Economics of journal publication

The publisher of primary journals faces the problem of how to continue to pay the costs of publishing in the face of a steadily expanding flow of literature, particularly the trend toward specialization. The former tends to add to his costs, while the latter tends to reduce the number of those willing to share the cost of publication. As new publications become more specialized in character and content, they tend to approach highly individualized information systems. It also becomes more difficult to maintain interdisciplinary contact. The resultant problems are significant to all concerned. It seems clear that the economics of the situation is going to be a decisive factor in reaching ultimate solutions. Whether we find new ways to support primary journals or seek to finance the dissemination of primary information by developing new methods of distribution will depend largely on how well we use our creative abilities to analyze our needs and to provide the answers.