Bubbling Up the Good Ideas: A Two-Mode Network Analysis of an Intra-Organizational Idea Challenge. Issue 3 (9th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stephens, Bryan; Chen, Wenhong; Butler, John Sibley
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer-mediated communication. Volume 21:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 229
• Publication Date: 2016-05-09
• Subjects: Idea Challenge -- Crowdsourcing -- Computer-supported Cooperative Work -- Social Network Analysis -- Networks -- ERGM; Telematics -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.20285
• DOI: 10.1111/jcc4.12158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-6101

Abstract

Abstract: Organizations have been experimenting with intraorganizational crowdsourcing (IOC), yet the mechanisms of IOC production remain an underresearched topic. Drawing on a 2-mode ERGM, we examine structural mechanisms and individual-level factors that shape the network structure of idea generation and selection yielded by an IOC idea challenge in a global IT corporation. Results show a Matthew effect leading to 1) highly centralized employee participation around a few "superactive" employees who engage with many ideas and 2) highly centralized idea popularity with a few ideas attracting most employee attention. We find support for shared affiliations among employee-idea clusters in the first half of the participation, which is, however, less likely in the second half. We also find support for geographic homophily.