BOOKS

Knowledge Management Review, Nov/Dec 2007

BOOKS

Wikinomics: How mass collaboration changes everything

By Don Tapscott

(Penguin Group)

Slightly breathless at times, and with plentiful talk of revolution, Wikinomics is a must-read for collaboration and knowledge workers but also everyone else in between.

As the book's blurb states, "In just the last few years, traditional collaboration - in a meeting room or conference call - has been superseded by collaborations on an astronomical scale.

"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."

Wikinomics the book and its counterpart website www.wikinomics.com is based on a US$9 million research project led by author Don Tapscott. The project demonstrates how masses of people can participate in the economy like never before. Case studies and topics discussed include:

* Goldcorp, Inc., who used open source tactics and an online competition to save the company and breathe new life into an old-fashioned industry.

* Mature companies like Procter & Gamble that cultivate nimble, trust-based relationships with external collaborators to form vibrant business ecosystems.

This is a must-read book for anyone with even a remote interest in the way people can work together, collaborate and share knowledge. For knowledge managers specifically, it could provide basis for some powerful arguments as we aim to adapt to ever more rapidly evolving business environments.

www.penguin.com