Strategic use of E-Commerce in the Transformation of the Publishing Industry

The intent of this paper is to explore the strategic use of e-commerce in the transformation of the publishing industry. The first section of the paper explores the strategic use of e-commerce in the transformation of the publishing industry from a single distribution channel mass producer of printed books to a multiple distribution channel that will include e-books and “print on demand” technologies. Emphasis is placed on management strategies in the use of new information technologies in the global marketplace. The second section of this paper discusses the shift of competitive power among the various tiers along the publishing industry supply chain including the current developments in electronic publishing from the vantage point of the stakeholders The implications and likely scenario awaiting the future business environment of the publishing industry is presented in the third section of this paper