Global Impacts and Challenges of Paperless Books: A Preliminary Study
Chiang-nan Chao, Niall Hegarty, Abraham Stefanidis

Abstract
This study focuses on comparing the different perceptions between ebooks and printed books, as the ebooks are now rapidly challenging the traditional publishing market globally. This study, through an empirical survey to examine from the consumers’ standpoints, focuses on a range of managerial issues about ebook adoptions. These managerial issues will not only be strategic to the publishing industry’s bottom line, but also shape our future environment. The study finds ebooks have significant advantages in many aspects over the printed books. Although ebook adoption is growing rapidly, in some ways, it still lacks some of the advantages existed in printed books, e.g. there are many different and incompatible platforms for the usage of ebooks, and the consumers do not need to have the concern of copyright for printed books. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that publishers may need to more aggressively promote ebooks not only as a way to reduce the cost, but also as a way to preserve our global environment.

Full Text: PDF

Global Impacts and Challenges of Paperless Books: A Preliminary Study
Chiang-nan Chao, Niall Hegarty, Abraham Stefanidis

Abstract
This study focuses on comparing the different perceptions between ebooks and printed books, as the ebooks are now rapidly challenging the traditional publishing market globally. This study, through an empirical survey to examine from the consumers’ standpoints, focuses on a range of managerial issues about ebook adoptions. These managerial issues will not only be strategic to the publishing industry’s bottom line, but also shape our future environment. The study finds ebooks have significant advantages in many aspects over the printed books. Although ebook adoption is growing rapidly, in some ways, it still lacks some of the advantages existed in printed books, e.g. there are many different and incompatible platforms for the usage of ebooks, and the consumers do not need to have the concern of copyright for printed books. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that publishers may need to more aggressively promote ebooks not only as a way to reduce the cost, but also as a way to preserve our global environment.

Full Text: PDF