The Business of Web 2.0

• The Business of Web 2.0

The Business of Web 2.0 Specialization Courses

Overview

The popularity of online social networks and Web 2.0 technologies has had a significant impact on individuals by reshaping how they receive information as well as interact with each other. The larger impact, arguably, has been on businesses in redefining how they accomplish work and gain competitive advantage. While firms have been experimenting with new business models that leverage such technologies, their distinctive characteristics present both opportunities and challenges. For example, through an increased consumer/user involvement in how products and services are created and maintained, businesses are able to not only reduce costs but also increase innovation. On the other hand, such user involvement also introduces new risks and challenges for business. How can businesses manage a volunteer work force that is not on the payroll and does not report to them? We will discuss these and other issues that arise from the increasing participation of online social networks and groups enabled by Web 2.0 technologies as well as the continuously evolving business models that leverage Web 2.0 technologies.

Learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to . . .

• Understand the characteristics of some key social computing technologies
• Analyze the business models of some successful Web 2.0 businesses
• Manage community based production in organizations
• Evaluate different social computing technologies and their use to accomplish a variety of business goals