Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Role Of The Publisher In The Dissemination Of Knowledge, Gordon B. Neavill

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

In literate societies, publication is a major mode of the dissemination of knowledge. Far from being a neutral middleman in this process, the publisher influences both the production and consumption of intellectual works. The publisher forms an important part of the institutional setting in which authorship takes place. By commis- sioning authors to write some works, and through his influence at the editorial stage, the publisher influences the content of what is written. The publisher acts as a gatekeeper, determining which works will be made avail- able to the public. He oversees the reproduction of works in multiple copies, determining …