry.

The Business of Scholarly Publishing

Managing in Turbulent Times

Albert N. Greco

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: The Changing Environment for Scholarly Publishing
Chapter 2: The Product and Pricing of Scholarly Journals
Chapter 3: The Promotion and Placement of Scholarly Journals
Chapter 4: The Product and Pricing of Scholarly Books
Chapter 5: The Changing World of Scholarly Books: The Impact of Technology, Money Flows, Open Access, and Libraries as Publishers
Chapter 6: Managing in Turbulent Times: Toward New Business Strategies in Scholarly Publishing
Index

The Business of Scholarly Publishing

Managing in Turbulent Times

Albert N. Greco

Author Information

Albert N. Greco, Professor of Marketing, Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University

Albert N. Greco is Professor of Marketing at Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business. He is the author or editor of 16 scholarly books and 10 professional books, 33 journal articles, and 25 book chapters. In addition to serving on the editorial board of three scholarly journals, Greco has also done extensive consulting work for Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and JP Morgan, among others. His books include The Economics of Publishing and Information Industries, The Book Publishing Industry, and The Culture and Commerce of Book Publishing in the 21st Century.

The Business of Scholarly Publishing

Managing in Turbulent Times

Albert N. Greco

Reviews and Awards

"Albert Greco gives an authoritative view of the business strategies employed by academic publishers across a period of growth and technological change. His illuminating study examines the challenges presented by open access publishing and sharing platforms, and how scholarly publishing is evolving to survive." - Angus Phillips, Director of the Oxford International Centre for Publishing

"Professor Greco has again demonstrated that he is the leading authority, if not doyen, for economics of scholarly publishing. He has judiciously marshalled a vast amount of data, current controversies, and successes pertaining to the scholarly publishing ecosystem. His command of this field is unparalleled, further making this book a must-read. Greco's insights and deeply rich understanding of nuances of academic life and publishing offer the interested nonprofessional and specialist a useful big-picture of the North American English language publishing world." - Jean-Pierre V. M. Hérubel, Professor, Purdue University Libraries and School of Information

"As Greco so rightly says, 'scholarly publishing is a business; it is not a social service.' While it is a discrete area of publishing, run by specialists, it has a huge significance within debates about intellectual property and the future international knowledge-economy. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, Greco offers a sound blend of fascinating precedent, current practice, future predictions - and practical guidance. This will be of immense value to academics, publishers, and academic librarians." - Alison Baverstock, Professor, Kingston University

"From title page to last page, Albert Greco reminds us again that scholarly publishing is a business and will have a hard time surviving if its participants-from authors to administrators to librarians to publishing professionals in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors-do not recognize that simple fact. Along the way he provides clear, concise explanations of contracts and copyrights that will benefit newcomers and refresh the memories of even seasoned publishers." - Alex Holzman, President of Alex Publishing Solutions and former Director of Temple University Press