Structured content analysis of open access book policies: European university and research funder approaches

Abstract:  Despite playing a crucial role in making research publications freely accessible for more than two decades, academic research on open access (OA) policies remains limited. Drawing on both a review of existing research and an analysis of 66 recent OA book policies, this study introduces a novel methodological framework for structured policy analysis and maps the current OA book policy landscape in Europe. Our results reveal substantial heterogeneity in the policy environment, with substantial variation both in the presence of policy elements and in their operationalization across policies. This diverse policy environment creates implementation challenges at multiple levels, from researchers managing different requirements to institutions developing support strategies, and publishers adapting their services to meet varied policy demands. Given that OA policies significantly impact research practices at individual, institutional, and national levels, yet systematic evidence remains scarce, our findings emphasize the need for increased research and monitoring in this domain.