How Digital Book Formats Has Been Used In the Publishing Industry - Term Paper Example

Research How Digital Book Formats Has Been Used In the Publishing Industry Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 0. Introduction 3 2.0. Background of Digital Formats 4 2.1. Overview of Digital Formats in Publishing Sector 4 2.2. Contents and Use of Digital Formats 5 3.0. Impact of Using Digital Books Format in Publishing Industry 7 4.0. Reasons for Considering Digital Book Format as Disruptive Innovation 9 5.0. Conclusion 10 References 11 1.0. Introduction The concept of digitalisation has changed significantly over the years owing to the advancement of technology along with the development of society. With the advent of digitalisation, it has made its place in every sector of society. This aspect can also be seen as apparent within the help of literatures and journals that were published in this context. Traditionally, the academic libraries have played an important role in providing the academic support to the learning and research communities. With the changing time the need and demand of the customers with regard reading text and literature has changed significantly. Presently, the advent of digitalisation in the academic domain has taken people one step closer to the technological developments that is taking place. Technology such as internet and digital publications has largely paved the way for the same (Vassiliou & Rowley, 2008). The use of electronic resources has become quite cheaper and convenient, which has further encouraged scholars and professionals towards adopting digital means as a source of information. Various libraries and other academic users are using electronic resources of information for conducting low level researches along with enhancing their knowledge about a particular subject matter (Li, 2013). In this context, the principal intention of this particular study is to determine the prospect of digitalisation within the publishing industry. The study has also evaluated about the varieties in digital book format, which are recognised to be important for the publishing industry. Apart from this the study will also describe and evaluate the numerous reasons of selecting digital book formats as a disruptive innovation. 2.0. Background of Digital Formats The concept of digitalisation is considered to be one of the most important innovations within the academic industry. Bob Brown is recognised to be the father of digital e-book formats. In the year of 1930, Brown has implemented the concept of digital formats to a certain extent. After the innovation of digital formats in the book publishing industry, the printing book formats has become more and less eliminated. Moreover, the digital innovation is recognised to be more important for the book publishing industry (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). 2.1. Overview of Digital Formats in Publishing Sector The concept of electronic books and journals has been prevailing for a long time in the present day scenario. Books published in digital formats are deemed to attract people in a considerable manner especially amid the youth of the present day world. Some of the most vital formats of electronic books and works include PDF’s, e-books and others. These types of books can be readable on computer and several other electronic devices, which is quite convenient and cheaper with regard to traditional means. More specifically, the digital e-books are famous as an electronic version of printed books. However, there are large numbers of books that are presented without having any printed version. Apparently, the e-readers are the prime customers of the commercial produces and e- books (Bain & Company, Inc., 2011). As per the contemporary context, there is huge interest amid the publishing companies in converting the paper books as well as writing new titles in to digital format. At the initial stage of digitalisation in publishing industry, the printed paper books were converted in to digital formats. However, as per recent trend, publishers are launching electronic books by introducing digitising process (Rudiger Wischenbart, 2015). It is believed that in the recent more than 20% of the publishing sector has been driven by the electronic formats owing to the various advantages associated with the same, which will be discussed in the later section of the paper. 2.2. Contents and Use of Digital Formats There is widespread use of digital formats within the publishing sector and the same has been extensively embedded owing to the aspect that it attracts customers of the present day in a comprehensive manner. The most recent wave in the publishing industry depicts the emergence of electronic book or e-book. In this regard, the emergence of e-book is considered as a major basis of greatest transformation of the long established publishing industry. It has also been stated that e-book and e-reader devices are regarded as necessary tools for publishers in order to implement the digital strategies (Rüdiger Wischenbart). Some of the most commonly used electronic formats include EPUB format, AZW format, LIT format, PDF format and ODF format within the digital domain (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). The description of the use of each of the concept is depicted hereunder. EPUB Format and Use: It is an electronic book format, which is an open format design. The format of EPUB has been designed by e-book forum known as the International Digital Publishing Forum. The EPUB format is a combination of two types of digital paper format including XHTML and XML (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). The prime intention with regard to the invention of this particular format is to enables users to access it in a very easy manner. There are a large number of examples of digital book format, which further include abode digital edition, quick reader as well as fire fox add on among others. The devices, which are useful for accessing this kind of files include iPad, Kobo Readers, Sony Reader, iPhone, iPod Touch and many more (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). AZW Format and Use: They are better known as Amazon format, which is exclusively used on the particular devices name Amazon Kindle. Basically, the AZW is recognised to be a Mobile Pocket Reader (MOBI) format of electronic book. Apart from this, the AZW format is also accessible in the presence of smart phones such as android phones, iPhones as well as blackberry among others. LIT Format and Use: The LIT is another kind of digital or electronic book format, which is being used in an extensive manner in the present day scenario (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). This format has been developed by Microsoft reader software. PDF Format and Use: The Portable Document Format (PDF) is one of the most widely used format of e-documents that is prevalent in an extensive manner altogether. This format was introduces by Adobe for its Acrobat products. For example, the Adobe’s PDF is recognising to be one of the important digital book formats for every e-reader. The prime reason for considering it as one of the vital book formats since as every e-reader can access and use it to gain information in a simplistic manner with little complexity. Again for instance, during the academic research process most of the scholars prefer PDF format to collect evidence for their research (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). PDF refers to be most common and preferable format for every author as well as publisher. More specifically, most of the publishers are suggested authors for using their manuscripts as a ready to print PDF format. The authors are suggested not to use freeware during the creation of PDF file. The use of PDFs also relates with their contribution towards strengthening security of documents and literary works. In terms of security the PDF format is recognised to be most trusted format for the every person (Soule & et. al., 2007). PDF formats are also used for distributing the file to the iBook authors for selling in the most secure format. Therefore, PDF is an easily accessible format that can be used in mobile. It recognised as multifunctional formats that can be highly useful during the selling of books. This process is recognised to be more useful for the better use of technology. Moreover, it is also apparent from secondary studies that PDF format is used as a manuscript which is among the main formats for preparing books. PDF format is easily creatable as well as it can decreases the file size. So, it can be depicted that the PDF format is useful for publishing industry for preparing new books. Currently, most of the publishers are selling their books through online by converting the books into PDF format. Presently, the selling of books in online basis is getting easier than the traditional way of selling (Aptara New Media, 2011). ODF Format and Use: The Open Document Format (ODF) is an XML based file format and it is also quite popular as an e-printing domain. It is mainly use in the domain of online publishing and media (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). 3.0. Impact of Using Digital Books Format in Publishing Industry In the modern era, the transformation of book publishing from paper print to digital print is seen as a revolutionary change within the book publishing industry. In the initial stages, the concept of digitalisation has raised many complexities. Due to the implementation of digitalisation, the electronic books segment is becoming more popular all over the world (Rüdiger Wischenbart, 2015). It can be stated that the advent of digitalisation is recognised to be more significant for the customers as well as for the publishing industry at large (Gall, 2005). Contextually, it can also be stated that the technological innovation in the book publishing industry has built up a strong bonding among national as well as linguistic border. However, the transformation of paper printing book business in to digitalisation has also had a negative impact over the value chain of traditional book publishing industry (Lai & Chang, 2010). More specifically, it can be stated that during the implementation of digitalisation in book publishing industry, the concept has faced with large number of challenges within the industry. In this context, the industry has dealt with huge loss with the establishment of this new technology (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). However, it can also be stated that digitalisation in the book publishing industry has brought a large number of transformation. In this regard, the economic transformation is considered to be one of the most important as well as positive changes within the publishing industry (Vassiliou & Rowley, 2008). However, post implementation of the innovation of digitalisation in publishing industry; the sector has become highly dependent over the same, which is quite negative to an extent (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). It is also observed that digitalisation has increasing the trading rate of books from the past two decades (Li, 2013). Based on a verity of research, it can be depicted that post invention of e-books or digital devices, the book publishing industry has made leap towards increasing rate of trading. In this regard, several companies have initiated the approach of providing variety of books to the consumers comparatively lower in price. In this regard, Amazon has ensured a revolutionary impact within the industry by producing e-Reader, which is easier to use when compared to the traditional means. Apart from that the concept of e-reader has also supported the customers by enabling them towards making easy purchase of wide verity of books at competitive prices (PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2015). 4.0. Reasons for Considering Digital Book Format as Disruptive Innovation The term ‘disruptive innovation’ is regarded as an innovation, which is helpful to build a value network as well as new markets for a particular industry. The prime intention of the concept of disruptive innovation is to eliminate the existing market as well as value networks through replacing an earlier technology. The term disruptive innovation has been coined by Clayton Christensen. In this regard, the term describes about a process through which products or services starts its journey from production to creation to market position in course of time (Christensen, 1997). Disruptive innovation is recognised to be one of the most important factors as well as also useful for the content business. In this regards the invention of digitalisation in the book publishing industry has improved the book accessing facilities by the several people. Readers as well as academic scholars are the key beneficial due to this disruptive innovation. It has become easier to all the scholars to get a book very easily. Contextually, accessing of eBooks is becoming easier as well as convenient for the several people. Through the internet connection people facilitated to access the digital books very easily. The economic benefits associated with the same also play a role of high priority. There are twelve potentially economically disruptive technologies, which is helpful in creating more market shares for the digital book format. The use of mobile internet is recognised as a vital reason of considering digital book format among large base of customers. From the past decades, the use of internet as portable devices has become more famous especially while using the same in academic research. The prime reason for considering digitalisation in publishing as a disruptive innovation is because of the fact that it has eliminated the traditional book format. Notably, after the innovation of digital book format, people prefer online book or article reading over other since it is cheaper and saves times as well. In this regard, the trading of e-books thorough ecommerce has reduces the sale of traditional paper books at large. The fact that the innovation of digital formats has made access to book and literature quite cheaper and convenient further can be depicted as a disruptive innovation. It is notable that e-books can be easily assessable for the users from any part of the world with the involvement of less cost that buying a traditional printed books (Hodges et. al., 2010). Wider availability of e-books, which is more or less absent in case of traditional printed books, has also ensured utmost convenience for the readers at large (Christensen, 1997). 5.0. Conclusion From the overall study, the invention of digitalisation in the book publishing industry has brought significant development within the sector can be apparently discussed. During the initial stage of innovation of digitalisation in the book publishing industry, the sector faced major challenges. Notably, people living in contemporary scenario are more preferable towards technological means rather than traditional means at the time of acquiring academic support. It can also be stated that technological innovation in the academic field makes people more advanced by providing advanced as well as accurate information to the customers. It has also been observed that there are six types of digital book format, which enables the customer as well as reader to get access to wide range of information during academic research. Hence, it can be concluded from the above situation that the innovation of digitalisation in the book publishing industry has certainly ensured positive results for the overall sector at large. References Aptara New Media, 2011. Uncovering eBooks’ Real Impact. Aptara Survey, pp. 1-40. Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008. EPUB Industry-Standard File Format for Digital Reflow able Publications. Datasheet, pp. 1-2. Bain & Company, Inc., 2011. Publishing in the Digital Era. A Bain & Company Study for the Forum d’Avignon.pp. 1-20. Christensen, C., 1997. The Innovators Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail. Harvard Business Press. Carreiro, E., 2010. Electronic Books: How Digital Devices and Supplementary New Technologies are changing the Face of the Publishing Industry. Publisher Request, Vol.26, pp. 219-235. Gall, J.E., 2005. Dispelling Five Myths about E-books. Information Technology and Libraries, pp. 25-31. Gibson, C. & Gibb, F., 2010. An Evaluation of Second-Generation Ebook Readers. The Electronic Library Vol. 29 No. 3, pp.303-319. Hippel, E. V., 1976. The Dominant Role of Users in the Scientific Instrument innovation process, Research Policy, Vol. 5, pp. 212-239. Hodges, D. et. al., 2010. Resolving the Challenge of E-Books. Collection Management, Vol. 35, No. 3 & 4, pp. 196-200. Li, H., 2013. The Impact of Ebooks on Print Book Sales: Cannibalization and Market Expansion. Ebook, pp. 1-47. Lai, J-Y. & Chang, C-Y., 2010. User Attitudes toward Dedicated E-Book Readers for Reading the Effects of Convenience, Compatibility and Media Richness. National Chung Hsing University, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp.558-580. PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2015. Turning the Page the Future of eBooks. Technology, Media & Telecommunications, pp.1-34. Rüdiger Wischenbart, 2015. Global eBook A Report on Market Trends and Development. The Global eBook Report, pp.1-154. Soule, D.P. J. & et. al., 2007. Publishing in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Writing for Scholarly Journals, pp. 1-51. Vassiliou, M. & Rowley, J., 2008. Progressing the Definition of “e-book”. Library Hi Tech, Vol. 26, No. 3, pp.355-368. Read More

Books published in digital formats are deemed to attract people in a considerable manner especially amid the youth of the present day world. Some of the most vital formats of electronic books and works include PDF’s, e-books and others. These types of books can be readable on computer and several other electronic devices, which is quite convenient and cheaper with regard to traditional means. More specifically, the digital e-books are famous as an electronic version of printed books. However, there are large numbers of books that are presented without having any printed version.

Apparently, the e-readers are the prime customers of the commercial produces and e- books (Bain & Company, Inc., 2011). As per the contemporary context, there is huge interest amid the publishing companies in converting the paper books as well as writing new titles in to digital format. At the initial stage of digitalisation in publishing industry, the printed paper books were converted in to digital formats. However, as per recent trend, publishers are launching electronic books by introducing digitising process (Rudiger Wischenbart, 2015).

It is believed that in the recent more than 20% of the publishing sector has been driven by the electronic formats owing to the various advantages associated with the same, which will be discussed in the later section of the paper. 2.2. Contents and Use of Digital Formats There is widespread use of digital formats within the publishing sector and the same has been extensively embedded owing to the aspect that it attracts customers of the present day in a comprehensive manner. The most recent wave in the publishing industry depicts the emergence of electronic book or e-book.

In this regard, the emergence of e-book is considered as a major basis of greatest transformation of the long established publishing industry. It has also been stated that e-book and e-reader devices are regarded as necessary tools for publishers in order to implement the digital strategies (Rüdiger Wischenbart). Some of the most commonly used electronic formats include EPUB format, AZW format, LIT format, PDF format and ODF format within the digital domain (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). The description of the use of each of the concept is depicted hereunder.

EPUB Format and Use: It is an electronic book format, which is an open format design. The format of EPUB has been designed by e-book forum known as the International Digital Publishing Forum. The EPUB format is a combination of two types of digital paper format including XHTML and XML (Adobe Systems Incorporated, 2008). The prime intention with regard to the invention of this particular format is to enables users to access it in a very easy manner. There are a large number of examples of digital book format, which further include abode digital edition, quick reader as well as fire fox add on among others.

The devices, which are useful for accessing this kind of files include iPad, Kobo Readers, Sony Reader, iPhone, iPod Touch and many more (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). AZW Format and Use: They are better known as Amazon format, which is exclusively used on the particular devices name Amazon Kindle. Basically, the AZW is recognised to be a Mobile Pocket Reader (MOBI) format of electronic book. Apart from this, the AZW format is also accessible in the presence of smart phones such as android phones, iPhones as well as blackberry among others.

LIT Format and Use: The LIT is another kind of digital or electronic book format, which is being used in an extensive manner in the present day scenario (Gibson & Gibb, 2010). This format has been developed by Microsoft reader software. PDF Format and Use: The Portable Document Format (PDF) is one of the most widely used format of e-documents that is prevalent in an extensive manner altogether. This format was introduces by Adobe for its Acrobat products. For example, the Adobe’s PDF is recognising to be one of the important digital book formats for every e-reader.

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