Standardization and differentiation in the publishing industry

Hagenhoff S, Fahsel J (2014)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Abstract of lecture

Publication year: 2014

Event location: Tallinn EE

URI: https://buchwissenschaft.phil.fau.de/files/2022/08/Hagenhoff-Fahsel-2014-Emma-Paper-and-Presentation.pdf

Abstract

This article aims to examine the area of tension between the phenomena of ‘standardization’ and ‘differentiation’ in the publishing industry. This industry often feels like a creative industry where standards do not belong and, limit authors’ and editors’ freedom. Nevertheless, both historically and today, standardization has led to progress in the industry. It is also evident that magazine and newspaper publishers have been losing revenue for years, and book recipients often do not wish to pay very much money for ebooks. In addition, recipients want access to information via different media: the product portfolio of publishing houses is increasing while markets are fragmenting and circulation numbers are decreasing due to the number of product variants. The question arises as to whether publishing processes could be made cheaper in a fourth phase of industrialization.
This paper explains different approaches to the term ‘standard’ and presents basic strategic patterns as a theoretical framework for the phenomena ‘standard’ and ‘differentiation’. Furthermore, examples of existing standards in the publishing industry are identified. Two case studies are presented from which we can learn both about the potential of standardization and about its difficulties and challenges.

Authors with CRIS profile

Svenja Hagenhoff Professur für Buchwissenschaft, insbesondere E-Publishing und Digitale Märkte Jörn Fahsel Professur für Buchwissenschaft, insbesondere E-Publishing und Digitale Märkte

Related research project(s)

Publishing 4.0 – Chancen, Anforderungen, Konzepte. Jan. 1, 2014 - Dec. 31, 2017 Produktionssysteme beim crossmedialen Publizieren Sept. 1, 2010 - Sept. 30, 2011

How to cite

APA:

Hagenhoff, S., & Fahsel, J. (2014, May). Standardization and differentiation in the publishing industry. Paper presentation at EMMA Conference 2014 (Media convergence and multi-platform strategies), Tallinn, EE.

MLA:

Hagenhoff, Svenja, and Jörn Fahsel. "Standardization and differentiation in the publishing industry." Presented at EMMA Conference 2014 (Media convergence and multi-platform strategies), Tallinn 2014.

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