The TopCoder case is intended to provide you with an overview of how a platform-based firm uses contests to create software. It provides an introduction to the application of crowdsourcing for the relatively complex and important task of software development.
From the readings in Gee ("Getting Smarter Before Its Too Late"), the slides presented on the topic, and the Wired article ("How Airbnb and Lyft Finally Got Americans to Trust Each Other" on information sharing apps, there are also many other collective action/information sharing applications that are used to solve potentially complex problems.
Because we are commenting and posting ideas on a blog, the goal is to be interactive (see Gee above). The questions posted are mostly to provide a way to respond to the case and other readings. Finally, please read what others wrote. Do your best not to post a "new" comment or post, if it has already been mentioned previously. Rather, add to the post/comment. Please consider the questions posted below, and address the ones you want to answer according to the cases, but also add your opinions and/or experiences. You do not need to answer all of the questions; perhaps explore one or two in depth. Comments count.
I realize that this may not be typical of the way you write-up cases, but that's ok. Maybe we'll learn more from each other this way.
Instructions: Answer one question or comment from TopCoder (Qs 1-3) and one post or comment about collective action/"sharing economy" (Q4). As an option, you can post Q.4 for Tech Musing #2 about a "new" type of collective action not mentioned in the readings.
- If you were a senior manager at TopCoder, what are the main capabilities you would need to develop to succeed at running the firm? Are these capabilities similar or unique from managing a more traditional firm?
- As a client of TopCoder what would your main areas of concern be with this type of outsourcing? Has TopCoder done enough to overcome them?
- The CEO believes that project demand will automatically create programmer supply. What are the reasons for doubting or agreeing with this core assumption of the business model?
- Find an example of collective action or an information sharing app. Describe and link to the digital tool. Explain what it does, how it works, and the types of problems it is working to solve. Do not use examples from those discussed specifically in the article (e.g., Airbnb, Lyft, Uber), but there are NEW examples of these and others that you can discuss.
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