A Legal Framework for Adopting Electronic Publishing by Educational Publishers in KenyaKogos, Angella; Kwanya, Tom; Mbenge-Ndiku, Tabitha
doi: 10.1007/s12109-026-10067-7pmid: N/A
The publishing industry in Kenya is being disrupted by the adoption of electronic publishing. As a disruptive technology, electronic publishing brings with it regulatory challenges since existing regulatory frameworks were intended to manage print publishing. This qualitative study was conducted using document analysis and interviews. Data was collected from 15 educational publishers in the country and representatives of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. The objective of the study was to investigate relevant laws and their implications on electronic publishing in the country and identify the key challenges, policy gaps, and enforcement limitations. The findings of the study showed that the existing laws have catalysed the adoption of electronic publishing by educational publishers in Kenya. However, some laws such as the existing Copyright Act, Books and Newspapers Act, and data protection and data privacy laws have not been effectively enforced by the publishers in Kenya. The study recommends the setting up of a regulatory sand box to enable industry regulators to test and refine the regulation in a live controlled environment. Although the study involved a relatively small sample, this does not undermine its validity, as legal frameworks are inherently contextual and operate within specific national or institutional environments. A robust legal framework will encourage investment in new innovations such as e-publishing as well as protect consumers of eBooks and eLearning platforms while setting and enforcing industry standards for quality assurance.
Correlation Between Socio-Political Events and the Literary Publishing Landscape Between 2010–2024Dobolyi, Kinga; Chuenarrom, Petra; Ambush, Marcell
doi: 10.1007/s12109-026-10054-ypmid: N/A
A relatively small set of literary agents and publishers are often responsible for the majority of mass-market fiction and non-fiction produced and consumed in the United States. Various factors influence such agents and editors in which authors and books they choose to sign, purchase, and market, including personal tastes and sensitivity to potential sales. In this work, we investigate if, and how, the major socio-political events between 2010 and 2024 affected what kinds of books agents were looking to champion, what books publishers acquired, and, ultimately, what books became popular. Using statistical analyses and machine learning, we analyzed publicly available agent wishlists, book deal blurbs, and popular book lists to measure changes over time in the topics, themes, and voices these authors and books represent. Despite the variance in self-reported agent tastes, we found a strong correlation between the themes of certain socio-political events and topics appearing in agent profiles and book blurbs over the time period of our study.
Environmental Sustainability in Publishing: A Conceptual Framework for Eco-TransformationKrainikova, Tetiana; Vodolazka, Svitlana; Ryzhko, Olena; Zelinska, Anastasiia
doi: 10.1007/s12109-026-10062-ypmid: N/A
The article develops a framework for environmental sustainability of publishing, building on the E-pillar of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) approach to address industry-specific challenges. The study (May–October 2025) is based on a comparative analysis, content analysis, and thematic synthesis of 52 corporate documents (sustainability reports, ESG reports, website materials, 2021–2025) from ten leading global publishing houses: Bertelsmann, Hachette Livre, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and others. It also provides an in-depth analysis of 21 documented cases of their sustainable practices. Through inductive coding and clustering, a framework for environmental sustainability in publishing was developed, comprising four components: (1) value and communication; (2) operations; (3) production and technology; (4) ecosystem. This theoretically grounded framework systematizes and conceptualizes the eco-transformation strategies used by industry leaders in multinational enterprises. For publishers and industry associations, the framework provides a diagnostic tool for assessing environmental maturity, planning stages of eco-transformation, benchmarking (comparing types of practices), and a basis for forming business strategies and communications with stakeholders. For researchers, the framework offers a unified analytical matrix that enables comparisons of eco-transformation models both within the publishing industry and across the broader field of creative industries. The framework overcomes the fragmentation of existing approaches, creating a basis for further ESG conceptualization of the publishing industry.
The Changing Publishing Workflow and Issues in Navigating Digital Transformation: Case Studies of Two Malaysian University PressesThevadas, Rathidevi; Abdullah, Fadli
doi: 10.1007/s12109-026-10068-6pmid: N/A
Technological advancement has transformed the book publishing industry. In the context of academic sector, the adaptation towards digital technologies among the key players are evident. The publishing processes and workflows adopted by university presses, including commercial academic publishers, are now moving to digital focused and with the emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, some see this as opportunities that could be beneficial. Through case studies of two Malaysian university presses, this study gives insights into how they responded to digital transformation by concentrating on the changing publishing workflows and institutional strategies, alongside the challenges encountered. The findings revealed the ongoing efforts implemented by both university presses in transforming their operation and publishing workflow to adapt to the fast-changing digital environment. However, the extent and pace of adaptation differ between the two presses. The findings also highlighted several structural and organisational challenges, particularly limited expertise, staff readiness, financial constraints, and issues of piracy. This study strengthens existing literature by giving insights into Malaysian context, filling important gaps in academic publishing research.
Braille for Children’s Books: A Multiscript, Bilingual, Illustrated Case StudyForget, Ellen
doi: 10.1007/s12109-026-10056-wpmid: N/A
This case study focuses on the comparison of braille and non-braille editions of a bilingual, illustrated children’s book. Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Luby, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, and translated by Alvin Ted Corbiere and Alan Corbiere was published by Groundwood Books in 2021, and it is a bilingual book in Anishinaabemowin and English. This case study analyzes how the different textual and illustrative elements interact on the page, as there are two languages, two scripts, and multiple types of illustrations used throughout the book. This article also examines the material differences between the formats and how those differences might affect accessibility and the reading experience. This case study serves as an example for how to examine accessibility in contemporary books and for indie publishers.