Electronic publishing: assessing opportunities and risks

摘要

This paper investigates the opportunities and risks of entering the electronic publishing business. It uses the case of a medium-sized German publisher `Rentrop Publishing’ to analyse the issues. After a brief review of the firm's business, its corporate philosophy, products and core competencies, the challenge of entering Electronic Publishing is examined from three standpoints — the timing of entry, the value-chain activities to be included, and product design. The paper concludes by considering the opportunities and risks and provides a set of guidelines for potential entrants to this market.