Reflections on the 2022 AMR Decade Award: crowdsourcing as a solution to distant search

Question 1

What was “Afuah, A., & Tucci, C. L. (2023). Reflections on the 2022 AMR Decade Award: Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search” about?

Answer 1

This article reflects on the authors’ foundational 2012 paper, “Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search,” which won the 2022 AMR Decade Award. The paper originally explored how crowdsourcing can yield superior solutions compared to traditional problem-solving mechanisms (hierarchies, hybrids, and markets with ex ante contracts).

Question 2

What is “crowdsourcing”?

Answer 2

crowd + outsourcing; represents the act of a company/institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined (and generally large) network of people in the form of an “open call”; crucial components are the “open call” and “large network of potential laborers”

Question 3

What is a “crowd”?

Answer 3

an undefined (and generally large) group of people/entities/orgs/institutions; little is known about the specific attributes since the crowd is not well defined, its size, or its members

Question 4

What is “ex ante”?

Answer 4

means “before the event”; “ex ante contract” means a contract agreed upon before the problem is solved

Question 5

What is “outsourcing”?

Answer 5

get someone else to solve the problem; a supplier (ie. Ex ante contract)

Question 6

What are the two main types of crowdsourcing?

Answer 6

1) Tournament-Based - solvers compete individually and a winner is chosen (ex/ ad creation contest)
2) Collaboration-Based - solvers collaborate to aggregate solutions into a cohesive outcome (ex/ Wikipedia)

Question 7

What is the conclusion of “Afuah, A., & Tucci, C. L. (2023). Reflections on the 2022 AMR Decade Award: Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search”?

Answer 7

This reflection reinforces the value of crowdsourcing as a transformative governance mechanism, enabling superior problem-solving through access to diverse expertise and innovative solutions. The framework and insights offered provide actionable guidance for firms aiming to leverage crowdsourcing strategically.

Question 8

What are the managerial implications of “Afuah, A., & Tucci, C. L. (2023). Reflections on the 2022 AMR Decade Award: Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search”?

Answer 8

1. Strategic Use of Crowdsourcing:
   o Organizations should align crowdsourcing with their strategic goals, selecting appropriate models (e.g., tournament-based for ideation, collaboration-based for content creation).
2. Building Complementary Assets:
   o Seekers need robust systems (e.g., distribution networks, marketing channels) to commercialize crowdsourced solutions effectively.
3. Leveraging AI:
   o Firms should integrate AI tools to improve problem definition, participant selection, and solution evaluation.
4. Overcoming Organizational Barriers:
   o Address cultural challenges like the “Not Invented Here” syndrome to foster openness to external solutions.

Question 9

What are the areas of future research in “Afuah, A., & Tucci, C. L. (2023). Reflections on the 2022 AMR Decade Award: Crowdsourcing as a Solution to Distant Search”?

Answer 9

1. AI and Crowdsourcing:
   o Investigate how AI impacts the efficiency, quality, and scalability of crowdsourced solutions.
2. Transaction Cost Theory:
   o Explore why crowdsourcing succeeds in contexts where traditional theory suggests hierarchies should prevail.
3. Incentive Structures:
   o Examine how diverse motivations (e.g., monetary rewards, reputation, altruism) influence participation and outcomes.
4. Crowdsourcing Ecosystems:
   o Analyze the role of intermediaries (e.g., InnoCentive) in facilitating effective crowdsourcing.

Question 10

What are the 4 governance mechanism alternatives?

Answer 10

 Hierarchies: Solve problems internally.
 Markets: Outsource to designated agents under pre-agreed contracts.
 Hybrids: Combine aspects of hierarchies and markets.
 Crowdsourcing: No pre-agreed contracts; solvers self-select and participate voluntarily.