Integrating crowdsourcing with holistic innovation management

Abstract

The purpose of this conceptual study is to introduce a generic crowdsourcing model and apply it to an organization’s holistic innovation management. Organizations are in innovation competition and they need to manage innovations holistically and provide innovations that have a demand in the market. Earlier empirical studies have indicated the effectiveness of crowdsourcing in producing innovations. Crowdsourcing and its utilization in innovation-related management areas exist; however, a holistic approach to innovation management and crowdsourcing has not been presented. This article fills the research gap, providing a theoretical model based on earlier empirical research. The conceptual model was broadly verified in six case study organizations which indicate the conceptual model’s usefulness in practice. Organizations may utilize crowdsourcing in several ways to provide innovations with customer-based values.

Keywords:

• crowdsourcing
• industrial management
• innovation management
• project management
• strategic management