Publishing Journal ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (5): 55-66.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Causes of Position Solidification and Upgrading Paths in the Digital Publishing Value Chain of Educational Publishers

  

  1. School of Journalism, Fudan University

  • Received:2025-01-14 Revised:2025-06-24 Online:2025-10-14 Published:2025-10-14

Abstract:

Drawing on the theoretical logic of new structural economics, which emphasizes “comparative advantage in determining development paths”, this study conducts in-depth interviews and data analysis of 45 educational publishing enterprises to examine the causes of position solidification in the digital publishing value chain and possible upgrading paths. The findings indicate that publishers are situated in three distinct stages of the value chain :“embedded”,“expansion”, and “leading”. Most publishers face upgrading dilemmas within their respective stages due to weak endogenous capacity, limited capital surplus, and insufficient R&D investment. In contrast, some publishers with similar factor endowment structures have achieved staged breakthroughs, primarily by developing dynamic capabilities in collaborative decision-making, user analysis, and supply-demand coordination.

Key words:

Educational publishing ,  , Digital publishing  , Value chain  , Industry upgrading , New structural economics

CLC Number: