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Crowdsourcing as an Innovation Strategy: A Study on Innovation Platforms in Austria and Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Milica SUNDIC

    (A1 Telekom Austria, Vienna, Austria)

  • Karl-Heinz LEITNER

    (Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

In this paper we present results from a study on three innovation platforms in Switzerland and Austria. We conducted studies of crowdsourcing platforms run by the Swiss 'Atizo.com', 3M Austria's 'Zukunft-Innovation' and A1 Telekom Austria's 'A1 Innovations' including interviews with the companies and community members. Motives and incentive-systems for crowdsourcing are analysed from the participant's as well as from the company's point of view. Further, the study discusses the risks of crowdsourcing and the importance of intellectual property in an age of rapid idea diffusion and imitation. The examined case studies show overall positive experiences with crowdsourcing and crowd-based idea-contests. However, at the same time the analysed open communities also show a tendency for a closure as we found evidence that over a longer period of time a small group of actors emerges, which provides similar problem solving strategies repeatedly.

Suggested Citation

  • Milica SUNDIC & Karl-Heinz LEITNER, 2013. "Crowdsourcing as an Innovation Strategy: A Study on Innovation Platforms in Austria and Switzerland," Communications & Strategies, IDATE, Com&Strat dept., vol. 1(89), pages 55-72, 1st quart.
    • Handle: RePEc:idt:journl:cs8903
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Josh Lerner & Jean Tirole, 2002. "Some Simple Economics of Open Source," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 197-234, June.
    2. Maria J. Antikainen & Heli K. Vaataja, 2010. "Rewarding in open innovation communities – how to motivate members," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(4), pages 440-456.
    3. Steffen Roth, 2009. "New for whom? Initial images from the social dimension of innovation," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(4), pages 231-252.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    crowdsourcing; innovation platforms; motivation; intellectual property.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L24 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Contracting Out; Joint Ventures
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management

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