Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 31 May 2012
Revision date: 24-Oct-2012
Length: 20 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
TopCoder's crowdsourcing-based business model, in which software is developed through online tournaments, is presented. The case highlights how TopCoder has created a unique two-sided innovation platform consisting of a global community of over 225,000 developers who compete to write software modules for its over 40 clients. Provides details of a unique innovation platform where complex software is developed through ongoing online competitions. By outlining the company's evolution, the challenges of building a community and refining a web-based competition platform are illustrated. Experiences and perspectives from TopCoder community members and clients help show what it means to work from within or in cooperation with an online community. In the case, the use of distributed innovation and its potential merits as a corporate problem solving mechanism is discussed. Issues related to TopCoder's scalability, profitability and growth are also explored.
Locations:
Size:
Approx USD20,000,000, 35 employees
Other setting(s):
2010
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 25 March 2011
Length: 22 pages
Data source: Field research
Spanish language
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 15 January 2010
Revision date: 3-May-2019
Length: 21 pages
Data source: Field research
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 29 September 2011
Length: 5 pages
Data source: Field research
About
Abstract
TopCoder's crowdsourcing-based business model, in which software is developed through online tournaments, is presented. The case highlights how TopCoder has created a unique two-sided innovation platform consisting of a global community of over 225,000 developers who compete to write software modules for its over 40 clients. Provides details of a unique innovation platform where complex software is developed through ongoing online competitions. By outlining the company's evolution, the challenges of building a community and refining a web-based competition platform are illustrated. Experiences and perspectives from TopCoder community members and clients help show what it means to work from within or in cooperation with an online community. In the case, the use of distributed innovation and its potential merits as a corporate problem solving mechanism is discussed. Issues related to TopCoder's scalability, profitability and growth are also explored.
Settings
Locations:
Size:
Approx USD20,000,000, 35 employees
Other setting(s):
2010
Related
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 25 March 2011
Length: 22 pages
Data source: Field research
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 15 January 2010
Revision date: 3-May-2019
Length: 21 pages
Data source: Field research
Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
Harvard Business Publishing
Version: 29 September 2011
Length: 5 pages
Data source: Field research