Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything

From Publishers Weekly
The word "wiki" means "quick" in Hawaiian, and here author and think tank CEO Tapscott (The Naked Corporation), along with research director Williams, paint in vibrant colors the quickly changing world of Internet togetherness, also known as mass or global collaboration, and what those changes mean for business and technology. Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written, compiled, edited and re-edited by "ordinary people" is the most ubiquitous example, and its history makes remarkable reading. But also considered are lesser-known success stories of global collaboration that star Procter & Gamble, BMW, Lego and a host of software and niche companies. Problems arise when the authors indulge an outsized sense of scope-"this may be the birth of a new era, perhaps even a golden one, on par with the Italian renaissance, or the rise of Athenian democracy"-while acknowledging only reluctantly the caveats of weighty sources like Microsoft's Bill Gates. Methods for exploiting the power of collaborative production are outlined throughout, an alluring compendium of ways to throw open previously guarded intellectual property and to invite in previously unavailable ideas that hide within the populace at large. This clear and meticulously researched primer gives business leaders big leg up on mass collaboration possibilities; as such, it makes a fine next-step companion piece to James Surowiecki's 2004 bestseller The Wisdom of Crowds.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile
Can you learn about Web 2.0 without spending more time staring at a computer screen? With Alan Sklars unabridged recording of this book, the answer is yes. Consumers, businesspeople, and academics can benefit from this investigation into how online collaboration tools have the potential for transforming research and production. Sklar is a sophisticated reader whose well-known voice is a smooth platform for the authors case studies of innovative information sharing. They provide an enthusiastic overview, and Sklar provides an engaging reading that will make listeners excited about returning to their computers to experience new technologies. R.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Booklist
Anyone who has done even a modest amount of browsing on the Internet has probably run across Wikipedia, the user-edited online encyclopedia that now dwarfs the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica. This is the prime example of what is called the new Web, or Web 2.0, where sites such as MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, and even the Human Genome Project allow mass collaboration from participants in the online community. These open systems can produce faster and more powerful results than the traditional closed proprietary systems that have been the norm for private industry and educational institutions. Detractors claim that authentic voices are being overrun by "an anonymous tide of mass mediocrity," and private industry laments that competition from the free goods and services created by the masses compete with proprietary marketplace offerings. The most obvious example of this is Linux, the open-source operating system that has killed Microsoft in the server environment. But is this a bad thing? Tapscott thinks not; and as a proponent of peering, sharing, and open-source thinking, he has presented a clear and exciting preview of how peer innovation will change everything. David Siegfried
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Eric Schmidt, CEO Google
Wikinomics heralds the biggest change in collaboration to date. Thanks to the Internet, masses of people outside the boundaries of traditional hierarchies can innovate to produce content, goods and services. In order to understand the opportunities this presents for companies, read this book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
“They are clearly on to something with the concept of Wikinomics.”
—USA Today

“Especially valuable for its clear and ultimately persuasive analysis, bolstered by vivid examples.”
—The Wall Street Journal

“An intriguing and important book that belongs on your shelf.”
—The Washington Post

“A provocative examination of the changing nature of business . . . worthwhile for anyone launching or expanding a business of any size.”
—BusinessWeek

“A breathtaking piece of work.”
—Tom Peters

Tom Peters
I am very willing to proclaim that Wikinomics is undoubtedly the best picture so far of the new world of enterprise, collaboration, innovation, and value creation. This is a breathtaking piece of work. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Tony Scott, senior vice president and chief information officer, The Walt Disney Company
A MapQuest-like guide to the emerging business-to-consumer relationship. This book should be invaluable to any manager—helping us chart our way in an increasingly digital world. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Noel Tichy, professor, University of Michigan and author of Cycle of Leadership
Knowledge creation happens in social networks where people learn and teach each other. Wikinomics shows where this phenomenon is headed when turbo charged to engage the ideas and energy of customers, suppliers, and producers in mass collaboration. It's a must read for those who want a map of where the world is headed. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman, World Economic Forum
A deeply profound and hopeful book. Wikinomics provides compelling evidence that the emerging ‘creative commons’ can be a boon, not a threat to business. Every CEO should read this book and heed its wise counsel if they want to succeed in emerging global economy. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

John Chambers, president and CEO Cisco Systems
Wikinomics captures and explains the essential nature of the next generation of the Internet—how collaboration and communication technologies are democratizing the creation of value. An insightful and engaging book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Ross Mayfield, CEO, Socialtext
I love this book. Mass collaboration is most disruptive development in business in a long time. Consider Wikinomics your survival kit. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Gordon Nixon, CEO, Royal Bank of Canada
Wikinomics will help you understand the changes, why they should be good news for businesses, and how to win in this new world. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

A. G. Lafley, CEO, Procter & Gamble
No company today, no matter how large or how global, can innovate fast enough or big enough by itself. Wikinomics reveals the next historic step - the art and science of mass collaboration where companies open up to the world. It is an important book. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
An updated edition of the national bestseller—now with a new introduction and a new chapter

Today, encyclopedias, jetliners, operating systems, mutual funds, and many other items are being created by teams numbering in the thousands or even millions. While some leaders fear the heaving growth of these massive online communities, Wikinomics proves this fear is folly. Smart firms can harness collective capability and genius to spur innovation, growth, and success.

A brilliant guide to one of the most profound changes of our time, Wikinomics challenges our most deeply-rooted assumptions about business and will prove indispensable to anyone who wants to understand competitiveness in the twenty- first century.

Based on a $9 million research project led by bestselling author Don Tapscott, Wikinomics shows how masses of people can participate in the economy like never before. They are creating TV news stories, sequencing the human genome, remixing their favorite music, designing software, finding a cure for disease, editing school texts, inventing new cosmetics, or even building motorcycles. You'll read about:
• Rob McEwen, the Goldcorp, Inc. CEO who used open source tactics and an online competition to save his company and breathe new life into an old-fashioned industry.
• Flickr, Second Life, YouTube, and other thriving online communities that transcend social networking to pioneer a new form of collaborative production.
• Mature companies like Procter & Gamble that cultivate nimble, trust-based relationships with external collaborators to form vibrant business ecosystems.

An important look into the future, Wikinomics will be your road map for doing business in the twenty-first century.

About the Author
Don Tapscott is chief executive of New Paradigm, a think tank that focuses on business innovation. He is the author of ten books about business strategy and technology, including the bestsellers Paradigm Shift, Growing Up Digital, and The Naked Corporation. He lectures around the world and serves as an adjunct professor of management at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Anthony D. Williams is vice president and executive editor at New Paradigm and the author of numerous influential reports.