By Stephen Baker

Free Labor

Volunteer labor is a crucial component of the Internet economy. Sites like YouTube (GOOG) and ThisNext grow almost exclusively on content provided for free. From Yahoo (YHOO) to the New York Times Co. (NYT), executives are looking for the public—volunteer workers—to contribute their smarts and guidance. Researchers are studying how potential volunteers respond to a wide variety of incentives, from contests to simple thank-you notes. In this downturn, companies' ability to harness free labor could prove to be vital—even the difference between survivors and roadkill.