Crowdsourcing: a tool for organizational knowledge creation

Abstract

Crowdsourcing is a new, online-based, way of outsourcing that relies on large and undefined networks of people. This process has been used by several successful organizations to solve their internal Innovation challenges with very good results. Assuming that, at a fundamental level, Innovation results from the creation and application of organizational knowledge, this work aims to better understand, from the firm’s perspective, how can Crowdsourcing be used to enhance the creation of organizational knowledge. Therefore, we analysed Crowdsourcing through the lenses of the theory of organizational knowledge creation. Based on the main elements of the theory, our analysis raised theoretical assumptions that serve to question some practical aspects of the Crowdsourcing initiatives and may serve as basis for future research and practical experiments. Our analysis shows that Crowdsourcing for Innovation, has all the characteristics of a tool for organizational knowledge creation through the endogenisation of knowledge, ideas and expertise of external individuals. Nevertheless, this theoretical perspective of Crowdsourcing highlights a rather complex process that requires organizational effort and resources throughout all the process. Although a critical part of the work, in a Crowdsourcing initiative is developed outside of the company, the seeker should not neglect its efforts, doing so may result in unsuccessful Crowdsourcing experiences.