Understanding Crowdsourcing - the process and the contributors

Business professionals can utilize the insights provided in this book improve their understanding of the intermediary-mediated and virtual Crowdsourcing process. In-depth understanding of the different phases and their associated tasks of the Crowdsourcing process can help improve the effective application of Crowdsourcing for idea generation as well as a support tool for decision making. The findings illustrated in this book can assist companies to optimally integrate Crowdsourcing in an early stage of their innovation processes. Furthermore, they have practical implications for managing innovation-related online communities. Knowing the difference between an intermediary innovation community and an internal innovation community is valuable knowledge for a company deciding whether to create an internal community or to make use of existing innovation communities (which are usually fostered by intermediaries). Moreover, understanding the factors which motivate individuals to participate in and contribute to innovation communities can help anyone involved with Crowdsourcing to create more motivating environments to enhance collective innovation.