Digital transformation in the publishing of science and technology books in Vietnam: Current status and development implications

Abstract

Digital transformation is reshaping how knowledge is created, published, and disseminated, while also creating new requirements for the publishing of science and technology (S&T) books in Vietnam. This article aims to clarify the current state of digital transformation in S&T book publishing based on systems approach. The study applies the IPOOI (Input-Process-Output-Outcome-Impact) model and combines document analysis with a survey of 495 respondents-including state management officials; leaders, editors, and professional staff of publishing houses; authors, lecturers, and students in S&T disciplines; and users of S&T books-and in-depth interviews with 20 experts. The findings show that digital transformation has been implemented across various stages, from manuscript preparation, editing and publishing to communication and distribution; however, although the level of transformation remains uneven. Most components were assessed at a moderate level. Regarding technological infrastructure and databases, 27.5% of respondents rated them as good or very good, 43.2% as moderate, and 29.3% as limited or very limited. The main bottlenecks involve manuscript sources, human resources, editorial capacity, data infrastructure and coordination among stakeholders. Based on these findings, the article proposes several development implications for promoting a more coordinated digital transformation in S&T book publishing in Vietnam.