The Perceptions of Malaysian Consumers Towards the Usage and the Future of eBooks

Poh Swee Hiang

Poh Swee Hiang

Keywords: eBook, ease of use, digital natives, artificial intelligence

Abstract

The sales of eBooks in developing countries are not encouraging. This study attempts to find out the existing perceptions of Malaysian consumers towards the usage and the future of eBooks. A semi-structured interview was carried out. Nine participants, each with five to ten years of eBook experience, were selected. Three of them are eBook consumers and the others are eBook industrialists. The findings show that eBooks are easy to use, subject to Internet connectivity, successful downloading, and device suitability. EBooks face the challenge against digital texts that do not conform to the conventional format of a book and the need to enhance their features with audio, visual, or interactive elements. The future of eBooks lies with the generation of digital natives who grow up handling screens of electronic devices effectively. They may even transform eBooks with artificial technology into a product that serves their natural, exploratory, and interactive learning styles.

Author Biography

Poh Swee Hiang

Poh Swee Hiang has been the Publishing Director of Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn Bhd since 2009. He has held similar positions of responsibility for more than 20 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science with Education and Masters of Education from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and an MBA from Edin-burgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland. He obtained his PhD from the University of Malaya in 2018. His research focus is the business model of eBooks.