Crowdsourcing vs. Outsourcing: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Crowdsourcing involves obtaining services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, while Outsourcing is the practice of hiring external parties to perform tasks, handle operations, or provide services for a business.
Key Differences
"Crowdsourcing" leverages the collective intelligence or skills of a large group, often the public, for tasks like problem-solving or innovation, whereas "Outsourcing" involves a company delegating specific tasks or services to external firms or individuals, typically for efficiency and cost-saving.
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Dec 05, 2023
While crowdsourcing often taps into a wide and diverse range of contributors, fostering creativity and broad participation, outsourcing usually entails contracting established businesses or professionals with specific expertise.
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Dec 05, 2023
Crowdsourcing is characterized by its open-call format, inviting contributions from virtually anyone, contrasting with outsourcing, which involves selecting specific external vendors or service providers.
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In crowdsourcing, the contributors may not necessarily be professionals, but individuals who can offer unique insights or solutions, while in outsourcing, the work is typically done by skilled professionals or companies specializing in that field.
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Crowdsourcing can be a more cost-effective way of gathering ideas and solutions, relying on voluntary or competitively priced contributions, whereas outsourcing often involves more formal financial arrangements with third-party service providers.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Contributor Base
Large, diverse, often public
Selected external firms or individuals
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Nature of Contribution
Ideas, solutions, content
Professional services, tasks
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Selection Process
Open to all, often an open call
Specific selection of external entities
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Professional Level
Mix of professionals and amateurs
Typically skilled professionals
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Cost Structure
Often lower cost, sometimes voluntary
Formal financial agreements
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Crowdsourcing and Outsourcing Definitions
Crowdsourcing
Gathering contributions from a large group of people.
The company used crowdsourcing to gather ideas for its new logo.
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Outsourcing
Delegating tasks or services to external companies.
Our company is outsourcing customer support services.
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Crowdsourcing
Utilizing the collective intelligence of the masses.
Crowdsourcing helped solve the complex coding problem.
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Outsourcing
Hiring outside firms to handle specific operations.
Outsourcing our IT department has reduced costs.
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Crowdsourcing
Engaging a large community for ideas or content.
The documentary was made by crowdsourcing footage.
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Outsourcing
Contracting third parties to perform certain jobs.
They're outsourcing marketing to a specialized agency.
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Crowdsourcing
Soliciting input from the public for a project.
They're crowdsourcing the design of their next product.
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Nov 24, 2023
Outsourcing
Engaging outside expertise for specific tasks.
Outsourcing accounting functions has improved efficiency.
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Nov 24, 2023
Crowdsourcing
Gathering diverse perspectives through an open call.
They crowdsourced opinions for the new city project.
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Outsourcing
Using external resources for business functions.
Outsourcing manufacturing has streamlined their production.
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Crowdsourcing
A method of outsourcing work over the internet or similar network by appealing to people to contribute to the project independently or as a collaboration.
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Oct 19, 2023
Outsourcing
To delegate (a task, function, or responsibility) to an independent provider
"Most retailers outsource the bulk of their manufacturing to Third World countries, where labor is dramatically cheaper" (James Surowiecki).
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Crowdsourcing
The delegation of a task to a large diffuse group in order to introduce new or more developed skill sets and improve efficiency. There is usually no substantial monetary compensation involved.
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Outsourcing
To relocate or transfer (jobs) to another labor market
"Although the absolute number of jobs outsourced from developed countries to China remains small, the threat that firms could produce offshore helps to keep a lid on wages" (The Economist).
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Outsourcing
The transfer of a business function to an external service provider.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can crowdsourcing be used for funding?
Yes, it's commonly used in crowdfunding projects.
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Is outsourcing only for large companies?
No, businesses of all sizes can use outsourcing.
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How does crowdsourcing benefit businesses?
It provides diverse perspectives and can be cost-effective.
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Can crowdsourcing replace traditional research?
It can complement it but may not always replace expert research.
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What types of tasks are commonly crowdsourced?
Creative tasks, problem-solving, and data collection.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is outsourcing suitable for core business activities?
It depends, but core activities are often kept in-house.
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How do quality control measures differ?
Crowdsourcing relies on volume and diversity, while outsourcing focuses on professional standards.
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What is the main goal of crowdsourcing?
To gather a wide range of ideas, solutions, or content from a large group.
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Why do companies outsource?
For expertise, cost efficiency, and focusing on core business functions.
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What are the risks of outsourcing?
Quality control issues and dependency on external suppliers.
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What's the difference in cost between crowdsourcing and outsourcing?
Crowdsourcing can be less expensive, outsourcing costs depend on the service provider.
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How do you manage crowdsourced contributions?
Through platforms and tools that organize and filter submissions.
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Is confidentiality a concern in outsourcing?
Yes, especially with sensitive business functions.
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Does outsourcing affect employment?
It can lead to changes in workforce requirements.
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How fast can results be obtained through crowdsourcing?
It can be quick depending on the crowd's responsiveness.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can crowdsourcing lead to innovative solutions?
Yes, due to diverse inputs and creative problem-solving.
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What are the legal considerations of outsourcing?
Contracts, intellectual property rights, and compliance issues.
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How does crowdsourcing impact customer engagement?
It can enhance engagement by involving customers in the creation process.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can outsourcing help in scaling a business?
Yes, by allowing businesses to adapt and grow efficiently.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can a company use both crowdsourcing and outsourcing?
Yes, they can be used together for different aspects of a business.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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