Exploring Idea Convergence and Conceptual Combination in Open Innovative Crowdsourcing from a Cognitive Load Perspective

Abstract

Open innovative crowdsourcing has received increasing attention. This study sets out to investigate idea convergence and generation in open innovative crowdsourcing communities from a cognitive load perspective to explore aspects of cognitive idea processing. We have conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the effects of three manipulations (task complexity, idea presentation, and procedural guidance) on three types of cognitive load and the following idea convergence and generation quality. We have also examined the influencing mechanisms of cognitive loads on satisfaction with process and satisfaction with outcome. Our results show that the three cognitive loads have significant effects: Higher intrinsic cognitive load significantly leads to lower satisfaction with process and outcome. Higher extraneous cognitive load significantly leads to satisfaction with process. Higher germane cognitive load significantly leads to higher convergence quality and lower new idea generation quality.