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Towards a characterization of crowdsourcing practices

Author

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  • Eric Schenk

    (LGeco - Laboratoire de Génie de la Conception - INSA Strasbourg - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - Strasbourg - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, INSA Strasbourg - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - Strasbourg - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées)

  • Claude Guittard

    (BETA - Bureau d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - UNISTRA - Université de Strasbourg - UL - Université de Lorraine - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The word Crowdsourcing -a compound contraction of Crowd and Outsourcing, was used by Howe in order to define outsourcing to the crowd. 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 crowdsourced (simple, complex and creative tasks). Finally, we present some potential benefits and pitfalls of Crowdsourcing.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Schenk & Claude Guittard, 2011. "Towards a characterization of crowdsourcing practices," Post-Print halshs-00439256, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00439256
    DOI: 10.3917/jie.007.0093
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00439256v3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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).
    3. 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).
    4. 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.
    5. 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).
    6. Brown, Terrence E., 2017. "Sensor-based entrepreneurship: A framework for developing new products and services," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 819-830.
    7. Barbosu, Sandra & Gans, Joshua S., 2022. "Storm crowds: Evidence from Zooniverse on crowd contribution design," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.

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