Organizational Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electronic Publishing Among Book and Journal Publishers in Kenya

Abstract

This study examined organizational factors influencing the adoption of e-publishing amongbook and journal publishers in Kenya. Using descriptive survey design and stratified randomsampling, data was collected from 20 publishing firms using questionnaires, personalinterviews, and content analysis of their websites. The research findings revealed thatmajority of the respondent firms were engaged in the e-publishing activities of onlineproduction, distribution, marketing, sales and customer service. Very few publishers havefully adopted e-book or e-journal publishing technologies and even though the majority ofthose which have adopted these technologies have their e-publications in Portable DocumentFile format. Organizational factors influencing the adoption of e-publishing among therespondent firms were; existence of innovation champions, availability of funds and marketdemands for e-publications. Yeas in existence, staff sizes and threat of competition fromother publishers were not considered significant influencing factors. The major challenges tothe adoption of e-publishing in Kenya are; high implementation cost of e-publishing, lack orhigh cost of electricity, inadequate awareness of the existence and use of e-resources and lowInternet skills among potential customers. Resistance by both authors and readers, fears ofpiracy and low market demands for e-publications were identified as impediments to thesuccess of e-publishing in Kenya. The researchers recommend that Kenyan publishers shouldbe more proactive so as to embrace e-book technology, reliable security codes to counterpiracy are used. Mass media should play a key role in disseminating information on theoperations, advantages and attributes of e-publishing. The Government of Kenya through theMinistry of Education should provide computers to public schools. The government shouldexpand Internet access and electricity supply especially in rural areas. Local publishersshould devise mechanisms for partnerships with foreign publishers who have successfullyembraced e-publishing technologies

(1) (PDF) Organizational Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electronic Publishing Among Book and Journal Publishers in Kenya. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317718826_Organizational_Factors_Influencing_the_Adoption_of_Electronic_Publishing_Among_Book_and_Journal_Publishers_in_Kenya [accessed May 17 2024].