Electronic publishing: assessing opportunities and risks

This paper investigates the opportunities and risks of entering the electro nic publishing business. It uses the case of a medium-sized German publishe r 'Rentrop Publishing' to analyse the issues. After a brief review of the f irm's business, its corporate philosophy, products and core competencies, t he challenge of entering Electronic Publishing is examined from three stand points - the timing of entry, the value-chain activities to be included, an d product design. The paper concludes by considering the opportunities and risks and provides a set of guidelines for potential entrants to this marke t. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.