Book Master Case Study

Bookmaster Case Study

The Bookmaster case study explains the process by which Drew, a consumer, runs to a near book store, Bookmaster, to purchase a book. After many obstacles on his way there he arrives and asks a CRA if they had a copy of the book he needed. Despite the system stating that they did, after an extensive search the CRA was unable to find a copy for him. In efforts to help Drew attain the book he needed, the CRA offered to order it for him or for him to drive to there nearest store that did have a copy. With discontent Drew rejects both offers. In the CRA’s last attempt to help she checked to see if the book was available as an eBook format. Being that it was available, she offers him that option which would be faster and significantly inexpensive in comparison. Because Drew had neither an iPad nor a Kindle he told the CRA that he would attempt to download it on his computer, but was not sure if that was an option with eBooks. A value chain is the set of activities involved in providing goods and services to customers. In this paper we will examine the value chains of the creation of both hard-copy books and eBooks and how each player in the chain makes their money. We will also compare and contrast both of the value chains and examine what the advantages and disadvantages are of each. Finally, we will explain the role of operations in the value chains as well as examine other criteria and issues that are important in critiquing both value chains.

Value Chain of Hard-Copy Books and Profit Acquisition of Each Player

In a value chain each player makes their money by creating value for stakeholders. In the value chain of the creation of hard-copy books authors begin the value chain by creating a book, authors make a profit from advances and a percentage of sale from every book sold at a retail outlet. Following authors are the author’s agent. Agents will make a profit through negotiations made to publishers who...