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  • July 2017 (Revised July 2018)
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Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud

By: Dylan Minor and David Yoffie
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:25
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Abstract

Stephane Kasriel, the new CEO of Upwork, the leading platform for freelance labor, needs to decide on how to redesign its business model. While the firm has been growing rapidly since the merger of Odesk and eLance, the newly combined firm continues to face problems of clients "circumventing" the Upwork platform after an initial match. This case explores a variety of options for how Kasriel might prevent circumvention and reach his ambitious growth goals.

Keywords

Strategy; Platform; Platform Businesses; Technology; Business Model; Digital Platforms; Growth and Development Strategy; Internet and the Web; Labor

Citation

Minor, Dylan, and David Yoffie. "Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud." Harvard Business School Case 718-402, July 2017. (Revised July 2018.)
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About The Author

David B. Yoffie

Strategy
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Related Work

    • July 2017 (Revised July 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud

    By: Dylan Minor and David Yoffie
    • April 2019
    • Faculty Research

    Upwork in 2019

    By: David Yoffie and Allison M. Ciechanover
    • May 2019
    • Faculty Research

    Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud/Upwork in 2019

    By: David B. Yoffie
Related Work
  • Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud By: Dylan Minor and David Yoffie
  • Upwork in 2019 By: David Yoffie and Allison M. Ciechanover
  • Upwork: Creating the Human Cloud/Upwork in 2019 By: David B. Yoffie
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