Value co‐creation through collective intelligence in the public sector

TLDR

Profit‑motivated internet‑based collaborative ventures such as Innocentive, VenCorps, and Threadless have spurred governments to launch public sector initiatives like Open.gov, Peer 2 Patent, and innovation.ED.gov that leverage collaborative internet media to foster collective intelligence and co‑create value. This study reviews recent U.S. federal and EU public sector initiatives through the lens of the Collective Intelligence Genome framework, examines its applicability to not‑for‑profit contexts, and offers a means for researchers and practitioners to assess value, potential impact, and make comparisons.

Abstract

Purpose On the basis of the Collective Intelligence Genome framework, which was developed to describe private, for profit ventures, this study aims to review the recent public sector initiatives launched by the American federal government and the European Union. The study's goal is to examine if, and how, the Genome construct would apply to not for profit. Design/methodology/approach This paper builds on an existing classification methodology for collective intelligence initiatives and extends it to pubic sector initiatives. Findings The findings suggest that, although the framework offers a generally good fit, it does not fully address all the factors at play and the paper proposes expanding the gene pool. In addition, it confirms that Collective Intelligence initiatives do indeed co‐create value and conform to the emerging services dominant logic concept. Originality/value With the growing success of profit motivated internet‐based collaborative ventures, including Innocentive, VenCorps, Threadless and many others, governments have taken notice and engaged. Recent public sector initiatives, including Open.gov, Peer 2 Patent, innovation.ED.gov among others, have begun to leverage collaborative internet media through similar means. These initiatives not only engage a broader community in the co‐creation of value, but also foster what has been termed as Collective Intelligence. This paper details one of the first forays into what might be termed sense making within the public sector usage of Collective Intelligence using the Genome framework and, as such, provides researchers and practitioners with a means of assessing value, potential impact and making comparisons.