This thesis has identified several influencing factors why start-up companies are not using crowdsourcing opportunities for their business development.
The author has reviewed different literature sources and theories, identified critical factors, developed a theoretical framework and set two research questions: To what extent are Start-ups aware of crowdsourcing opportunities as business development tools? How can Start-ups apply crowdsourcing principles for their business development?
The author analysed a survey, which consisted of 350 respondents, a case study was used to see how companies are using crowdsourcing for their business development and, using this data and framework, a conclusion and recommendation have been made. The data was evaluated using Cronbach alpha.
Table of Contents
1. Literature review and Theoretical framework
1.1. Crowdsourcing
1.1.1. Crowdsourcing beneficieries
1.1.2. Forms of crowdsourcing
1.1.3. Conceptual model of crowdsourcing
1.1.4. The crowdsourcing process
1.2. Open innovation
1.3. Social network theory
1.4. Sharing economy
1.5. Start-ups
1.5.1. Crowdsourcing in Start-ups
1.6. Research gap
1.7. Theoretical framework
1.7.1. Dependent and independent variables in research
1.7.2. Development of research question
2. Description of investigation, analysis and interpretation of results
2.1. Description of investigation
2.1.2. Findings from survey
2.1.3. SPSS Software results
2.3. Analysis of case study
2.4. Crowdsourcing platforms
2.4.1. Crowdsourcing Platforms and what is needed to join
2.4.2. Observation of crowdsourcing platform
Conclusion
Recommendation
Research Objectives and Core Topics
This master's thesis aims to identify the factors influencing why start-up companies underutilize crowdsourcing opportunities in their business development. By conducting a literature review, developing a theoretical framework, and performing empirical analysis through both surveys and case studies, the research explores how start-ups can effectively integrate crowdsourcing principles.
- Awareness of crowdsourcing opportunities as a tool for business development.
- Application of crowdsourcing models (e.g., crowd contests, microtasking, crowdfunding) in start-up environments.
- Evaluation of influential factors such as cost-efficiency, time management, and human resources.
- Practical implementation strategies through analysis of real-world case studies and platforms like Upwork and LEGO Ideas.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Crowdsourcing
For crowdsourcing there are more than only one terms used to describe what exactly it is. In following part of this work, you will find several authors thoughts which author of this master thesis will compare to understand better crowdsourcing idea. This word crowd and outsourcing is meaning that they are some sources who are coming for out or new.
As Grabs(2013) is explaining Crowdsourcing is the creation of the word "crowd", which stands for a large, undefined group of people, as well as of "outsourcing" which is the contracting out of a business process.
Similar to this definition also thought work author with explanation of this two words who are made together, but to understand it deeper, in following work there will be several other authors with their definitions.
But to understand it more clearly let see what does crowdsourcing means by (E.Schenk, C.Guittard 2009). All of them involves people from outside the business, but thanks to technology they are all connected, he defines crowdsourcing as a method of distributing work to a large group of workers or individuals who work for or don't work for an organization for purposes of improved decision making, completing massive jobs or projects. He says crowdsourcing simply meant outsourcing the crowd. He aimed at characterizing crowdsourcing in a management perspective. For example, terms open innovation and crowdsourcing at the first they follow the same paradigm, they both concepts reach out people from outside the company, distributing knowledge and let outsiders of the company be the one who are responsible for research and development. Crowdsourcing has lot of different uses not only innovation and it focuses both on individuals and group of people. Open innovation on the other hand does only focus on the innovation process. Other than crowdsourcing, open innovation cannot be seen as a form of outsourcing.
Summary of Chapters
1. Literature review and Theoretical framework: This chapter reviews existing academic literature on crowdsourcing, open innovation, and start-up dynamics to establish a conceptual foundation.
2. Description of investigation, analysis and interpretation of results: This section details the methodology, analyzes quantitative data from surveys and qualitative evidence from case studies, and interprets these findings to answer the research questions.
Keywords
Crowdsourcing, Start-up, Business development, Open innovation, Collective intelligence, Crowdfunding, Microtasking, Macrotasking, Case study, Survey, SPSS, Entrepreneurship, Problem solving, Human Resources, Platform economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on investigating the factors that influence start-up companies regarding their utilization of crowdsourcing as a tool for business development.
What are the central thematic areas?
The core themes include crowdsourcing strategies, open innovation, start-up growth dynamics, and the practical application of crowdsourcing platforms.
What is the main research question?
The thesis addresses two questions: To what extent are start-ups aware of crowdsourcing opportunities, and how can start-ups apply these principles to their development?
Which research methodology is employed?
The author uses a deductive research approach, combining quantitative methods (online survey of 350 respondents) and qualitative methods (case studies and platform observations).
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers theoretical definitions, the conceptual model of crowdsourcing, start-up limitations, an analysis of empirical survey results, and practical case studies of companies like Airdog and LEGO.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Crowdsourcing, Start-up, Business development, Open Innovation, and Collective Intelligence.
How does crowdsourcing impact cost efficiency in start-ups?
The study indicates that crowdsourcing allows start-ups to access specialized skills and labor at lower costs compared to traditional hiring, making it a highly cost-efficient tool for product development.
What did the analysis of the LEGO case study reveal?
The LEGO case demonstrates how mature companies successfully leverage long-term crowdsourcing platforms to generate new product ideas from their community, fostering innovation through fan engagement.
Why are start-ups sometimes hesitant to use crowdsourcing?
The research identifies barriers such as lack of information, fears regarding the loss of intellectual property or idea theft, and concerns about the quality control of crowd-submitted work.
- Citation du texte
- Karlis Vilmanis (Auteur), 2018, Crowdsourcing practise in Start-Up development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/430953
