Crowdsourcing in the Fuzzy Front End of innovation

This paper begins presenting the different ways in which crowdsourcing could be adopted in the context of innovation. We then focus on its potential use in the Fuzzy Front End (FFE). An extant literature review allows us to identify the main success factors, issues, and challenges that should be considered if crowdsourcing is to be implemented into the FFE. We discuss what conditions could encourage or constrain its use as a strategic alternative in a more generalized way in the near future. Our study led us to many questions not yet explored in the research of Crowdsourcing, considering its specific use in the FFE. This paper contributes to the incorporation of non-traditional means in the management of innovation, because it proposes ways to integrate the theoretical and empirical findings about crowdsourcing with the management of the Fuzzy Front End. We also suggest some alternatives for further empirical research.