Crowdsourcing the Policy Cycle

TL;DR

This paper explores how crowdsourcing can be integrated into each stage of the policymaking process, providing nuanced insights into its potential and limitations.

Contribution

It systematically analyzes the application of crowdsourcing across all policy cycle stages, filling a research gap and offering a detailed framework for policymakers.

Findings

Crowdsourcing is applicable at multiple policy cycle stages.

Different crowdsourcing forms suit different policymaking needs.

Empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of crowdsourcing in policy development.

Abstract

Crowdsourcing is beginning to be used for policymaking. The wisdom of crowds [Surowiecki 2005], and crowdsourcing [Brabham 2008], are seen as new avenues that can shape all kinds of policy, from transportation policy [Nash 2009] to urban planning [Seltzer and Mahmoudi 2013], to climate policy. In general, many have high expectations for positive outcomes with crowdsourcing, and based on both anecdotal and empirical evidence, some of these expectations seem justified [Majchrzak and Malhotra 2013]. Yet, to our knowledge, research has yet to emerge that unpacks the different forms of crowdsourcing in light of each stage of the well-established policy cycle. This work addresses this research gap, and in doing so brings increased nuance to the application of crowdsourcing techniques for policymaking.