Why has crowdsourcing become popular in recent years?

Crowdsourcing has become popular in recent years for a number of reasons. First, it allows companies to access a large pool of talent and resources that would not be possible otherwise. Second, it is a relatively inexpensive way to get work done. Third, it can be a very fast and efficient way to get things done.

Here are some specific examples of how crowdsourcing is being used today:

• Companies like Amazon and Netflix use crowdsourcing to get product reviews and recommendations.
• Companies like Wikipedia and Stack Overflow use crowdsourcing to create and maintain content.
• Companies like 99designs and Toptal use crowdsourcing to find creative talent and freelancers.

Disadvantages of crowdsourcing

While crowdsourcing has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider. One disadvantage is that the quality of work can vary depending on the crowd. Another disadvantage is that it can be difficult to manage and coordinate a large group of people. Additionally, crowdsourcing can be used to exploit workers, particularly in developing countries.

When might a company be better off taking a more limited approach to open innovation?

There are a few situations where a company might be better off taking a more limited approach to open innovation. First, if the company has a strong internal innovation culture, it may be able to generate more creative and innovative ideas internally. Second, if the company has a unique core competency, it may be better to keep this competency in-house. Third, if the company’s products or services are highly confidential, it may be better to avoid crowdsourcing altogether.

Examples of companies that use crowdsourcing

Here are some examples of companies that use crowdsourcing:

• Amazon: Amazon uses crowdsourcing to get product reviews and recommendations. This helps Amazon to improve its product selection and to provide a better customer experience.
• Netflix: Netflix uses crowdsourcing to get feedback on its new movies and TV shows. This helps Netflix to produce content that is more likely to be popular with its users.
• Wikipedia: Wikipedia is a crowdsourced encyclopedia. Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia by creating or editing articles. This has helped to make Wikipedia one of the most comprehensive and informative sources of information on the internet.
• Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow is a crowdsourced question-and-answer website for programmers. Anyone can ask questions on Stack Overflow, and other users can answer them. This has helped Stack Overflow to become one of the most valuable resources for programmers.
• 99designs: 99designs is a crowdsourced design platform. Companies can post design contests on 99designs, and designers from all over the world can submit designs. This allows companies to get high-quality designs at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional design agency.
• Toptal: Toptal is a crowdsourced platform for freelancers. Companies can hire freelancers from Toptal for a variety of tasks, including software development, design, and writing. This allows companies to find and hire qualified freelancers quickly and easily.

Conclusion

Crowdsourcing is a powerful tool that can be used to access a large pool of talent and resources. However, it is important to be aware of the disadvantages of crowdsourcing before using it. In some cases, a company may be better off taking a more limited approach to open innovation.

Outside sources and references

• Crowdsourcing: A Guide for Managers: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320744080_How_to_Manage_Crowdsourcing_Platforms_Effectively
• The Advantages and Disadvantages of Crowdsourcing: https://www.herox.com/blog/972-the-top-5-crowdsourcing-advantages-and-disadvantag
• When Should Companies Use Crowdsourcing?: https://www.braineet.com/blog/crowdsourcing
• Examples of Companies That Use Crowdsourcing: https://www.cadcrowd.com/blog/18-companies-that-use-crowdsourcing-for-new-product-design-prototype-innovation/

Mintzberg’s Incremental Decision Process Model

Three major phases

1. Identification: The first phase is to identify the problem or opportunity. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as brainstorming, market research, and customer feedback.
2. Development: The second phase is to develop solutions to the problem or opportunity. This can involve generating and evaluating different ideas, as well as conducting pilot tests and feasibility studies.
3. Implementation: The third phase is to implement the chosen solution. This involves putting the solution into place and monitoring its results.

Recycling through phases

Organizations may recycle through one or more phases of the incremental decision process model for a number of reasons. For example, an organization may identify a new problem or opportunity while implementing a solution to another problem. Or