I have a question about the compensation for authors and reviewers in academic publishing. Authors invest significant time and effort into their research and publications, often receiving only small recognition or promotions after many years based on the publications. When we submit our work to publishers, they monetize it through subscriptions, allowing universities and other institutions to access the articles after buying the subscription. However, authors do not receive any royalties or monetary benefits from this. Similarly, reviewers dedicate their time to ensuring the quality of research without compensation. From writing a research paper to reviewing it, those involved do not receive any financial benefits (except perhaps a certificate for their contribution); all the financial gains go to the publisher. In contrast, authors of successful books can become millionaires. Why don't authors from academic industries receive any financial benefits from publishers?
Scientific publishing is a high-profit business, at least for the large publishers. But their financial model does not include rewards for authors and reviewers, otherwise the profit would not be high enough, or the prices for subscriptions and APC should be much higher. Contrary, for open access articles the authors have to pay the publishers (APC). There are non-profit journals published by institutes, academies or societies, but their financial model also does not allow to pay authors and reviewers, because the institutes, academies or societies have to pay for the costs of publication. See also these previous discussions:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_many_researchers_think_publishers_journals_should_pay_for_their_content_and_also_for_peer_review/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/If_there_is_ever_going_to_be_a_time_peer_reviewers_will_be_paid_for_their_services_the_time_is_now/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Should_journals_pay_for_peer_review_work/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_open-access_journals_reviewers_do_not_get_paid_for_their_job/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_dont_journals_pay_reviewers_and_still_sell_publications/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_dont_journals_pay_to_reviewers_as_they_bleed_authors_for_publication_fees/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How-much-does-someone-pay-to-publish-in-this-journal/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_does_Nature_Open_Access_charge_so_much_to_publish/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_your_opinion_on_the_journals_where_you_pay_a_fee_to_be_able_to_publish_your_paper/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Journal_Publication_fee/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is-it-fair-for-peer-reviewed-international-Journals-to-charge-exorbitant-processing-fees/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Publication_game_and_charges_inflation/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_think_that_the_academic_publishing_industry_exploits_scholars/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_know_the_journals_which_paid_royalties_to_authors/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_many_researchers_think_publishers_journals_should_pay_for_their_content_and_also_for_peer_review/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Payment_for_papers_reviews/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Free_science_What_do_you_think_about_paying_to_read_a_scientific_article_even_though_you_know_that_its_authors_dont_get_paid_for_it/1
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Open_Access_Publication_with_huge_amounts_of_Processing_Charge_Where_is_Academia_Leading_to/1
Rabinder Kumar
Thank you for posting the question. Dr. Wolfgang R. Dick has posted expert's view as an answer.
I like to suggest a practical way of finding the answer.
Stop being an author and reviewer. Try setting up a Publishing company in any academic field.
Regards
The academic publishing system is complex and deeply ingrained. The main reason that authors are not paid for academic publications is that their primary incentive for publishing isn't monetary. While writing a book generally involves a financial incentive for the author, academic researchers have different motivations, such as career advancement, reputation, and the ability to share their research findings with the wider scientific community. Additionally, academic researchers' salaries are often paid by their university or research institution; their writing is considered part of their job. And when they review articles, they are generally not compensated because it’s considered part of their professional service to the academic community. Furthermore, the publishing model is different in academic publishing compared to the mainstream publishing industry. Academic journals heavily rely on subscribers (usually libraries or institutions) to cover publishing costs. And because peer-review is a necessary part of ensuring high-quality academic research, this further increases the costs. Therefore, there's usually little revenue left to pay authors. The focus of academic publishing, unlike traditional book publishing, is not to generate a profit but to disseminate knowledge among the academic community. However, there are ongoing debates and discussions about reforming this traditional academic publishing model, especially in the age of open access and digital publishing.
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