Publishers are repositioning themselves to take advantage of the globalization of book markets and the effects of digitization on the media industries, is opening up a global audience (Phillips, 2014). It is therefore important to look at publishing across the globe to see how digital is effecting various countries and the different platforms that are used. For example, 66.9 million citizens in America are expected to use an eReader (Velma, 2014), whereas Korea have had a huge fluctuation in tablet usage (Bain and Company, 2011), whilst China’s publishing industry are mostly targeting smartphones (Kozlowski, 2014).
China are very innovative with their ideas and there are many start-ups tackling app development, new content delivery methods and cool ways to appeal to the mobile reader. The Chinese central government have issued a series of guidelines to help traditional publishing enter the digital world and offered financial assistance to make it happen (Kozlowski, 2014). Therefore publishing houses in China are getting aid with finance during the digital change from the government as they too are recognising the possibilities for publishers with technology. Contrastingly, the eBook market in Italy, although growing, is at an embryonic stage. In 2011 things began to change slowly, with more companies introducing eBook production (Mussinelli, 2011), but it is clear that many countries are at different stages of development with eReaders and digitalising the publishing world.
The growth and impact of e-books is reflective in the economy of developed countries since these countries can boast the required skill and infrastructure to advance its technology. On the contrary, very little can be said of developing countries and its contribution (Mussinelli, 2011). Mohammed (2011), stated that Africa imports close to 70% of its book needs and exports less than 5% of its total output. It is expensive for developing countries to print many books, however, the digitisation of book publishing is transforming the economy and creating opportunities for developing countries (International Alliance of Independent Publishers, n.d). The larger corporations are able to transfer their methods, systems, skills, expertise and invest in new technologies and this is a big advantage for global publishing players (Thompson, 2005). In contrast, the entrepreneurs and independent publishing houses should perhaps attempt to tackle the developing countries.
It is interesting to also mention the large differences in countries with digital educational school markets. Whilst the UK and Norway have a percentage of 15% and 10%. Germany has a market of 6%, France 1% and Italy, Portugal and Spain with a very little market. These are stimulating figures for publishers to look at, as there are potential markets for publishers to distribute to and target.
Looking at different countries helps us see how digital publishing is effecting more than one place. It implies how different platforms of media are used and are more popular in various countries. In turn stressing to the publishers that they must make multi-media platform content. It also provides evidence to suggest that the digitisation of the publishing industry is becoming beneficial to countries that were unable to produce print books. The publishing industry are now targeting a global audience (Phillips, 2014), it is a world-wide industry and that is with thanks to digitisation, to some extent.
Word Count 533
Bibliography
Bain and Company (2011) Publishing in the Digital Era: A Bain and Company Study for the Forum d’Avignon. Bain and Company inc. Found at: http://www.bain.com/Images/BB_Publishing_in_the_digital_era_4_11.pdf [assessed 12th November 2014]
International Alliance of Independent Publishers (n.d). Digital Publishing in Developing Countries. Found at: http://alliance-lab.org/etude/?lang=en [assessed 12th November 2014]
Mussinelli,C (2011) “Editech 2011: eBooks and Much more in Europe.” Springer Science and Business Media. Academic Search Complete [Online] Found at: http//ebscohost.com [assessed 12th November 2014]
Phillips,A. (2014) Turning the Page: The Evolution of the Book. London: Routledge
Thompson, J (2005) Books in the Digital Age. Cambridge: Polity Press
Velma (2014) Electronic Book Publishing: Where is its Place in Developing Countries. Found at: http://tkbr.ccsp.sfu.ca/pub802/2014/01/electronic-book-publishing-where-is-its-place-in-developing-countries-2/ [assessed 12th November 2014]
Kozlowski,M (2014) Chinese Digital Publishing Industry Valued at 56 Billion. Found at: http://www.whatsnewinpublishing.co.uk/discuss/1767 [assessed 12th November 2014]
China are very innovative with their ideas and there are many start-ups tackling app development, new content delivery methods and cool ways to appeal to the mobile reader. The Chinese central government have issued a series of guidelines to help traditional publishing enter the digital world and offered financial assistance to make it happen (Kozlowski, 2014). Therefore publishing houses in China are getting aid with finance during the digital change from the government as they too are recognising the possibilities for publishers with technology. Contrastingly, the eBook market in Italy, although growing, is at an embryonic stage. In 2011 things began to change slowly, with more companies introducing eBook production (Mussinelli, 2011), but it is clear that many countries are at different stages of development with eReaders and digitalising the publishing world.
The growth and impact of e-books is reflective in the economy of developed countries since these countries can boast the required skill and infrastructure to advance its technology. On the contrary, very little can be said of developing countries and its contribution (Mussinelli, 2011). Mohammed (2011), stated that Africa imports close to 70% of its book needs and exports less than 5% of its total output. It is expensive for developing countries to print many books, however, the digitisation of book publishing is transforming the economy and creating opportunities for developing countries (International Alliance of Independent Publishers, n.d). The larger corporations are able to transfer their methods, systems, skills, expertise and invest in new technologies and this is a big advantage for global publishing players (Thompson, 2005). In contrast, the entrepreneurs and independent publishing houses should perhaps attempt to tackle the developing countries.
It is interesting to also mention the large differences in countries with digital educational school markets. Whilst the UK and Norway have a percentage of 15% and 10%. Germany has a market of 6%, France 1% and Italy, Portugal and Spain with a very little market. These are stimulating figures for publishers to look at, as there are potential markets for publishers to distribute to and target.
Looking at different countries helps us see how digital publishing is effecting more than one place. It implies how different platforms of media are used and are more popular in various countries. In turn stressing to the publishers that they must make multi-media platform content. It also provides evidence to suggest that the digitisation of the publishing industry is becoming beneficial to countries that were unable to produce print books. The publishing industry are now targeting a global audience (Phillips, 2014), it is a world-wide industry and that is with thanks to digitisation, to some extent.
Word Count 533
Bibliography
Bain and Company (2011) Publishing in the Digital Era: A Bain and Company Study for the Forum d’Avignon. Bain and Company inc. Found at: http://www.bain.com/Images/BB_Publishing_in_the_digital_era_4_11.pdf [assessed 12th November 2014]
International Alliance of Independent Publishers (n.d). Digital Publishing in Developing Countries. Found at: http://alliance-lab.org/etude/?lang=en [assessed 12th November 2014]
Mussinelli,C (2011) “Editech 2011: eBooks and Much more in Europe.” Springer Science and Business Media. Academic Search Complete [Online] Found at: http//ebscohost.com [assessed 12th November 2014]
Phillips,A. (2014) Turning the Page: The Evolution of the Book. London: Routledge
Thompson, J (2005) Books in the Digital Age. Cambridge: Polity Press
Velma (2014) Electronic Book Publishing: Where is its Place in Developing Countries. Found at: http://tkbr.ccsp.sfu.ca/pub802/2014/01/electronic-book-publishing-where-is-its-place-in-developing-countries-2/ [assessed 12th November 2014]
Kozlowski,M (2014) Chinese Digital Publishing Industry Valued at 56 Billion. Found at: http://www.whatsnewinpublishing.co.uk/discuss/1767 [assessed 12th November 2014]