| Abstract: |
Book publishing had faced numerous challenges since the emergence of electronic
books, which had disrupted traditional publishing practices. This study examined
how digitalisation had affected book publishing at the University of Calabar Printing
Press. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and used oral
interviews to obtain data from the management of the University of Calabar and staff
of the University of Calabar Printing Press. The population of the study comprised
12 staff of the printing press, and a census approach was used to cover the entire
population. Purposive sampling technique was also used to select the management
personnel and staff who were considered knowledgeable about the operations and
digital transformation of the printing press. The study was anchored on the
Technological Determinism Theory, which posited that technology shaped how
individuals thought, behaved and interacted within society. Findings revealed that Globally, digitalisation has manifested in various forms, ranging
from e-governance and online learning to digital finance and cloud-based
healthcare systems. In developed countries, it has redefined how people live
and work, enhancing efficiency and accessibility to services. For example,
Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Norway have almost completely
integrated digital public service systems (European Commission, 2023). In
Asia, countries like South Korea and Singapore have leveraged digital
technologies to develop smart cities and optimise urban governance. These
advanced forms of digitalisation include the use of machine learning for
public health monitoring, blockchain for secure transactions, and digital
platforms for educational content delivery.
In Nigeria, while making noticeable strides, is still classified among
developing nations with emerging digital economies. According to the 2022
report of the Global System for Mobile Communications, Nigeria ranks
among Sub-Saharan African countries with a growing digital penetration
rate, with internet access reaching approximately 55.4% of the population by
2022. However, digital infrastructure is unevenly distributed, and digital
literacy remains a challenge in rural and underdeveloped areas. The Nigerian
government has recognised this gap and initiated policies such as the
National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) to foster digital
inclusion and innovation.Digitalisation has had profound impacts on the
overall well-being of society. It has improved access to healthcare through
telemedicine, enhanced education through e-learning platforms, facilitated
governance through digital identity systems, and transformed the economy
through fintech and digital marketplaces. Some critical areas where
digitalisation has made significant inroads include the following: With the
integration of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and virtual classrooms,
educational institutions are now able to offer remote and blended learning
models, expanding access to quality education. Digital banking platforms,
mobile money services, and cryptocurrency systems have enhanced financial digital transformation at the printing press had become more pronounced during the
administration of Prof. Florence Obi. Her administration restructured the printing
system and introduced Computer-to-Plate (CTP) technology, which enhanced
production speed and reduced dependence on manual labour. This innovation
marked a significant shift in the operations of the press and aligned its activities with
developments in the global publishing industry. The study concluded that the
University of Calabar Printing Press had experienced significant digitalisation,
which had improved the quality and efficiency of its printing productions. The study
recommended that the University should institute strict financial policies to curb
debt accumulation, particularly from internal users such as lecturers, by enforcing
timely payment for printing services. It further recommended that the University
management should provide consistent institutional and financial support through
the establishment of a dedicated funding mechanism for the printing press. Such
support should include greater financial autonomy for the press to reduce
bureaucratic delays in accessing operational funds. Improved financial flexibility
would enhance cash flow, facilitate reinvestment in technological upgrades and
support routine maintenance. These measures would strengthen the sustainability of
the printing press, reduce its reliance on external loans and enable it to remain
competitive in the digital publishing era. |
