STM Society Publishers Demonstrate Resilience in the Face of the Recession

Many professional organizations have active publishing programs; these learned society publishers account for just under 8% of the total Scientific, Technical & Medical Information (STM) segment revenues tracked by Outsell. Societies that traditionally have relied on members’ dues for funding now require more lucrative business models to face modern challenges. This report examines how the modern scientific society is adapting to the harsh economic conditions presented by the 21st century and describes how the increased focus on social interactions among scientists favors the best prepared. The report provides essential pointers for survival in the new knowledge-driven economies of the new age, and contains:

- Analysis of the co-evolution of scientific societies and publishing over the centuries, including a table with examples of typical society business models;
- Five trends that will affect the future of scientific societies;
- Profiles of six societies that exhibit characteristics required for entrepreneurial success: American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Institute of Physics, British Medical Journal Group, Royal Society of Chemistry, and SAE International;
- Analysis of factors that will put certain societies in front of the pack;
- Essential actions for society publishers.