The dissertation is devoted to the theoretical justification of digital transformations in the book distribution system of the People‘s Republic of China as a basis for the further formation of an integrated book distribution environment. The book distribution system is considered in a broad sense as a set of processes for bringing the publication from the author to the reader, which includes, along with the book trade, also publishing and library activities, in accordance with the digital transformation of the book sphere, in the conditions of which the subjects of book distribution are both authors and publishers, and bookstores and libraries. At the same time, the analysis of sources on the topic of the study made it possible to ascertain the absence of a holistic view of the problems of the book distribution system in the integrated social and communication environment of the PRC.
The application of a complex of interrelated and complementary scientific approaches (socio-communicative, systemic, historical, socio-cultural) and methods (source research, content analysis, monitoring, statistical analysis, terminological analysis, description, induction, explanation, visualization) made it possible to obtain a holistic view, avoid fragmentation in relation to the research
object and achieve the final goal.
It is noted that the process of digital transformation in the book sphere led to the emergence of new areas (digital publishing, digital distribution, digital library), new subjects (digital publishing house, digital platform, self-publishing platform, online bookstore, etc.), new products (digital publication, e-publishing, e-book, e-resource, e-collection, mobile reading application, etc.), as well as completely new players (content aggregators, digital content providers), new processes (digital reading, digital book publishing, e-commerce, printing on demand) etc. A terminological analysis of the basic concepts characterizing the book distribution
system in the conditions of digital transformations was made, and their meaning was clarified.
The analysis of the modern book distribution system in the People‘s Republic of China made it possible to distinguish the structural elements that were inherent in the pre-digital age and have survived to this day (book trade, publishing houses, libraries), as well as those that appeared only in the new social and communication environment (online stores, digital distribution platforms). It was
found that along with direct content providers, telecommunication companies that have built their own digital content distribution system, and mobile applications that provide access to digital content, and digital aggregators focused on B2B services, and technology providers can be considered elements of the modern book distribution system. , and e-reader manufacturers, and social networking sites.
