La sostenibilità dei modelli di Open Access

Abstract

In this article we seek to assess the economic sustainability of Open Access models, that is to say to what extent these models are effective and durable competitors to traditional journals. The article highlights the conditions to be met for Open Access repositories to erode the competitive advantage of traditional journals, describes the need to quickly reach reputation and critical mass with an innovative editorial project and describes the virtuous circle leading to the success of Open Access models: editorial identity, and a rigid selection process lead to a solid reputation which, thanks to a higher accessibility to published content, becomes visible and attractive for researchers in their double role of authors and readers. The visibility and prestige acquired enhance the repository reputation, stimulate a growing number of submissions, leading to a more rigorous selection process, which in turn contributes to a strengthening of the reputation of the journal. The article highlights the need to compare traditional journals and Open Access models within the broader process of production, financing and diffusion of results of the scientific research