Probably it is most important when publishers are just getting started.
Most academic journal publishers publish just one or a few journals, so even after getting established, their range of experience may be limited.
Now, at the same time that new online publishing systems are becoming available, there is also more information becoming available to quickly learn about all aspects of publishing.
Bioline International (for example) has a lot of good resources for publishers, and the African Journals Online project is also very interesting.
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Peter J. Matthews, Chief Admin.,
The Research Cooperative,
Auckland & Kyoto.
Contact: researchcooperative [at] gmail [dot] com