Research Articles

Factors Affecting the Practices of External Problem Solvers in Broadcast Search

Authors

  • Vincenzo Corvello University of Calabria, Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering
  • Gianpaolo Iazzolino University of Calabria, Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242013000200014

Abstract

In Broadcast Search (BS) an organization discloses the details of a problem to a community of potential solvers. An online intermediary often manages the process. This study investigates the problem solving practices of solvers. In particular it focuses on the intermediation services and knowledge sources thy use during BS. A questionnaire was distributed to successful solvers. Ninety-three complete questionnaires were returned. The results show that intermediation services can be divided in 3 categories: managing interfaces, supporting collaboration and supporting problem solving. Similarly the sources of knowledge can be divided in: institutional, social and output-oriented sources. The results also show that differences in solver’s use of intermediation services and knowledge sources can be explained taking into account solvers’ experience, organizational context as well as the nature of the proposed solution

Keywords:

  • open innovation
  • crowdsourcing
  • broadcast search
  • contingent factors
  • innovation intermediary
  • innovation contests
  • practices
  • organizational context
  • inventors

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Author Biographies

Vincenzo Corvello, University of Calabria, Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering

Vincenzo Corvello, PhD, is assistant professor at the Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria. He holds a PhD in Business and Economic Engineering. He teaches Project Management within the Degree in Management Engineering. His research interests are in the fields of project management, innovation processes organization and management; organization design. He published papers in international and Italian journals and chapters in international books. His research has been supported by national and international research grants.

Gianpaolo Iazzolino, University of Calabria, Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering

Gianpaolo Iazzolino is Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering at the University of Calabria, Italy.

He received his Ph.D. in Management Engineering and he is currently a member of the Faculty of Management Engineering at the University of Calabria.

His research interests are in Business Performance Evaluation Models, Evaluation of Innovation and Intangibles, Knowledge Management Systems.

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Received

2013-03-28

Accepted

2013-04-09

Published

2013-05-07

How to Cite

Corvello, V., & Iazzolino, G. (2013). Factors Affecting the Practices of External Problem Solvers in Broadcast Search. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 8(2), 166–177. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242013000200014

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2013)

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2013 Journal of Technology Management & Innovation

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

 

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