Wikinomics

Find the book here: http://www.wikinomics.com/book/

Wikinomics article from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything is a book by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams first published in December 2006. It explores how some companies in the early 21st century have used mass collaboration (also called peer production) and open-source technology such as wikis to be successful.

Concepts

According to Tapscott, Wikinomics is based on four ideas: Openness, Peering, Sharing, and Acting Globally. The use of mass collaboration in a business environment, in recent history, can be seen as an extension of the trend in business to outsource: externalize formerly internal business functions to other business entities. The difference however is that instead of an organized business body brought into being specifically for a unique function, mass collaboration relies on free individual agents to come together and cooperate to improve a given operation or solve a problem. This kind of outsourcing is also referred to as crowdsourcing, to reflect this difference. This can be incentivized by a reward system, though it is not required.

The book also discusses the seven new models of mass collaboration:

• peer pioneers
• ideagoras
• prosumers
• new Alexandrians
• platforms for participation
• global plant floor
• wiki workplace

The last chapter is written by viewers, and was opened for editing on February 5, 2007.