Re: <SOAPBOX>high cost of journals </SOAPBOX>

[Phil Parker <PPARKER@TWSUVM.UC.TWSU.EDU>]

> Date:    Fri, 25 Jun 1999 13:02:21 -0500
> From:    Michael Moloney <moloney@NEXTWORK.ROSE-HULMAN.EDU>
>
> <SOAPBOX>
> Print journals cost a great deal in 'typesetting', printing, binding and
> mailing.  This and a
> limited subscription list leads to $7000 a year subscription prices, which
> includes some
> unknown profit margin for folks like Elsevier.
In a prospectus for potential investors 5-7 years ago, Elsevier claimed
over 30% then and was predicting that figure to increase.  They were
marketing their captive audience, explicitly stating that positioning
themselves as *THE* definitive authority (journal) allowed them to
charge a hefty premium  above the "normal" market rate expected.
   Only Gordon&Breach ranks higher on academic hit-lists.

   Phil Parker

--------------------------------------------
URL http://www.math.twsu.edu/Faculty/Parker/
Random quote for this second:
  I profoundly believe it takes a lot of practice to become a
  moral slob.---William F. Buckley