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  • February 2007 (Revised February 2007)
  • Case
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Wikipedia (A)

By: Karim R. Lakhani and Andrew P. McAfee
  • Format:Multimedia
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Abstract

Wikipedia has emerged as a robust model for content production by volunteers working asynchronously on the Internet with a unconventional model for distributed decision making. The "Articles for Deletion" process in Wikipedia provides unique insight into the inner workings of a distributed community. Wikipedia administrators have to decide if an article on "Enterprise 2.0" should be deleted, kept or merged with some other article. The episode illustrates broader issues of IT-enabled community mobilization and engagement in distributed setting.

Keywords

Information Publishing; Information Management; Internet; Information Technology; Globalization; Service Delivery; Knowledge Sharing; Knowledge Management; Information Industry; Information Technology Industry

Citation

Lakhani, Karim R., and Andrew P. McAfee. "Wikipedia (A)." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Case 607-712, February 2007. (Revised February 2007.)
  • Educators

About The Author

Karim R. Lakhani

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • February 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Threadless: The Renewal of an Online Community

    By: Shane Greenstein, Karim Lakhani and Christian Godwin
    • 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Consuming Contests: Outcome Uncertainty and Spectator Demand for Contest-based Entertainment

    By: Patrick J. Ferguson and Karim R. Lakhani
    • 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Learning with People Like Me: The Role of Age-Similar Peers on Online Business Course Engagement

    By: Laura R. Huber, Jacqueline N. Lane and Karim R. Lakhani
More from the Authors
  • Threadless: The Renewal of an Online Community By: Shane Greenstein, Karim Lakhani and Christian Godwin
  • Consuming Contests: Outcome Uncertainty and Spectator Demand for Contest-based Entertainment By: Patrick J. Ferguson and Karim R. Lakhani
  • Learning with People Like Me: The Role of Age-Similar Peers on Online Business Course Engagement By: Laura R. Huber, Jacqueline N. Lane and Karim R. Lakhani
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