I have also chosen the publishing industry for my research, because it is facing major changes through the digitization of books. However, eBooks have not yet replaced physical books and they will not likely do so within the next decade. Thinking about it, it is difficult to imagine a future without books. The development of eBooks has been embraced by some and the lower cost of eBooks could work as an incentive for buyers. On the other hand, many people still prefer the qualities of using a physical copy of a book.
However, the development of technologies in the publishing industry and other industries can mean convenience for us, the consumers. One might imagine the time and money that could be saved by putting together one’s personal version of a college textbook instead of having to look for and buy a number of different books. This could be a time when the software makes it easy to find straight away the chapters that we are looking for in an online catalogue and automatically creates a book. And when digital printing technology makes it possible that our book is printed for us on the spot. This would not only be convenient for us, but it would also save publishers money on distribution and stock-keeping. This is what the printing of textbooks might look like in the future.
My research is also engaging with the issue of digital books, but I mainly want to explore what Mass Customization means today within the context of the publishing industry.
Mass Customization of college textbooks could be beneficial to students and lecturers alike.
Newspapers and magazines are already customized, why not college textbooks as well? In my research I want to explore these questions and issues.