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TopCoder (B)

Harvard Business School Technology & Operations Mgt. Unit Case No. 612-044

Posted: 26 Jan 2012

See all articles by Karim R. Lakhani

Karim R. Lakhani

Harvard Business School - Technology and Operations Management Group; Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science; Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

Eric Lonstein

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Stephanie Healy Pokrywa

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Date Written: September 29, 2011

Abstract

TopCoder develops software for clients through online tournaments, drawing from a community of 275,000 people. The case provides an update on TopCoder's growth and resulting changes in its platform and business model. Specifically, its decision to virtualize the project management role. Issues related to the scalability, profitability and growth of this approach are explored.

Learning Objective: To detail mechanisms of a platform focused on prize-base innovation for complex software projects involving over 275,000 members. Issues of managing clients, community and firm employees are presented.

Suggested Citation

Lakhani, Karim R. and Lonstein, Eric and Pokrywa, Stephanie Healy, TopCoder (B) (September 29, 2011). Harvard Business School Technology & Operations Mgt. Unit Case No. 612-044, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1991231

Karim R. Lakhani (Contact Author)

Harvard Business School - Technology and Operations Management Group ( email )

Boston, MA 02163
United States
617-495-6741 (Phone)

Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science ( email )

1737 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Harvard University - Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society ( email )

Harvard Law School
23 Everett, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Eric Lonstein

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Stephanie Healy Pokrywa

Harvard University - Business School (HBS) ( email )

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States

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