Crowd Science: The Organization of Scientific Research in Open Collaborative Projects Chiara Franzoni DIG, Politecnico di Milano P. Leonardo da Vinci 32, Milano, 20133
[email protected] Henry Sauermann Georgia Institute of Technology, Scheller College of Business 800 W Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
[email protected] Abstract A rapidly growing amount of scientific research is done in an open collaborative fashion, in projects that are sometimes labeled as “crowd science”, “citizen science”, or “networked science”. This paper seeks to gain a more systematic understanding of crowd science and to provide scholars with a conceptual framework and a research agenda for studying this important phenomenon. First, we briefly present three case examples that span different fields of science and illustrate the heterogeneity concerning what crowd science projects do and how they are organized. Second, in an attempt to more clearly define what crowd science is, we identify organizational features that are common among crowd science projects while distinguishing them from projects in “traditional” science as well as other emerging knowledge production regimes. Third, we draw on the broader organizational literature to discuss potential organizational challenges crowd science may face, and conjecture how these challenges may be addressed. Finally, we conclude with a brief agenda for future research. Given the considerable promise crowd science holds, this discussion should be of interest not only to science and innovation scholars, but also to scientists as well as to policy makers, funding agencies, and science-based firms. Keywords: crowd science; community-based production; research collaboration; knowledge disclosure; open science. PRELIMINARY DRAFT – PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE; COMMENTS WELCOME We are grateful for comments and suggestions from Rhiannon Crain, Carolin Haeussler, Alex Oettl, Cristina Rossi-Lamastra, Arfon Smith, Jose Urbina, and participants in the 10th International Open and User Innovation Workshop.