More than three’s a crowd... in the best interest of companies!

Karima Bouaiss (), Isabelle Maque and Jérôme Méric ()
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Karima Bouaiss: CEREGE [Poitiers, La Rochelle] - Centre de recherche en gestion [EA 1722] - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - ULR - La Rochelle Université, Axe 2 (2011-2016) : « Marchés, Cultures de consommation, Autonomie et Migrations » (MSHS Poitiers) - MSHS de Poitiers - Maison des sciences de l'homme et de la société de Poitiers - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Isabelle Maque: CEREGE [Poitiers, La Rochelle] - Centre de recherche en gestion [EA 1722] - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - ULR - La Rochelle Université, Axe 2 (2011-2016) : « Marchés, Cultures de consommation, Autonomie et Migrations » (MSHS Poitiers) - MSHS de Poitiers - Maison des sciences de l'homme et de la société de Poitiers - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Jérôme Méric: CEREGE [Poitiers, La Rochelle] - Centre de recherche en gestion [EA 1722] - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - ULR - La Rochelle Université

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Abstract: Purpose : The purpose of this paper was to decipher the contradictions and the ambiguities of crowdfunding as a term and as a practice to reveal the deeper significance of its underlying Zeitgeist. Design/methodology/approach : Three steps were followed. In the first one, the authors underline the ambiguities of crowd as a concept in its traditional meaning as well as in the realities, it may depict when referring to connected people. Thereafter, the many practices of crowdfunding with the apparent univocity of this term were confronted. Findings : These analyses led the authors to consider crowdfunding as ideology: an incantatory use of crowd can conceal an effective profit-making process, as well as a new way to unblock a stalling social elevator. Originality/value : As per the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first one to try to conceptualize the social roots of crowdfunding and to analyze its deeper significance, as complementary to an already developed "how-to-do-it" literature. It is worth confronting this piece of reflexivity with the emerging literature on the assessment of specific crowdfunding operations.

Keywords: Fundraising; Society; Humanistic Philosophy; Crowd; Crowdfunding; Ideology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-02-09
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01890575v1
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in Society and Business Review, 2015, 10 (1), pp.23 - 39. ⟨10.1108/SBR-09-2014-0042⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01890575

DOI: 10.1108/SBR-09-2014-0042

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