Re: Replies to questions about "electronic journals"

From: Albert Henderson <NobleStation_at_COMPUSERVE.COM>
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 14:16:12 -0400

on Mon, 2 Oct 2000 Steve Hitchcock <sh94r_at_ECS.SOTON.AC.UK> wrote:

> The problem for many online-only journals is that they are electronic
> *format* but print journal in concept, i.e. they only differ only in
> delivery mechanism, which isn't sufficiently distinctive.
>
> For different reasons, both the hybrid model and many online-only journals
> are too reverential to the established journal model. Those who want
> electronic journals to achieve (1)-(9), especially (9), have to be more
> open to new models.

Well, there go the savings. The main economic argument for
online vs. print has been savings in distribution all else
being equal. By fully embracing the potential of the digital
technology, the cost of the first copy rises, displacing
distribution economies and then some.

Baumol and Blackman observed that increased use of computers
provoked new labor-intensive work, causing a "cost disease"
(JASIS. 1983. 34:181-191) It was not long after that industry
termed the phenomenon the "Productivity Paradox."

Albert Henderson
Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY 1994-2000
<70244.1532_at_compuserve.com>
Received on Mon Jan 24 2000 - 19:17:43 GMT