Understanding the Open-Access Practices of China's Science, Technology, and Mathematics Journals: Insights from Editors.

This article examines the factors influencing the adoption of open access (OA) practices in science, technology, and medical (STM) journals in China through qualitative analysis of interviews with seventeen STM journal editors. It identifies five main categories affecting OA implementation—motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation), behavioural intention (perceived value, risk, and behavioural control), individual differences (journal positioning and resource support), social reference norms (OA trends and stakeholder actions), and institutional policy context (management policies, OA systems, and regulatory policies). The study develops a theoretical model highlighting a core "Motivation–Intention–Behaviour" pathway moderated by individual, social, and institutional factors, reflecting the complex dynamics shaping OA practices in Chinese STM journals. While focused on China's unique publishing environment, the findings offer insights relevant to global scholarly communication and future OA developments.