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Short abstract:

Exploring Lithuania’s open peer review tradition for books, this study investigates the interplay of historical practices and evolving policies applied to books as research outputs. Interviews with researchers offer insights into the merits and challenges of the open peer review system for books.

Long abstract:

Unlike their Western peers, Eastern European scholars hold onto a long-standing tradition of open peer review for books, rooted in the Soviet era. Lithuania, independent for 30 years, offers a fascinating case study. Here, regardless of university or other domestic publishers, book title pages mention reviewers' names and affiliations, even though national legislation now aligns with the Western-style closed peer review system for research outputs.

Intriguingly, universities retain open peer review for faculty-authored books they fund and consider research outputs. Faculty-led committees, not publishers, hold the reins, selecting reviewers and deciding publications at the institution's expense. Notably, publishers act solely as service providers, lacking control over the final decision to publish or not to publish a manuscript.

Interviews with Lithuanian researchers, familiar with both open (domestic) and closed (foreign) book peer review systems, illuminate diverse perspectives. Their insights shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, including inherent conflicts and controversies within open processes.

This study delves into the interplay of historical practices with evolving national and international policies, shaping academic publishing traditions. Understanding Lithuania's case unveils the complexities of upholding established practices amidst changing landscapes, sparking discussions about the potential merits and challenges of open peer review for books in various contexts.