Solver engagement in knowledge sharing in crowdsourcing communities: Exploring the link to creativity

There is increasing interest in online communities as a channel of innovation for companies. However, research to date has been limited on how to create a compelling virtual experience to inspire contestants to make novel and creative contributions. This examination is critical as the online space grows more crowded. This paper draws from job engagement theory and the theory of job design to develop a framework that positions solver engagement as a key determinant of creativity in online innovation contests. In particular, we propose a multidimensional perspective of solver engagement by distinguishing the simultaneous investments of a contestant’s authentic self in crowdsourcing competitions in terms of physical, cognitive and emotional energy. We argue that the more intensively and persistently engagement energies are applied the higher the creativity and quality of contributions. Further, we examine the mediating effect of solver engagement on the crowdsourcing competition design-creativity relationship. Our findings reveal that the greater the contestants’ psychological involvement when performing competition tasks the higher the creativity of their solutions. Special emphasis on problem solving given the particular personality traits of knowledge communities while avoiding excessive, anxious control and respecting individuals positively impacts knowledge sharing and creativity. This article provides important implications for the organisation and sustainment of crowdsourcing communities as a vibrant source of innovations and creativity. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.