The Hidden Cost of Publishing: Why the Transition to Open Access Did Not Make Science Cheaper for Latin American Universities

Abstract

Introduction: The transition from subscription-based publishing to open access has transformed the scientific communication landscape. However, this shift has not reduced overall publishing costs for Latin American universities but has instead redistributed expenditures toward article processing charges (APCs), transformative agreements, and institutional incentives.

Objective: To discuss the economic impact of the open access publishing model on Latin American universities, particularly in Peru, and to propose strategies to improve the financial sustainability of scholarly communication.

Content: Recent evidence regarding the concentration of the academic publishing market, the continuous increase in APCs, transformative publishing agreements, and national research funding policies is examined. The article also discusses the influence of institutional incentives on scientific productivity and highlights the need for responsible research assessment frameworks that emphasize research quality rather than publication volume.

Conclusions: The true cost of scientific publishing remains largely underestimated within higher education institutions. Developing institutional cost-monitoring systems, promoting collective negotiations with publishers, strengthening diamond open access infrastructures, and adopting responsible research assessment models are essential strategies to ensure sustainable and equitable scholarly communication across Latin America.