scholarly journals INDEPENDENT AUTHORS’ DEPENDENCE ON BIG TECH: CATEGORIZATION AND GOVERNANCE OF AUTHORS OF COLOR ON AMAZON

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Louise Parnell
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Profile Data ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Black Authors ◽  
Website Analysis ◽  
Digital Book

Digital book publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP are often lauded for enabling independent authors unconnected to established publishers to enter the book industry. Despite the appellation, independent authors are not completely autonomous. Book publishing on digital platforms is intensely mediated by the technology companies on which authors rely to publish and disseminate their work. This paper explores the ways in which Amazon KDP undermines the independence of Black authors through its categorization and content moderation systems. The critical framework for this research combines media and platform studies with publishing studies through the application of an ecology model that analyses the technological, economic and socio-cultural contexts in which books and authors circulate online. (van Dijck, 2013). This paper uses a mixed-methods approach consisting of interviews with authors of color and website analysis that collected metadata from Amazon’s Web API. This paper argues that Amazon perpetuates the discrimination Black authors face within the traditional publishing industry through its technological systems. Amazon’s categorisation system uses profile data that has a tendency to sort books by Black authors into categories defined by race regardless of the categories chosen by independent authors. The visibility of books is also impacted by outcomes of Amazon’s content moderation system, Rekognition, which has been proven to be substantially less accurate in accurately identifying darker-skinned individuals (Buolamwini & Gebru, 2018). Amazon acts as a powerful intermediary in the governance and organisation of content in its marketplace due to the increased datafication of books in this sphere.

Features of the Publishing Industry Transformation

2021 ◽  
pp. 117-128
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Kharitonov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Book Production ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Digital Books ◽  
History Of ◽  
Digital Book

There are three stages in the technological history of the modern book industry as a scalable and mass production of books. The main attention is paid to the history of digital books, the beginning of which is associated not so much with the beginning of digital book production, but with the advent of digital distribution. On the technical side, this meant developing common industry standards for the digital book, building a distribution infrastructure based on the Internet, and gaining broadband access to it for the mass consumer. Equally significant were the cultural shifts that accompanied or resulted from this technical transformation. The digitalization of the book itself did not have a significant impact on the industry before the ubiquity of the Internet, since the sphere of existence of digital books was limited to a small number of qualified users. Everything changed in the first two decades of the 21st century, when the laws of the “attention economy” came into force and the mechanism of competition for the user’s time by content was activated. A digital book, on the one hand, is becoming more accessible; on the other hand, the time spent on reading books is being reduced. The development of computer technologies and the Internet, in addition to removing the barrier to access to content, removes a significant number of barriers to content publication. It is important to note that the publishing filter in the context of open publication also ceases to work in legal terms, and its disappearance led, in particular, to the emergence and rapid growth of fan fiction literature, which is in the “gray” zone of copyright. The spread of the Internet, of course, creates not only problems, but also opportunities for publishers, in particular, by changing communication with readers. The Internet has made possible not only direct communication with the reader and reader communities, but also a much more effective prompt response to readers’ requests, including those supported by compelling economic incentives. The changes that are taking place in the book industry at the third stage of technological transformation have a very heterogeneous effect on publishers in different countries, depending on the degree of market development, Internet penetration, and readers’ digital content habits. The main point is that these changes take place in very different ways in different types of book publishing. Obviously, “book”, whatever its definition one gives, is just a convenient collective format for completely different texts, materialized or embodied in digital form in different ways. At the same time, the functional purpose of the text and the way the reader treats it determine the trajectory along which the industrial niche corresponding to certain types of publications will develop, in which direction it will evolve.

BOOK PUBLISHING IN UKRAINE: THE FACTORS OF EVELOP

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Shpak
Keyword(s):  
Information Society ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Information Space ◽  
New Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
National Information

This article is devoted to analysis of the modern problems of book publishing in the context of national information space. Development of the Ukrainian state is impossible without development of national book publishing, which is a part of its information space. In Ukraine, as one of the post-Soviet states, the formation of new information and communication system is based on its own information tradition, mentality and features of spiritual culture of the Ukrainians. It plays an important role in shaping culture, spirituality, comprehensive vision and consciousness of the nation. They were and they are a source of knowledge and the most effective way of its transfer. The transience of processes occurring the era of information society, radical socio-economic reforms, sectoral technological revolution requires the continuous scientific researches and analysis, identifying the trends in publishing industry as one of the most important factors in the state’s democratic progress. The author summarizes the development of book publishing of Ukraine and shows its role and place in the modern information society. The study of the modern book publishing is impossible without digression into the past, without finding out the roots of studying of the analysis object. The specific problems of the book industry are identified. It is concluded that in the modern Ukraine the publishing business has intensified, although the positive changes are taking place very slowly: the appropriate economic conditions for development of the publishing industry have not been created, the equipment are outdated; editorial, publishing and printing equipment of domestic manufacture are nonavailable; introduction of advanced technology are low; purchasing ability of the population is low; the sales network of printed products has been destroyed and so on. The businesses are becoming increasingly uneconomical. We propose some measures to improve this situation, strengthening the role of industry in the national information space. The key to improve the situation may be systematic and persistent efforts of the Ukrainian government to support the industry.The reason is that a comprehensive study requires from the performers not only historical knowledge, but also economic, managerial, psychological, political efforts and so on. The most important thing that the society and the state should need is the component of doctrine of information security in the context of the national security

Borrowing place brands: product branding from SMEs in the publishing industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-75
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Noorda
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Place Brand ◽  
Online Book ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Method Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test how company size affects the use of Scotland’s place brand in product branding by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the book industry in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a mixed-method approach to investigate place brand adoption for product branding by SMEs in the Scottish book industry through the analysis of Scotland’s place brand identifiers in a corpus of 208 online book blurbs. Findings Results from the analysis show that, amongst SMEs in the Scottish publishing industry, smaller companies are more likely to use Scotland place brand identifiers in product marketing. Originality/value This is the first study to analyze book blurbs from a marketing perspective and it is one of the few articles on product-place co-branding. Additionally, branding in SMEs is a relatively new and uncharted area of research to which this study contributes, and branding in book publishing is also a scarcely researched area, to which this study offers new, empirical data about the relationship between place brands and product brands.

Services and Applications

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Schiller
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Film Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Mobile Internet ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Television Industry ◽  
The Media ◽  
Direct Payments ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the impact of giant multimedia conglomerates on internet services and applications. It first considers the media conglomerates that had dominated the political economy of communications and that now continued to help structure its capital logic. In particular, it looks at the competition presented not only by broadband and mobile internet operators but also by well-financed outsiders and upstarts such as Google and Facebook. It then examines three possible forms of revenue generation for communications and media beyond financing by venture capital and the sale of stock: direct payments, advertising, and noncommercial support, either through governmental or philanthropic finance or voluntary donations. The chapter concludes with a discussion of changes in specific media industries such as the book publishing industry, e-book industry, television industry, music industry, and film industry.

Trading Books

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Ebner-Zarl
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Frankfurt Book Fair ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Book Fair

This monograph offers a systematic overview of international book markets and looks at the structures behind the global flow of book content. The author combines detailed facts and numbers on the global business of books with fundamental knowledge of the book publishing industry and complements them with new empirical findings. She focuses especially on book fairs and their role in the industry, presenting her findings from field research conducted at Frankfurt Book Fair and Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The book also provides an outlook on the book industry in times of the Corona crisis. This overview will appeal to everybody who is interested in familiarising themselves with the book publishing industry, including from a global perspective and with regard to new (digital) trends and developments.

scholarly journals Cultural Odyssey. Reflections on Culture in General and on the Book Industry in Particular

2014 ◽  
pp. 21-23
Author(s):  
B. S. Esen’Kin
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Economic Globalization ◽  
Book Trade ◽  
Economic Welfare ◽  
Book Market ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Science And Education

In the article there are presented the topical issues of development of book publishing industry in general and its branches - publishing companies and book trade - in the conditions of cultural and economic globalization: preservation of humanitarian environment, traditions, culture, literature, science and education; book publishing as the basis of social and economic welfare of state, cultural basis for accumulation and dissemination of knowledge; as well as there are described problems of formation of state policy in the field of culture and book industry, problems of self-regulation, ethical and legal relationships between members of book market.

Mudharabah based crowdfunding as an alternative source of funding book publications in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahrul Ifwat Ishak ◽  
Muhammad Huzaifah Kamaruddin ◽  
Abdulmajeed Muhammad Raji Aderemi
Keyword(s):  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Research

Purpose This paper aims to explore the applicability of mudharabah (partnership) based crowdfunding as an alternative fund to support the book publishing industry, particularly for self-publishers and small publishers. Design/methodology/approach This is an exploratory qualitative study whereby the data are obtained from library research and empirical studies. As for empirical data, it is sourced from semi-structured interviews with three types of groups: the book industry, the crowdfunding platform and Shari’ah experts. Findings The study found that mudharabah crowdfunding could overcome the book publishing industry’s financial problems. However, this requires special requirements for applicants (writers or publishers) to avoid fraudulent cases, as well as committed management in running the platform and a substantial crowd of loyal funders to maintain the platform. Simultaneously, even though mudharabah is a risky instrument, the risk can be mitigated by closely monitoring the progress of the project. As a result, this study proposes a special framework for mudharabah based crowdfunding to fund self-publishers and small publishers in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, in which its findings may not be generalised due to the limited number of participants. Practical implications A special model for mudharabah based crowdfunding can be established through an online platform to support book publishing in Malaysia. Social implications As this mudharabah crowdfunding model has the potential to support the book industry financially, it could also nurture talented young writers while also preserving knowledge. Originality/value This study highlights a fresh and in-depth discussion both in theory and practice in proposing a special Islamic crowdfunding framework based on mudharabah as an alternative fund for the book industry, particularly to support self- and small publishers.

scholarly journals Introducing remote printing into the publishing industry of a small, remote economy: The case of New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Timothy Fabling
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Printing Technology

<p>This research investigates the expected effects on developed business models of introducing remote printing technology into the New Zealand book publishing industry. Remote printing technology will both address and improve on the constraints of geographical proximity and market size, enabling the New Zealand book publishing industry to collectively grow and experience future prosperity.   Aspects of technological innovation and consumer behaviour are examined to explore issues surrounding geographic proximity and supply chain inefficiencies. Criteria are developed using Just-In-Time (JIT) theory and Supply Chain Management (SCM) to evaluate where remote printing technology might best be integrated in the New Zealand book publishing industry’s supply chain. The mutual effects between remote printing technology adoption and the expected effects on business models are evaluated, identifying which model is expected to provide the most significant benefits in a New Zealand context.   A case study of six New Zealand book industry respondents was conducted. Qualitative data was collected in semi-structured interviews with members associated within different sectors of the New Zealand book publishing industry. The interview data was supplemented with secondary data sources, including publicly available information about the New Zealand book industry. A within-case and cross-case analysis was performed around the research identified above.   By evaluating developed business models and assessing which model/s effectively address the New Zealand context, remote printing offers brick-and-mortar booksellers the ability to better compete with offshore online booksellers. The expected effects remote printing technology will have on the New Zealand book industry are presented. A major contribution to this study is that remote printing technology could in fact have a revolutionary impact on the New Zealand book industry, compared to what has been previously considered.</p>

scholarly journals Introducing remote printing into the publishing industry of a small, remote economy: The case of New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Timothy Fabling
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Book Industry ◽  
Book Publishing ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Book Publishing Industry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Printing Technology

<p>This research investigates the expected effects on developed business models of introducing remote printing technology into the New Zealand book publishing industry. Remote printing technology will both address and improve on the constraints of geographical proximity and market size, enabling the New Zealand book publishing industry to collectively grow and experience future prosperity.   Aspects of technological innovation and consumer behaviour are examined to explore issues surrounding geographic proximity and supply chain inefficiencies. Criteria are developed using Just-In-Time (JIT) theory and Supply Chain Management (SCM) to evaluate where remote printing technology might best be integrated in the New Zealand book publishing industry’s supply chain. The mutual effects between remote printing technology adoption and the expected effects on business models are evaluated, identifying which model is expected to provide the most significant benefits in a New Zealand context.   A case study of six New Zealand book industry respondents was conducted. Qualitative data was collected in semi-structured interviews with members associated within different sectors of the New Zealand book publishing industry. The interview data was supplemented with secondary data sources, including publicly available information about the New Zealand book industry. A within-case and cross-case analysis was performed around the research identified above.   By evaluating developed business models and assessing which model/s effectively address the New Zealand context, remote printing offers brick-and-mortar booksellers the ability to better compete with offshore online booksellers. The expected effects remote printing technology will have on the New Zealand book industry are presented. A major contribution to this study is that remote printing technology could in fact have a revolutionary impact on the New Zealand book industry, compared to what has been previously considered.</p>

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