Why and How the Government Should it Support Publishing Industry? A Survey of Iranian Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Objective: This study aims to identify, contextualize, and validate a comprehensive framework for governmental support of the book publishing industry in Iran based on a paradigmatic model (causal, contextual, and intervening conditions, strategies, and outcomes) to provide a synchronized roadmap for cultural policymakers.
Methodology: A mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) research design was employed. In this quantitative phase, a self-administered questionnaire based on the qualitative findings was distributed among key publishing stakeholders, yielding 368 valid respondents. Data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for component extraction, followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) utilizing LISREL software. Missing data were handled using the Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) estimation method.
Findings: EFA identified 17 distinct components across the five dimensions of the paradigm model, accounting for 97.14% of the total variance. The CFA goodness-of-fit indices demonstrated an excellent fit for the overall model (chi^2 = 2403.56, df = 2348, P-value = 0.21, RMSEA = 0.0080). Structural path analysis revealed that 38 out of 42 direct hypotheses and 64 out of 84 mediating paths were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Economic and infrastructural factors were found to be primary drivers of financial, technological, and managerial strategies; however, their direct relationship with international strategies was rejected (P = 0.144). Additionally, cultural-promotional strategies showed no significant impact on economic outcomes (P = 0.083).
Conclusion: The structural model exhibits high validity and predictive power. Unidimensional interventions or an exclusive focus on promotional campaigns without resolving underlying economic and managerial barriers fail to sustain the publishing value chain. Technological and managerial strategies remain the cornerstone for achieving sustainable economic and cultural outcomes in Iran's publishing sector.