The Determinants of Electronic Textbook Use Among College Students

Abstract

Electronic books are a fast-growing component of the publishing industry. Sales of electronic textbooks (e-textbooks) are growing, but at a slower rate. In this research, we use data from an undergraduate college student survey to estimate the determinants of e-textbook use. Students who are younger, lower-income, and graduated from larger high schools are more likely to use e-textbooks. Furthermore, e-textbooks are more likely to be used by students in technically-oriented fields, especially in business, where electronic materials are often required. An environment of continued growth in student technical competence with information technology, continued increases in college cost and a reduction in professor resistance to e-textbooks would bode well for growth in their use.