About the book
Clay Shirky's study of the internet and group behavior argues that social tools let people organize without the institutions such work once required. Drawing on cases like Wikipedia, Flickr, blogging software and Twitter, Shirky shows how groups now form without the old limits of time and cost. Borrowing Ronald Coase's idea of transaction costs, he describes a Coasean floor below which activities were too costly for firms, and where loose online groups now operate. He also covers the mass amateurization of journalism and photography, and his model of promise, tool and bargain behind successful groups. Penguin Press published it in 2008.
Haier Group chief executive Zhang Ruimin was reported to cite it as one of the books shaping Haier's direction. Poke head of strategy Bogdana Butnar put it on her list of books to read.
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This book has 2 recommendations
Zhang Ruimin (CEO/Haier Group)
Ruimin cites Shirky's book as another example of contemporary thought leadership influencing Haier's direction. In the book, Shirky offers examples of companies which have thrived in the absence of traditional organizational structures. The ideas have clearly influenced Ruimin. He tells strategy business: We used to have a pyramid-style structure for our sales in China. The people in charge of sales had to manage business at the national, provincial, and city levels. After the arrival of the internet age, we realized that under this triangular hierarchical structure, people had a difficult time adapting to the requirements of the times. So we reorganized ourselves as an entrepreneurial platform. We flattened everything out, taking out all the middle management. We decentralized the structure to one with more than 2,800 counties. Each county organization has seven people or fewer.
Recommended by Bogdana Butnar (Head of Strategy/Poke)
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Often recommended alongside
- The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson (2 shared recommenders)