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Practice 1: Minimally Committed Knowledge Baton Passers

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Unleashing the Crowd

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Abstract

This first practice describes how the crowds participated. Our findings indicate that individual participants, on the average, offer fewer than two posts! Their posts are short knowledge fragments (such as only a few sentences). They are not engaged in extensive back-and-forth questioning. They offer minimal social support for others’ posts. It is almost as though the posts serve as knowledge batons in a knowledge relay race. The participants will not be the same throughout the race. As in a relay, the knowledge posts act as knowledge batons passed from one leg of the race to another, where the next participant is whomever is interested in getting the baton with no direct communication between the runners themselves. Each participant just takes the baton and keeps the innovation process moving forward.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See for example the many reviews on innovation teams: Gong, Y., Kim, T. Y., Lee, D. R., & Zhu, J. (2013). A multilevel model of team goal orientation, information exchange, and creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 56(3), 827–851; Amabile, T. M., & Pratt, M. G. (2016). The dynamic componential model of creativity and innovation in organizations: Making progress, making meaning. Research in Organizational Behavior, 36, 157–183; Jang, S. (2017). Cultural brokerage and creative performance in multicultural teams. Organization Science, 28(6), 993–1009; Thompson, L. L., & Wilson, E. R. (2015). Creativity in teams. Emerging trends in the social and behavioral sciences: An interdisciplinary, searchable, and linkable resource, 1–14; Sawyer, K. (2017). Group genius: The creative power of collaboration. Basic books; Edmondson, A. C., & Harvey, J. F. (2018). Cross-boundary teaming for innovation: Integrating research on teams and knowledge in organizations. Human Resource Management Review, 28(4), 347–360; Wang, J., Cheng, G. H. L., Chen, T., & Leung, K. (2019). Team creativity/innovation in culturally diverse teams: A meta-analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior; van Knippenberg, D. (2017). Team innovation. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4, 211–233.

  2. 2.

    Quotes are from the USAID’s Global Pulse Final Report. Ferguson, D.A. (2010) Global Pulse 2010: Insights and Ideas from Around the World. Washington, D.C., United States Agency for International Development.

  3. 3.

    Harvey, S. (2014). Creative synthesis: Exploring the process of extraordinary group creativity. Academy of Management Review, 39(3), 324–343; Carlile, P. R. (2002). A pragmatic view of knowledge and boundaries: Boundary objects in new product development. Organization science, 13(4), 442–455; Carlile, P. R. (2004). Transferring, translating, and transforming: An integrative framework for managing knowledge across boundaries. Organization science, 15(5), 555–568; Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & DeChurch, L. A. (2009). Information sharing and team performance: a meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 535–546. Tsoukas, H. (2009). A dialogical approach to the creation of new knowledge in organizations. Organization science, 20(6), 941–957; Nonaka, I., H. Takeuchi. 1995. The Knowledge-Creating Company. New York: Oxford University Press; Nonaka, I., Von Krogh, G., & Voelpel, S. (2006). Organizational knowledge creation theory: Evolutionary paths and future advances. Organization studies, 27(8), 1179–1208.

  4. 4.

    Ibid.

  5. 5.

    Bullinger, A. C., Neyer, A. K., Rass, M. & Moeslein, K. (2010) Community-based innovation contests: Where competition meets cooperation. Creativity and innovation management, 19(3), 390–303.

  6. 6.

    Lovelace, K., Shapiro, D. L., & Weingart, L. R. (2001). Maximizing cross-functional new product teams’ innovativeness and constraint adherence: A conflict communications perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 44(4), 779–793.

  7. 7.

    Grant, A. M., & Berry, J. W. (2011). The necessity of others is the mother of invention: Intrinsic and prosocial motivations, perspective taking, and creativity. Academy of management journal, 54(1), 73–96.

  8. 8.

    Nembhard, I. M., & Edmondson, A. C. (2006). Making it safe: The effects of leader inclusiveness and professional status on psychological safety and improvement efforts in health care teams. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27(7), 941–966.

  9. 9.

    Nahapiet, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage. Academy of management review, 23(2), 242–266.

  10. 10.

    Scott Page has written about the superadditivity of teams with respect to diversity in teams, although his focus is on how the diversity adds together, while our focus is on how the diversity inspires others and creates knowledge that can be passed around as a baton, rather than added together. Page, S. E. (2010). Diversity and complexity (Vol. 2). Princeton University Press; Page, S. E. (2007). Making the difference: Applying a logic of diversity. Academy of Management Perspectives, 21(4), 6–20.

  11. 11.

    Schemmann, B., Herrmann, A. M., Chappin, M. M., & Heimeriks, G. J. (2016). Crowdsourcing ideas: Involving ordinary users in the ideation phase of new product development. Research Policy, 45(6), 1145–1154; Frey, K., Lüthje, C., Haag, S., (2011). Whom should firms attract to open innovation platforms? The role of knowledge diversity and motivation. Long Range Plann. 44 (5–6), 397–420; Muhdi, L., Boutellier, R., (2011). Motivational factors affecting participation and contribution of members in two different Swiss innovation communities. Int. J. Innov. Manage. 15 (3), 543–562., Dahlander, L., Piezunka, H., (2014). Open to suggestions: how organizations elicit suggestions through proactive and reactive attention. Res. Policy 43 (5), 812–827.

  12. 12.

    Leimeister, J. M., Huber, M., Bretschneider, U., & Krcmar, H. (2009). Leveraging crowdsourcing: activation-supporting components for IT-based ideas competition. Journal of Management Information Systems, 26(1), 197–224; Füller, J., Hutter, K., & Faullant, R. (2011). Why co-creation experience matters? Creative experience and its impact on the quantity and quality of creative contributions. R&D Management, 41(3), 259–273.; Jeppesen, L.B., Frederiksen, L., (2006). Why do users contribute to firm-hosted user communities? The case of computer-controlled music instruments. Organ. Sci. 17, 45–64; Stahlbrost, A., Bergvall-Kareborn, B., (2011). Exploring users motivation in innovation communities. Int. J. Entrep. Innov. Manag. 14, 298–314; Fuller, J., (2006). Why consumers engage in virtual new product developments initiated by producers. Adv. Consum. Res. 33, 639–646; Boudreau, K. J., Lacetera, N., Lakhani, K. R., (2011). Incentives and problem uncertainty in innovation contests: an empirical analysis. Manag. Sci. 57, 843–863.

  13. 13.

    Amabile, T. M., & Pratt, M. G. (2016). The dynamic componential model of creativity and innovation in organizations: Making progress, making meaning. Research in Organizational Behavior, 36, 157–183.

  14. 14.

    Dahlander L, Frederiksen L, Rullani F. (2008). Online Communities and Open Innovation: Governance and Symbolic Value Creation. Industry and Innovation, 15: 115–123.

  15. 15.

    Boudreau, K. J., Lacetera, N., Lakhani, K.R., (2011). Incentives and problem uncertainty in innovation contests: an empirical analysis. Manag. Sci. 57, 843–863.

  16. 16.

    Frey, K., Lüthje, C., Haag, S., (2011). Whom should firms attract to open innovation platforms? The role of knowledge diversity and motivation. Long Range Plann. 44 (5–6), 397–420.

  17. 17.

    Mack, T., & Landau, C. (2015). Winners, losers, and deniers: Self-selection in crowd innovation contests and the roles of motivation, creativity, and skills. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 37, 52–64.

  18. 18.

    Faraj, S., Jarvenpaa, S.L., Majchrzak, A. (2011) Knowledge collaboration in online communities. Organization Science, 22(5), 1224–1239.

  19. 19.

    Tucci CL, Afuah A, Viscusi G, eds. (2018) Creating & capturing value through crowdsourcing. (Oxford, Oxford, UK).

  20. 20.

    Faraj, S., von Krogh, G., Monteiro, E., & Lakhani, K. R. (2016). Special section introduction—Online community as space for knowledge flows. Information systems research, 27(4), 668–684.

  21. 21.

    Malhotra, A. and Majchrzak, A. (2014) Managing crowds in innovation challenges. California Management Review, 56(4), 103–123.

  22. 22.

    Majchrzak, A., Neece, O. E., Cooper, L.P. (2001) Knowledge reuse for innovation—The Missing Focus in Knowledge Management: Results of a Case Analysis at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Academy of Management Best Paper, August.

  23. 23.

    Dougherty, D. (1992). Interpretive barriers to successful product innovation in large firms. Organization science, 3(2), 179–202.

References

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    Article  Google Scholar 

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    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullinger, A. C., Neyer, A. K., Rass, M., & Moeslein, K. (2010). Community-Based Innovation Contests: Where Competition Meets Cooperation. Creativity and Innovation Management, 19(3), 390–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlile, P. R. (2002). A Pragmatic View of Knowledge and Boundaries: Boundary Objects in New Product Development. Organization Science, 13(4), 442–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlile, P. R. (2004). Transferring, Translating, and Transforming: An Integrative Framework for Managing Knowledge Across Boundaries. Organization Science, 15(5), 555–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlander, L., & Piezunka, H. (2014). Open to Suggestions: How Organizations Elicit Suggestions Through Proactive and Reactive Attention. Research Policy, 43(5), 812–827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahlander, L., Frederiksen, L., & Rullani, F. (2008). Online Communities and Open Innovation: Governance and Symbolic Value Creation. Industry and Innovation, 15, 115–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dougherty, D. (1992). Interpretive Barriers to Successful Product Innovation in Large Firms. Organization Science, 3(2), 179–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmondson, A. C., & Harvey, J. F. (2018). Cross-Boundary Teaming for Innovation: Integrating Research on Teams and Knowledge in Organizations. Human Resource Management Review, 28(4), 347–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faraj, S., Jarvenpaa, S. L., & Majchrzak, A. (2011). Knowledge Collaboration in Online Communities. Organization Science, 22(5), 1224–1239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faraj, S., von Krogh, G., Monteiro, E., & Lakhani, K. R. (2016). Special Section Introduction – Online Community as Space for Knowledge Flows. Information Systems Research, 27(4), 668–684.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, D. A. (2010). Global Pulse 2010: Insights and Ideas from Around the World. Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, K., Lüthje, C., & Haag, S. (2011). Whom Should Firms Attract to Open Innovation Platforms? The Role of Knowledge Diversity and Motivation. Long Range Planning, 44(5–6), 397–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller, J. (2006). Why Consumers Engage in Virtual New Product Developments Initiated by Producers. Advances in Consumer Research, 33, 639–646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Füller, J., Hutter, K., & Faullant, R. (2011). Why Co-creation Experience Matters? Creative Experience and Its Impact on the Quantity and Quality of Creative Contributions. R&D Management, 41(3), 259–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong, Y., Kim, T. Y., Lee, D. R., & Zhu, J. (2013). A Multilevel Model of Team Goal Orientation, Information Exchange, and Creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 56(3), 827–851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, A. M., & Berry, J. W. (2011). The Necessity of Others Is the Mother of Invention: Intrinsic and Prosocial Motivations, Perspective Taking, and Creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 54(1), 73–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, S. (2014). Creative Synthesis: Exploring the Process of Extraordinary Group Creativity. Academy of Management Review, 39(3), 324–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jang, S. (2017). Cultural Brokerage and Creative Performance in Multicultural Teams. Organization Science, 28(6), 993–1009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, L. B., & Frederiksen, L. (2006). Why Do Users Contribute to Firm-Hosted User Communities? The Case of Computer-Controlled Music Instruments. Organization Science, 17, 45–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leimeister, J. M., Huber, M., Bretschneider, U., & Krcmar, H. (2009). Leveraging Crowdsourcing: Activation-Supporting Components for IT-Based Ideas Competition. Journal of Management Information Systems, 26(1), 197–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovelace, K., Shapiro, D. L., & Weingart, L. R. (2001). Maximizing Cross-Functional New Product Teams’ Innovativeness and Constraint Adherence: A Conflict Communications Perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 44(4), 779–793.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mack, T., & Landau, C. (2015). Winners, Losers, and Deniers: Self-selection in Crowd Innovation Contests and the Roles of Motivation, Creativity, and Skills. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 37, 52–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majchrzak, A., Neece, O. E., & Cooper, L. P. (2001). Knowledge Reuse for Innovation – The Missing Focus in Knowledge Management: Results of a Case Analysis at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Academy of Management Best Paper, August.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra, A., & Majchrzak, A. (2014). Managing Crowds in Innovation Challenges. California Management Review, 56(4), 103–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & DeChurch, L. A. (2009). Information Sharing and Team Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 535–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhdi, L., & Boutellier, R. (2011). Motivational Factors Affecting Participation and Contribution of Members in Two Different Swiss Innovation Communities. International Journal of Innovation Management, 15(3), 543–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahapiet, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, and the Organizational Advantage. Academy of Management Review, 23(2), 242–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nembhard, I. M., & Edmondson, A. C. (2006). Making It Safe: The Effects of Leader Inclusiveness and Professional Status on Psychological Safety and Improvement Efforts in Health Care Teams. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27(7), 941–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The Knowledge-Creating Company. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka, I., Von Krogh, G., & Voelpel, S. (2006). Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory: Evolutionary Paths and Future Advances. Organization Studies, 27(8), 1179–1208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page, S. E. (2007). Making the Difference: Applying a Logic of Diversity. Academy of Management Perspectives, 21(4), 6–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page, S. E. (2010). Diversity and Complexity (Vol. 2). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, K. (2017). Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schemmann, B., Herrmann, A. M., Chappin, M. M., & Heimeriks, G. J. (2016). Crowdsourcing Ideas: Involving Ordinary Users in the Ideation Phase of New Product Development. Research Policy, 45(6), 1145–1154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stahlbrost, A., & Bergvall-Kareborn, B. (2011). Exploring Users Motivation in Innovation Communities. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 14, 298–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, L. L., & Wilson, E. R. (2015). Creativity in Teams. In Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: An Interdisciplinary, Searchable, and Linkable Resource (pp. 1–14). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons..

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsoukas, H. (2009). A Dialogical Approach to the Creation of New Knowledge in Organizations. Organization Science, 20(6), 941–957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucci, C. L., Afuah, A., & Viscusi, G. (2018). Creating & Capturing Value Through Crowdsourcing. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • van Knippenberg, D. (2017). Team Innovation. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 4, 211–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Cheng, G. H. L., Chen, T., & Leung, K. (2019). Team Creativity/Innovation in Culturally Diverse Teams: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40, 693–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Ann Majchrzak

  2. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Arvind Malhotra

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  1. Ann Majchrzak
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Correspondence to Ann Majchrzak .

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Majchrzak, A., Malhotra, A. (2020). Practice 1: Minimally Committed Knowledge Baton Passers. In: Unleashing the Crowd. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25557-2_3

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