Crowdsourcing: A New Phenomenon or an Old Practice of Leveraging Society’s Intellectual Capital? History and Definitional Framework of the Concept

Jordan Klimek; Sylvia Henhappel; Piotr Niedzielski; Julia Anna Klimek; Magdalena Zioło; Jarosław Kozuba

doi:10.18290/pepsi-2026-0001

Published : 2026-06-30

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026)

Crowdsourcing: A New Phenomenon or an Old Practice of Leveraging Society’s Intellectual Capital? History and Definitional Framework of the Concept

Jordan Klimek

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9824-143X

Sylvia Henhappel

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7274-4362

Piotr Niedzielski

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5024-4722

Julia Anna Klimek

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8556-9068

Magdalena Zioło

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4136-046X

Jarosław Kozuba

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3394-4270

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/pepsi-2026-0001

Abstract

This article explores the concept of crowdsourcing by examining its historical context, contemporary applications, and theoretical framework. Crowdsourcing is defined as a mechanism for converting societal intellectual capital into value through collective participation, which dates to antiquity and has evolved with technological advancements, especially the internet. By analysing historical cases, such as the Longitude Act and the Enigma code-breaking effort, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of collective intelligence in solving complex problems. The research also evaluates various definitions of crowdsourcing, emphasizing its adaptability across industries and its role in open innovation. The study concludes with a proposal for a comprehensive definition of crowdsourcing, highlighting its potential and challenges, including intellectual property rights, participant motivation, and ethical considerations. This analysis underscores the transformative impact of crowdsourcing on business models and its capacity to drive societal engagement and innovation.

Keywords:

crowdsourcing, historical innovation processes, history of crowdsourcing, science and technology, society’s intellectual capital, crowd wisdom

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Klimek, J., Henhappel, S., Niedzielski, P., Klimek, J. A., Zioło, M., & Kozuba, J. (2026). Crowdsourcing: A New Phenomenon or an Old Practice of Leveraging Society’s Intellectual Capital? History and Definitional Framework of the Concept. Journal for Perspectives of Economic Political and Social Integration, 32(1), 7–31. https://doi.org/10.18290/pepsi-2026-0001

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