U.K.’s Pearson Tests the Group Dynamic for a ‘Wiki’ Book

In a move that could shake up the book industry, publishing giant Pearson PLC is joining with two top business schools to create a business book authored and edited by a “wiki” — an online community dedicated to writing.

The effort is inspired, in part, by the best-known wiki-produced work — Wikipedia, a not-for-profit online encyclopedia. Despite occasional hiccups, Wikipedia is increasingly regarded as a reliable source for information, aided by community-enforced rules that it can’t contain either personal points of view or original research.

In general, a wiki is an online site that lets users add and edit content. The name is based on a Hawaiian term meaning “rapidly” — as in “wiki wiki.”

The wiki book, produced by a community of business experts and managers, will be called “We Are Smarter Than Me.” It will explore how businesses can use online communities, consumer-generated media such as blogs, and other Web content to help in their marketing, pricing, research and service.

Source: Wall Street Journal (free)

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