Expectation and Reality in Digital Publishing: Some Australian Perspectives

This paper presents a brief summary of the findings of a Web-based survey of the views of Australian publishers, on the potential impact of digital technologies, followed by three case studies conducted between January and April 2007. The survey results indicate that the most influential technologies currently in use in publishing are the Internet and the World Wide Web, with little or any interest being shown in for example, semantic technologies. There is however, widespread realization of the importance of providing enhanced customer value through digital content and delivery channels, with consequent implications for changes to value chains and the emergence of new and transitional business models, which however, are likely to complement rather than replace existing business models. The case studies drawn from a set of eight selected to include a range of value propositions and business models suggest that in Australia publishers are optimistic about the prospects of digitisation but are nonetheless cautious in its uptake and application.