Mediation and disintermediation in the digital environment: new roles in the ebook chain

Abstract

The editorial function has been characterized by a strong systems component, in the sense that all chain elements are closely interrelated in a necessary concatenation. The emergence of digital technologies has led to a breakdown of this logical structure, altering traditional mediation and intermediation systems and allowing the disappearance of some essential elements. Thus, roles such as the publisher or distributor, essential elements in an analog environment, may disappear in some of the models that are being generated. In line with this, new business models are also emerging and new actors in this field, with concurrent advantages which their previous experiences allow them. Amazon, Apple and Google are taking a strong position in the electronic book market.