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You will critically explore the way in which publishing has developed as an industry from the time of the creation of the first printing press until the present day to contextualise the business and management structures of the industry. You will examine the size, structure, and organisation of different contemporary publishing sectors. You will learn about different publishing business models and other management theories to examine the internal structures of large and small publishing companies as well as their position in the wider media sector. Further, you will reflect on the impact of digitisation on the publishing industry and how these disruptions together with different business models affect the dynamics between publishers, authors, retailers, and various other stakeholders. Lastly, you will examine the broader societal, political, ethical, and regulatory contexts of the publishing industry and learn about the importance of intellectual property rights in an evolving multinational and multimedia context.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

LO1: Critically reflect on the development of publishing as an industry, publishing as part of mass media, and its publishing’s cultural and commercial relevance.
LO2: Examine the impact of technological change and globalisation on the functions performed within and out with publishing companies.
LO3: Critically evaluate business models in publishing.
LO4: Analyse the commercial context and legal environment of publishing and the inter-relationship with culture, politics, and society.
LO5: Apply critical analysis and research skills to evaluate the contemporary developments and their impact on publishing businesses.