Using social media to sample ideas: lessons from a Slate ‐Twitter contest
Journal of Systems and Information Technology
ISSN: 1328-7265
Article publication date: 27 April 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore consequences of the use of social media for idea generation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyzes over 600 ideas submitted to a Slate‐Twitter contest to find the best short characterization of the American Declaration of Independence. These findings are then compared with those of Kornish and Ulrich, who analyzed idea‐contests in classroom settings.
Findings
In the Slate‐Twitter contest, repetition of ideas was rare while recombination was frequent. The evolution in the total number of unique ideas suggests that the contest became more focused over time. It also appears that ideas that are recognized as valuable attract similar ideas in turn.
Research limitations/implications
Further checks will be needed with regard to the robustness of the findings. Furthermore, while the current analysis relies on peer review by participants to the contest to value submissions, results might be different if it were done on the basis of independent external reviews. Conceptually, the findings suggest that idea generation via social media has a more iterative character than previously analyzed forms of broadcast search. Future research could investigate what triggers more exploration and exploitation of ideas in this process.
Practical implications
For businesses, which are more and more encouraged to engage in open innovation, the analysis can serve as guide on the use of social media for information collection.
Originality/value
The paper provides a simple and effective method to monitor social media, which firms can use to their advantage.
Keywords
Citation
den Besten, M. (2012), "Using social media to sample ideas: lessons from a
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited