Publisher Wiley Blackwell declined to confirm reports that it was planning 30 redundancies, after axing 30 jobs last year.

The company employs 500 staff at the Oxford Business Park in Cowley, after taking over the former Blackwell Publishing in 2006.

Spokesman Faye Stephens said she was unable to comment until a consultation process was complete.

She said: "Wiley is undergoing the process of collective consultation — something we are committed to conduct carefully and thoroughly.

"All informed colleagues remain potentially affected, not redundant. The number of eventual redundancies is dependent on the outcome of the consultation process."

It is understood the job losses are planned following a decision to outsource some journals publishing to Singapore.

The Blackwell publishing operation in Oxford dates back to the early 20th century.

In February this year, Wiley Blackwell leased one floor of its Oxford offices to Publishing Technology, a company which supplies software and back-office systems to publishers.

Publishing Technology was formed in 2007 following the merger of Ingenta, Vista, and Publishers Communication Group (PCG).