Dr J. Boter (1966) has been named Professor by Special Appointment in the Book Trade Chair in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), effective 1 January 2009. This new chair was designated on behalf of the Royal Dutch Booksellers Association (Koninklijke Nederlandse Boekverkopersbond).

Jaap Boter conducts research at the interface of art and economics/business economics. He has completed many studies on the business economics of such cultural organisations as theatres, concert halls, museums, libraries and the book trade. As Professor by Special Appointment at the UvA, Boter will focus on the economic and cultural significance of developments in the book trade industry. Specifically, he will investigate three key themes that each play a role in the industry: business economics (return), strategy (how to survive?) and consumer behaviour (how do people see, choose and buy books?). This will then form the framework for, amongst other things, two major new research projects. The first will examine strategies for surviving the evolution of and revolution in the market: how should booksellers respond when major changes loom in their branch of business? The second study will address the importance of tangibility for consumers: what is the added value of physical books compared with e-books, and what is the added value of the physical bookshop compared with online alternatives? These studies aim to provide greater insight into the current and future role of the book trade as an intermediary in cultural life.

Boter studied Musicology, with a specialisation in Art Policy and Management, at Utrecht University. He later earned his PhD in Economics, with a focus on Marketing, from VU University Amsterdam. Since 2001 Boter has served as Assistant Professor in the Marketing research group at VU University Amsterdam, where his further activities include coordination of the Research Center Art and Economics (www.watdoetdevuvooru.nl).