Harry Lindsols TextBook Decision:

An eBook or a Traditional
CASE

College Textbook?

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
1. Describe the competing business models of traditional textbooks and etextbooks. How do the customer
value propositions of the two textbook formats compare? How are the profit formulas of paper textbooks
and etextbooks different?

2. How do textbook platforms that include online tutorials affect the customer value proposition of textbooks?
Does the addition of such online materials affect the profit formula for a textbook? Explain.

3. What is competition like in the textbook industry? Which of the five competitive forces seems strongest?
Which of the five forces is weakest?

4. What factors are driving change in the textbook industry? What is your assessment of the impact of these
driving forces of change?

5. What are the key factors of success in the textbook industry? List and discuss the resources and competitive
capabilities are required to achieve success in the industry?

6. What competitive advantage or disadvantage might an eBooks only textbook publisher have relative to
McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and other large international publishers?

7. What are your recommendations to Professor Lindsol concerning his interest in launching a new venture
specializing in etextbooks?