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Crowdsourcing not all sourced by the crowd: An observation on the behavior of Wikipedia participants

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  • Lee, Jung
  • Seo, DongBack

Abstract

This study investigates the behavioral patterns of Wikipedia participants to obtain a picture of internal dynamics of the world's largest crowdsourcing platform. It observes the responses of people when “other” people enter a crowd where internal and external controls are mostly absent. From the analysis of 342 Wikipedia articles, this study shows that the overall tone of Wikipedia articles is mostly decided by a dominant few rather than by a trivial many, and such domination worsens as the number of participant increases and the article matures. This result contradicts a common belief on crowdsourcing that Wikipedia would reflect the voices of a vast majority, obtain a balanced solution, and attain democracy on the Internet. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature by analyzing how effectively Wikipedia functions as a crowdsourcing platform within the context. It also implies that developing a proper crowdsourcing strategy such as effective management of a platform is necessary, especially when an organization has a specific goal to achieve throughout a project.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Jung & Seo, DongBack, 2016. "Crowdsourcing not all sourced by the crowd: An observation on the behavior of Wikipedia participants," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 55, pages 14-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:55-56:y:2016:i::p:14-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2016.05.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark Boons & Daan Stam & Harry G. Barkema, 2015. "Feelings of Pride and Respect as Drivers of Ongoing Member Activity on Crowdsourcing Platforms," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(6), pages 717-741, September.
    2. Besiki Stvilia & Michael B. Twidale & Linda C. Smith & Les Gasser, 2008. "Information quality work organization in wikipedia," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 59(6), pages 983-1001, April.
    3. Garcia Martinez, Marian, 2015. "Solver engagement in knowledge sharing in crowdsourcing communities: Exploring the link to creativity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 1419-1430.
    4. Yuxiang Zhao & Qinghua Zhu, 2014. "Evaluation on crowdsourcing research: Current status and future direction," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 417-434, July.
    5. Kiesler, Sara & Sproull, Lee, 1992. "Group decision making and communication technology," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 96-123, June.
    6. Prpić, John & Shukla, Prashant P. & Kietzmann, Jan H. & McCarthy, Ian P., 2015. "How to work a crowd: Developing crowd capital through crowdsourcing," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 58(1), pages 77-85.
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    Cited by:

    1. O'Leary, Kevin & Gleasure, Rob & O'Reilly, Philip & Feller, Joseph, 2022. "Introducing the concept of creative ancestry as a means of increasing perceived fairness and satisfaction in online collaboration: An experimental study," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    2. Natalicchio, A. & Messeni Petruzzelli, A. & Garavelli, A.C., 2017. "Innovation problems and search for solutions in crowdsourcing platforms – A simulation approach," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 64, pages 28-42.

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