From: Sandy Thatcher <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:41:10 -0500

> Remember, it is not only
> large commercial publishers in this game, but I know very reputable
> large university presses that also play in this space.

Yes, but in the latter case, any surpluses made stay within the
academic system and can be used to further benefit higher education.

Sandy Thatcher


> From: Zac Rolnik <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:45:22 -0400
>
> Sandy,
>
> The primary reason societies outsource their journal publishing to
> large commercial publishers is $$$.  Have you ever seen the types of
> offers made by large publishers (both commercial and university
> presses) for large successful journals?  The financial rewards are
> often hard to resist, especially for a society only publishing one or
> two journals where their fixed costs eat up much of the revenue.
> Whether it is the in-house cost of staff at the society, the cost of
> an electronic platform, or the worldwide sales and marketing, I think
> that societies are well aware of the options, costs and revenues
> associated with such deals. But not all deals are the same and
> societies can negotiate deals that include specific pricing
> provisions, guaranteed revenues and attractive revenue sharing,
> editorial control, etc.  When societies look to outsource publication
> they are in the driver's seat and should carefully negotiate their
> agreements.  In many instances, the outsourcing of journals to large
> publications has been good for societies.  Remember, it is not only
> large commercial publishers in this game, but I know very reputable
> large university presses that also play in this space.
>
> Zac Rolnik
> now publishers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sandy Thatcher <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:46:49 -0500
>
> It does seem odd that societies would outsource their journal
> publishing to large commercial publishers because they can be assured
> in advance (1) that the prices will go way up,  (2) fewer individuals
> will be able to afford to subscribe to them, and (3) any profits made
> will not redound to the benefit of academic research since they will
> go to pay shareholders or be used to grow the size of the company
> further so as to  increase its market share.  Why do scholars complain
> about commercial journal practices and then turn around and allow
> their societies to help those companies profit even further at the
> expense of academe?
>
> Sandy Thatcher