Leveraging Crowdsourcing - Theory-driven Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Activation-Supporting Components for IT-based Idea Competitions

Abstract

Idea competitions seem to be a promising tool for crowdsourcing and open innovation processes, especially for B2B software companies. Active participation of potential lead users is the key to success. A look at existing idea competitions in the software field leads to the conclu- sion that many IT-based idea competitions fail to meet requirements upon which active partici- pation is established. Based on findings in the literature and the researchers experience, this article describes how activation-enabling functionalities can be systematically designed and implemented in an IT- based idea competition for ERP software. We evaluated the outcomes of these design measures and found that participation can be supported using a two step model. The components of the model support incentives and motives of users. Incentives and motives of the users then support the process of activation and consequently participation throughout the idea competition. This contributes to the successful implementation and maintenance of the idea competition thereby providing support for the development of promising innovative ideas. The article concludes with a discussion on further activation supporting components yet to be implemented and points to rich possibilities for future research in these areas.

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