Open access for degrowth: a literature review on the economic, social, and environmental impact of journal models

Claudio Vitari () and Zakaria Laala
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Claudio Vitari: CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon
Zakaria Laala: CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon

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Abstract: The traditional model of academic publishing, characterized by paid subscriptions, has historically restricted access to research findings, posing barriers for researchers and institutions with limited resources (Suber, 2012). In response, the open access (OA) movement has gained momentum, advocating for free and unrestricted access to scholarly literature online, thereby promoting transparency and equitable knowledge dissemination (Suber, 2012). This literature review examines the economic, social, and environmental impacts of various OA journal models, encompassing gold, green, hybrid, and emerging diamond routes. The economic impact of OA models, including cost structures and funding mechanisms such as Article Processing Charges (APCs), is analyzed to understand their implications for publishers, authors, and institutions (Björk et al., 2017; Morrison, 2017). Socially, OA fosters inclusivity by removing financial barriers and enhancing global scientific collaboration, thus democratizing access to knowledge (Houghton & Swan, 2011; Hilton III, 2016). However, the environmental footprint of OA remains underexplored, with emerging concerns over digital sustainability and carbon emissions associated with online publishing (Bouffard et al., 2022). Methodologically, this review synthesizes findings from 20 selected articles using systematic search queries and inclusion criteria based on economic, social, and ecological dimensions (Van Ooijen et al., 2023). By employing a comprehensive framework, we assess the state of knowledge regarding OA impacts and propose future research directions to optimize its benefits while mitigating potential drawbacks. Ultimately, this review underscores the transformative potential of OA in reshaping scholarly communication and calls for continued empirical research to inform evidence-based policy and practice in academic publishing.

Keywords: Open access peer-reviewed articles publishing models degrowth; Open access; peer-reviewed articles; publishing models; degrowth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-06-18
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-env and nep-sog
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Published in ESEE-Degrowth 2024 International Conference, Post-Growth Innovation Lab, Jun 2024, Pontevedra, Spain

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