[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Leaving the Emerald City

I know nothing about Emerald Press beyond what appeared in Ted Bergstom's post and the earlier thread initiated by Phil Davis, so my questions are put in the abstract: Does anyone know if the Journal of Economic Studies is profitable? Is the reputed high price a function of a small customer base (few sales over which to amortize costs)? Would a lower price bring in many more customers, allowing for broader amortization and, theoretically, a lower price?

Of course, it is entirely possible that this is an instance of price-gouging pure and simple, but in the absence of the answers to my questions above, I don't see how anyone can know if the price is in or out of bounds.

Joe Esposito

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ted Bergstrom" <tedb@econ.ucsb.edu>
To: <liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 5:11 PM
Subject: Leaving the Emerald City

Max Steuer, a respected English economist has recently resigned as editor of the Journal of Economic Studies, which is published by Emerald Press. This journal and its sister publication the International Journal of Social Economics, are the most expensive journals in economics. These journals are highly obscure and not even included in the ISI social science citation list, yet each costs about 3 times as much as the next most expensive economics journal.

Professor Steuer, who has been editor for about a year, had not paid attention to "the business end of the journal" when he agreed to be editor. When he was informed of the JES pricing policy and of Phil Davis's discoveries of Emerald's article republication practices, he asked for an audience with the publisher. Emerald was not able to give him a satisfactory explanation for its practices and he resigned.

In his letter, Professor Steuer says that

"I resigned from editing the Journal of Economic Studies on 6
January 2006. Shortly before that date, it was suggested to me that
the financial policy of the journal is inconsistent with the culture
and practices of the academic community. It was careless of me not
to look into this before taking on the job. I simply assumed
that the fees charged and other aspects of policy were
roughly in line with academic conventions. This turns out not
to be the case."

Professor Steuer has given me permission to distribute his letter as I like. I attach a copy of the full text below. You can find some more information about Emerald's practices at the following location.
http://www.econ.ucsb.edu/%7Etedb/Journals/emeraldroad.html

Cheers,
Ted

Here is the text of Professor Steuer's letter.

********

15 February 2006

You may want to know that I resigned from editing the Journal of Economic Studies on 6 January 2006. Shortly before that date it was suggested to me that the financial policy of the journal is inconsistent with the culture and practices of the academic community. It was careless of me not to look into this before taking on the job. I simply assumed that the fees charged and other aspects of policy were roughly in line with academic conventions. This turns out not to be the case.

On the 6th of January I met with a representative of Emerald Publications to discuss the position. I wanted to be sure of the position, and if possible to affect a change in policy. It was clear that the pricing policy was and is very different from that of many well-known economic s journals. In particular, the current price of =A36,000 plus vat for six copies is far out of line. It was also clear from our discussion that no change in policy was to be forthcoming. As we know, the contributors and referees of academic journals are on the whole not paid and regard taking on work, particularly refereeing, as part of being members of a scholarly community. I feel badly at having asked many people to devote time to the journal. Incidentally, any pending communications should be sent to Simon Linacre at Slinacre@emeraldinsight.com - and not to me.

The policy of the Journal of Economic Studies is not determined
by the Board of the journal, but by the owners. It could be
argued that if authors wish to contribute, referees are prepared
to act, an editor can be found for a nominal fee, the profits and
long-run prospects of the journal are of no concern. To make that
argument, at a minimum it is essential that the participants in
the journal's activities are aware of the policy, and are not
encouraged to assume that it is run in a manner consistent with
academic conventions and culture. Whether many institutions would
subscribe, or scholars would like to submit papers, or undertake
other work for the journal under conditions of full disclosure,
will probably never be tested. The journal official was open with
consider their positions.

I am sorry that I cannot write individually to the many authors, Board members, referees and colleagues who have helped me over the past year. The experience leaves a bitter taste, but contains a number of gratifying memories.

Max Steuer