Toward an Analytical Framework for the Study of Distributed Problem-Solving Networks

Abstract

Introducing an analytical framework that guided the Distributed Problem-Solving Network (DPSN) study, providing a rationale for the case study selection and key theoretical expectations surrounding the choices that face management in deciding whether or not to 'crowdsource' problem-solving.The DPSN project is about 'network enabled' distributed problem-solving organizations. In this context to be network enabled means that the emergence of the organization and its sustained functioning depends upon the use to computermediated telecommunication networks in recruiting, mobilizing and coordinating spatially distributed knowledge resources.