Swarm Creativity

"We live in the age of networks. We advise young people to build networks to advance their careers. We study organizations by assessing the networks that develop within and among them. We encourage firms with like technology to cluster geographically so their scientists can 'network'. And, of course, there is the Internet that has changed the world, scientifically, socially, and politically. Peter Gloor takes us through one of the most important of these developments: the creation of Collaborative Innovation Networks..." --Thomas J. Allen, Howard W. Johnson Professor of Management and Professor of Engineering Systems, MacVicar Faculty Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Peter Gloor offers a visionary guide into novel organizational forms and the opportunities they present for innovative companies. This is a wake-up call, challenging our most basic assumptions about management of organizations. His timing is perfect: loosen the hierarchy...harness democracy...think not of employees, but of partners. This is a book packed with insights and wisdom. Leadership would be well served to incorporate its lessons into the new networked business world of today." --Walter Etter, COO, Banca del Gottardo, Switzerland

"Swarm Creativity brings a totally fresh look at innovation and collaboration. This book is a must-read for anyone in a business who is faced with the need to constantly innovate in order to remain competitive. It helps organizations shape their strategies based on principles of social networks, ethics, and meritocracy. By becoming Collaborative Innovation Networks, organizations will increase performance and become more creative." --Kurt Wolf, Managing Director, UBS

"This book illustrates that collaboration is key for successful companies. It shows how collaboration and innovation extends into all aspects of daily business life. Applying the principles outlined in this book will help companies to innovate by working together and learning from each other in social networks." --Dirk Havighorst, Senior Manager Procurement & Supply, DaimlerChrysler

"Filled with real examples and practical suggestions, this thought-provoking book gives insightful guidance to anyone trying to harness the power of collaborative innovation unleashed by today's new communication technologies." --Thomas W. Malone, Director, MIT Center for Coordination Science, and Patrick J. McGovern Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management

<br>Peter A. Gloor is a Research Fellow at both the Center for Coordination Science at MIT's Sloan School of Management and the Center for Digital Strategies at Dartmouth University's Tuck School of Business, exploring Collabortive Innovation Networks. Until the end of 2002, Gloor was a Partner with Deliotte Consulting, leading its e-business practice for Europe; before that, he was a Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Section Leader of Software Engineering at Union Bank of Switzerland.<br>

Introduction: At the Tipping Point; 1. COINs and Their Benefits; 2. Collaborative Innovation Through Swarm Creativity; 3. The DNA of COINS; 4. Ethical Codes in Small Worlds; 5. Real-Life Examples: Lessons Learned from COINs; 6. COINs and Communications Technology; Appendix A CKN; Appendix B TeCFlow; Appendix C KFO