An Analysis of Trends in Digital Book Publishing Amongst Educational Publishers in Kenya: a Case Study of Longhorn Publishers

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the trends in digital book publishing in Kenya with a focus on educational book publishing. The objectives of the study are: to analyze the trends in digital book publishing in the Kenyan educational book publishing industry, to determine how government policies are influencing digital book publishing in Kenya and to explore the Kenyan educational book publishing business environment with regard to digital book publishing. The study uses the theory of diffusion of innovation and the theory of disruptive innovation to explain, predict and help to understand how Kenyan educational publishers are adopting digital book publishing, how they perceive it, their experiences with it and the effect digital book publishing is likely to have on book publishing in Kenya. Chapter three of the study provides a roadmap on how the researcher collected data in order to answer the research questions and achieve the study’s objectives. The study uses descriptive research design to describe and interpret different aspects of digital book publishing relevant to the study and qualitative research approach. Data was collected from the sample case using document analysis and semi-structured interviews. After a thorough data analysis and interpretation, the researcher concluded that Kenyan educational book publishers have adopted most of the trends in digital book publishing which include: eBooks, audiobooks, video animated storybooks, digital distribution channels and self-publishing. They have also put in place strategies that will help them to seize the opportunities presented by digital book publishing, enjoy its benefits, handle challenges it presents and avoid potential problems and threats. The study recommends a review, implementation and heightened monitoring and evaluation of the government policies that are influencing digital book publishing in Kenya. Further, it recommends, that Kenyan publishers should: consider setting up an autonomous business unit to deal exclusively with the digital publishing, recruit staff with the right skills to handle digital publishing and train them appropriately, invest in research and development to be able to understand all aspects of digital publishing hence make informed decisions, keep an eye on audiobooks since its becoming a global trend and improve the accessibility of eBook by consumers through the development of an eReader that is compatible with all the formats of digital books. Finally, the study suggests further research that will involve more publishers as part of the sample size so as to minimize on the generalization of data which may not be true for some publishers when case study research method is used.