Table of Content Section1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9 Appendix1|2|3|4|5|6|7 Notes|Executive Summary|Download(PDF format, 798KB) SECTION ONE - INTRODUCTION Background 1.1        This Council research paperfollows previous Council studies into two separate marketing practices in thetextbook industry - a standard retail discount rate collectively applied bymajor textbook retailers; and publishers offering incentives to schools toinfluence the textbook selection process [1]. Scope of research 1.2        This part of the Councils' workexpands the scope of research by providing an overview of the supply and demandfor textbooks, examining government policy, and making a number ofrecommendations and policy suggestions. 1.3        The issues identified forconsideration are: (a) what are the structural and competitive features of the relevant markets; (b) to what extent is government educational policy affecting the structure and competitiveness of the market; (c) what if any detrimental effects to the welfare of consumers/ schools arise from the current market structure; and (d) what improvements can be made to maintain an adequate supply of high quality and affordable primary and secondary school textbooks. Report structure 1.4        The report is divided into thefollowing sections. Section Two - Executive Summary and Recommendations Section Three - Supply and Demand Characteristics Section Four - The Publisher Market Section Five - The Retail Market Section Six - Government Policies Section Seven - Textbook Selection Section Eight - Overseas Examples of Textbook Policy Section Nine - Textbook Loan Library Option Information sources 1.5        The Council made use ofinformation previously found in surveys with textbook publishers, booksellersand schools, in order to gather information from market participants atdifferent levels in the textbook industry [2]. During the information collectionstage, the Council held interviews with the Anglo-Chinese Textbook PublishersOrganisation, the Hong Kong Educational Publishers Association, and theEducational Booksellers' Association. Information was also sought from theEducation Department (ED). 1.6        The Council also contactedoverseas organisations [3]with a view to examining how they develop instructionalmaterials, monitor textbook prices and provide educational funding. Theinformation on overseas textbook policy may stimulate further discussion onareas for improvement in Hong Kong. The information covered the provisions ofschool textbooks in 19 countries/places: Australia, Canada, France, Germany,Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, USA. 1.7        The Council would like to takethis opportunity to express its gratitude to ED for the provision of itsresearch materials to assist us in better understanding the textbook policies indifferent countries/places.