Ferrera, Mark Jason The Entrepreneurial Mind

BSIT 107 Mr. John Edward Mira

04 Task Performance 1

1. Would you consider Encyclopedia Britannica’s decision to discontinue the printing of

hardbound volumes a strategic move? Why or why not?

Yes. Every business requires development. They can’t stick to printing hardbound
volumes forever when the age of computer is rising. Most of the people nowadays seldom go to
libraries to find information. Rather, they open their computers and browse the internet. Even
now, there’s a pandemic and we have no opportunity to go outside and mostly we rely to the
internet nowadays.

2. What were the disruptors that made the company arrive at this decision? Research if
necessary.

Technological development is rising, because of the open access websites like Wikipedia
that has been famous in the digital world, Britannica strive to find more effective business
strategies when the open access websites became popular. Readers now prefer the online
articles offered by Wikipedia since its convenient and easy to access.
According to Haq (2012), most libraries have shifted the bulk of their resources to digital
materials, though print reference materials continue to be available. And though older
generations uncomfortable with digital technology prefer print reference materials, the vast
majority of students and younger generations simply go online, where material is readily
accessible and continuously updated – if slightly less authoritative.

3. Do you think that people will still use Encyclopedia Britannica even if it is not in hardbound
anymore?
a. Provide points that will prove that people prefer Encyclopedia Britannica over
Wikipedia and other websites.
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit, in short there will be bias
information on the website since there are many anonymous editors that could
maintain it. When it comes to people who values trusted and unbiased facts,
Encyclopedia Britannica is the best option. And to access high quality articles,
you must pay a subscription fee to access the articles.
 b. Provide points that will prove that people prefer Wikipedia and other websites
over Encyclopedia Britannica.
People would prefer using free and open-source website to have a good source
and accurate information on the web. It is totally free and as credible as
Encyclopedia Britannica. It is a free alternative for the people who want to save
their money rather than purchasing a subscription to other websites just to find
a good and credible information. Wikipedia is preferred by students.

Reference
Haq, H. (2012, March 14). Encyclopedia Britannica puts an end to print publishing. Retrieved
from https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/chapter-and-verse/2012/0314/Encyclopedia-
Britannica-puts-an-end-to-print-publishing