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Towards a characterization of crowdsourcing practices

Author

Listed:
  • Eric Schenk
  • Claude Guittard

Abstract

The word Crowdsourcing ?a compound contraction of Crowd and Outsourcing, was used by Howe in order to define outsourcing to the crowd. Beyond cost, benefits for the company can be substantial. It can externalize the risk of failure and it only pays for products or services that meet its expectations. The Crowdsourcing phenomenon covers heterogeneous situations and it has inspired a number of authors. However, we are still lacking a general and synthetic view of this concept. The aim of our work is to characterize Crowdsourcing in its various aspects. First we define of Crowdsourcing, and provide examples that illustrate the diversity of Crowdsourcing practices and we present similarities and differences between Crowdsourcing and established theories (Open Innovation, User Innovation and Open Source Software). Then, we propose and illustrate a typology of Crowdsourcing practices based on two criteria: the integrative or selective nature of the process and the type of tasks that are crowd sourced (simple, complex and creative tasks). In either case, the client firm seeks to mobilize external competencies. Relying upon the crowd can be an adequate method, because of its unique characteristics that are fostered by the Internet. Finally, we present some potential benefits and pitfalls of Crowdsourcing. JEL Codes: O32, L17, L24, L29, M19

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Schenk & Claude Guittard, 2011. "Towards a characterization of crowdsourcing practices," Journal of Innovation Economics, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(1), pages 93-107.
    • Handle: RePEc:cai:jiedbu:jie_007_0093
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Terrence E., 2017. "Sensor-based entrepreneurship: A framework for developing new products and services," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 819-830.
    2. Schenk, Eric & Guittard, Claude & Pénin, Julien, 2019. "Open or proprietary? Choosing the right crowdsourcing platform for innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 303-310.
    3. Barbosu, Sandra & Gans, Joshua S., 2022. "Storm crowds: Evidence from Zooniverse on crowd contribution design," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    4. Palacios, Miguel & Martinez-Corral, Alberto & Nisar, Arsalan & Grijalvo, Mercedes, 2016. "Crowdsourcing and organizational forms: Emerging trends and research implications," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1834-1839.
    5. Cappa, Francesco & Oriani, Raffaele & Pinelli, Michele & De Massis, Alfredo, 2019. "When does crowdsourcing benefit firm stock market performance?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    6. Ma, Yujie & Du, Gang & Jiao, Roger J., 2020. "Optimal crowdsourcing contracting for reconfigurable process planning in open manufacturing: A bilevel coordinated optimization approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    7. Albors-Garrigos, Jose, 2020. "Barriers and enablers for innovation in the retail sector: Co-innovating with the customer. A case study in grocery retailing," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    8. Pee, L.G. & Koh, E. & Goh, M., 2018. "Trait motivations of crowdsourcing and task choice: A distal-proximal perspective," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 28-41.
    9. Herm, Steffen & Callsen-Bracker, Hans-Markus & Kreis, Henning, 2014. "When the crowd evaluates soccer players’ market values: Accuracy and evaluation attributes of an online community," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 484-492.
    10. Ramón Campos-Blázquez, Juan & Rubio-Andrada, Luis & Soledad Celemín-Pedroche, María, 2023. "Voices from within. To what extent can internal crowdsourcing drive a change in organizational culture?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crowdsourcing; Web 2.0; problem solving; creativity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • L17 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Open Source Products and Markets
    • L24 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Contracting Out; Joint Ventures
    • L29 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Other
    • M19 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Other

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