Hi Arie,
Thanks for your questions.
Yes, I am suggesting a model where services are designed for different stakeholders and they pay for them.
Your question (why would publishers do this) is good and I often hear it. My answer is this: the margins publishers enjoy today are under pressure, especially from policy makers and customers. Eventually, this pressure will win.
So, as a publisher, what to do? Wait, milk and delay change for as long as possible? Or move first, grabbing a PR bonus and a head start on the competition?
Now, to your second question. Readers. In an unbundled world, I can see three types of reader. The largest group with be individuals who are satisfied with the free, read-only version; they pay nothing. The next largest group will
be those at large institutions (universities, companies etc) and their employer might purchase premium versions, on annual subscription, on their behalf because there is value in the utility of the premium features. Then there will be some who need the utility
of the premium versions but are not at a subscribing institution - they will pay-as-they-go (like buying a book today).
Best,
Toby
Toby Green
Public Affairs and Communications Directorate
OECD
Winner The Academic and Professional Publisher Award
2017
From: Ari Belenkiy <
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Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2017 00:16:03 -0700
Toby,
Did I miss something: you suggest to pay for every item separately, like airlines do for our breakfasts and suitcases?
Why would the publisher reduce prices for reading individual articles? Whom do you bundle us, readers, with?
Ari Belenkiy
Vancouver BC
Canada