Policy Crowdsourcing and Attracting Public Participation (A Meta- synthesis Study)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc. Student, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Economics and Accounting, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

2 Assistant Prof., Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, Economics and Accounting, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

3 Assistant Prof., Department of Industrial management, Faculty of Management, Economics and Accounting, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

10.22059/jipa.2025.389481.3641

Abstract

Objective
In the digital age, the development of information technology has significantly enhanced the ability of organizations and governments to engage with a wide array of public perspectives. This advancement has facilitated the emergence of new participatory mechanisms—most notably, crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing refers to the practice of obtaining ideas, labor, services, feedback, or expertise by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically via online platforms. Its utility lies in harnessing collective intelligence to address complex problems, design solutions, and support participatory governance. It has become particularly valuable in policy-making processes, where public involvement is increasingly regarded as essential for democratic legitimacy, innovation, and effectiveness. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the effectiveness of policy crowdsourcing by synthesizing previous research findings and offering a robust conceptual model.
Methods
This research is applied in nature and follows a qualitative methodology, employing the meta-synthesis approach. The method of Sandelowski and Barroso (2007) was used to systematically integrate findings from a diverse set of studies. A total of 854 international scientific publications (1969–2023) and 118 domestic studies (1381–1402 in the Persian calendar) formed the initial research population. These sources were retrieved using advanced search strategies and Boolean operators across multiple academic databases, including Google Scholar, Emerald, ResearchGate, Sci-Hub, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, JSTOR, Sagepub, SID, IranDoc, Noormags, Magiran, and Civilica. After removing duplicates and screening for relevance based on titles, abstracts, and full content, 75 high-quality sources were selected for detailed review. The data extraction and coding process followed rigorous standards of qualitative analysis to ensure validity and reliability.
Results
The meta-synthesis resulted in the identification of eleven thematic dimensions influencing crowdsourcing and public participation in policy-making:

Policy-making strategies – encompassing eight concepts, including citizen engagement, task features, participation processes, mechanisms, implementer roles, and perceived outcomes.
Political factors – such as political will, openness, and contextual conditions affecting citizen involvement.
Social factors – including motivation, social capital, demographics, and interpersonal communication patterns.
Economic factors – addressing economic pressures, livelihoods, and macroeconomic trends.
Cultural factors – such as public values, beliefs, education and awareness levels, and cultural cohesion.
Legal factors – encompassing the legal framework, citizen rights awareness, governance structures, and public security.
Managerial factors – related to implementer competencies, leadership behavior, partnerships, innovation, and administrative capacity.
Individual factors – including motivation, experience, knowledge, and attitudes of participants.
Technology – covering digital infrastructure, equitable access, usability, modernization, and e-governance readiness.
Technical factors – such as data integrity, support mechanisms, and system configuration.
Environmental factors – including geographical and external systemic influences.

Conclusion
The results of this research offer a synthesized framework for understanding the diverse variables that influence crowdsourcing in public policymaking. These insights can guide policymakers, public administrators, and platform designers in creating more effective, inclusive, and technologically integrated participatory systems.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Journal of Public Administration
Volume 17, Issue 3
2025
Pages 767-804

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