A Framework for Using Crowdsourcing in Government

Authors

Benjamin Y. Clark, Cleveland State UniversityFollow
Nicholas C. Zingale, Cleveland State UniversityFollow
Joseph Logan, American University - School of Public Affairs
Jeffrey Brudney, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Wilmington

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

7-8-2013

Publication Title

Social Science Research Network (SSRN)

Abstract

In recent years the concept and reality of crowdsourcing have been buzzing in the private sector. Crowdsourcing is a concept in which the crowd (or general public) is used as a source of labor, idea generation, or problem identification. This crowd is typically engaging online, though we extend the definition to include all telecommunication technologies.

As with any good private sector practice there is now some pushing for crowdsourcing to be used in government. This paper provides an overview of the concept of crowdsourcing, examples of its use in the private and public sectors, and develops a framework for how governments can crowdsourcing to solve problems or engage with their citizens. Our framework is illustrated with a number of cases from current or past uses of crowdsourcing in government.

Comments

Social Science Research Network (SSRN) Working Papers series: SSRN-id1868283

Repository Citation

Clark, Benjamin Y.; Zingale, Nicholas C.; Logan, Joseph; and Brudney, Jeffrey, "A Framework for Using Crowdsourcing in Government" (2013). All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications. 0 1 2 3 1231.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/urban_facpub/1231

Original Citation

Clark, Benjamin Y. and Zingale, Nicholas and Logan, Joseph and Brudney, Jeffrey L., A Framework for Using Crowdsourcing in Government (July 8, 2013). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1868283.