Global Shifts in Printed Book and E-Book Publishing

The publishing industry globally is experiencing a profound transformation, driven by the pervasive influence of digital technologies, which have fundamentally altered established practices and meanings within the sector (Djamfa, 2024). This paradigm shift encompasses everything from content creation and dissemination to consumption patterns and economic models, challenging traditional print-centric frameworks (Gaigher et al., 2014). This evolution is further propelled by advancements ranging from sophisticated digital communication systems to emergent generative artificial intelligence, reshaping the entire value chain of the book sector (Salani & Tapfuma, 2025). The impact of these technological shifts necessitates a re-evaluation of editorial functions, particularly in regions where the role of books is not yet clearly defined, such as many African countries, despite rapid digital penetration in other cultural industries (Djamfa, 2024). This widespread digital integration, exemplified by the increased accessibility of the internet and electronic devices, has created new avenues for content delivery and consumption, allowing for rapid communication across vast geographical distances (Vambe, 2017). This digital transformation has led to a significant restructuring of the traditional publishing industry, compelling established entities to adapt their strategies to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace (Zhang, 2023). This evolution is particularly evident in the Spanish publishing industry, which underwent significant changes between 2000 and 2018 in response to technological advancements and the adoption of new digital environments (Díaz & García, 2020). This era, characterized by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, has initiated a dialectical discourse on the benefits, ethical implications, and potential risks of AI tools in academic and scientific publishing, particularly in paper writing and the review process (Carobene et al., 2023). Generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, have demonstrated capabilities comparable to or even exceeding human writers in generating academic content, thereby introducing new complexities regarding authorship, ownership, and integrity within scholarly communication (Ali & Djalilian, 2023; Lund et al., 2024).