An electronic shock

Abstract

PurposeReviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsIn an era of constant change, few industries are immune to the might of technological advancement. Even those fiercely determined to uphold tradition are eventually forced to succumb. Book publishing is one such sector. Ever since the printing press was invented back in the fifteenth century, it has remained the dominant mode of production. Publishing houses have invariably called the shots during this time, with little threat to established norms. How times have altered. The last few years have heralded the arrival of electronic reading devices, which threaten to transform the industry to an extent probably never before envisaged. Apple reports selling around 30 million iPads since launch in 2010, while the success of Amazon's Kindle has been equally spectacular. Sales of e‐books have already overtaken hardbacks in the USA and the gap should widen further as devices become more sophisticated.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Social implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that can have a broader social impact.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.