(Re-)De-Commodification in Academic Knowledge Distribution

Bibliographic Data

ID21237440
AuthorsMichael Nentwich (0000-0003-2269-0076, Institute of Technology Assessment, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume14
Issue2
Pages21-42
Publication date2001-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScience & Technology Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2243-4690 • E-ISSN: 2243-4690
PublisherScience and Technology Studies (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.23987/sts.55134
OpenAlexW2188771272
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited1

This paper argues that the system of formal scholarly publication is entering its third phase of evolution. This phase has not yet taken full shape, but is characterised by a strong de-commodified core with only niches for commercial publishers – in contrast to phase II which was the age of increasing commodification. The main reasons for this development are economic, functional and ideational. The current economic crisis of academic publishing is driving academia to alternative models. From a functional perspective, the advent of E-publishing makes it possible that academia will take over most of what is currently done by the commercial publishers. Finally, the last decade has seen an increasing awareness of the research community that its products should not be treated as a commodity, but should instead be freely available to the whole community

Academic community · Commodification · Commodity · Economics · Economy · Market economy · Political science · Positive economics · Public relations · Publishing · Social science · Sociology · Business Strategy and Innovation · Computer Science · Digital Platforms and Economics · Economic Theory and Institutions · Law

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