1. Open Access and the implications for a developing country
Anna-Marie Arnold
UNISA – Annual Research Symposium, 3 May 2007

2. May 2007 - 2007 Annual Research Symposium - A Arnold
Outline
Introduction
Scholarly publication and OA
Scholarly journals and the profit motive
The publishing process
Some concerns regarding OA
OA and developing countries
The North-South Divide & Digital Divide
Conclusion
May Annual Research Symposium - A Arnold

3. Introduction Development of the Internet & WWW
Explosion in information content available online
Exchange of information content stimulates new ideas, innovation and benefits the economy of a country
Industrial competitiveness - strongly dependent on available relevant information

4. Scholarly publication and OA
The publication of research results in scholarly journals and scientific communication
Interconnectivity and OA initiative
Research literature is not written for profit but for the advancement of science; funded by public money; is a public good and should be accessible; free online copies and in most cases no licensing restrictions

5. Scholarly journals and the profit motive
Fastest-growing media sub-sector of the past 15 years
Subscription prices increased between 1986 and 2002 by 227%
Estimated between 20,000 to 24,000 globally
One-third published by associations
One-sixth published by universities
84% of top 50 journals in ISI published by non-profit publishers; 77% of the top 100; 74% of the top 200

6. The Publishing Process
OA publishing similar processes
Digital archiving and future access
No economic benefit – uncertainties
Need to regulate this movement - for example in the UK
Concerns – sustainable and secure archiving; sustainable production; ensuring high quality; editing without financial considerations; research verification; entirely dependent on government or other sources for funding.

7. OA and developing countries
Only 11 % of world population has access to the Internet
Existing publishing model for OA not yet proven to be sustainable
How secure is the archiving model of OA journal publishing?
Impact on local publishing houses
Benefits growth of Internet and transnational organisations (ITU)

8. North-South Divide (& Digital Divide)
Technocratic approach and information dependence of developing countries
Structural inequalities and telecommunication access to societies
Global rhetoric favours the digital format the as preferred option for providing access to information

9. Conclusions
OA movement is still developing with some uncertainties regarding sustainability and funding
Technocratic approach despite 11% access to Internet connectivity
Libraries need to manage digital content, OA and commercial information content
Librarians have an important role to play in keeping up with new developments but need to be aware of the realities of the developing countries and their information needs