Design and Adoption of Social Collaboration Software within BusinessesBlackwell, J., Sheridan, J., Instone, K., Schwartz, D. R., and Kogan, S. (April 2009)

IntroductionOnline social networks have become extremely popular over the past few years. These sites provide the following benefits to users:Enhanced feeling of connectedness via sharing of personal information and picturesEmployment opportunitiesSocial activismCommunity building and mobilizationRapid sharing of information

Enhanced feeling of connectedness via sharing of personal information and pictures

Employment opportunities

Social activism

Community building and mobilization

Rapid sharing of information

Social Networks and BusinessSocial networks have the potential to benefit business as well. The can:Increase personal connectivity between employeesAid in rapid problem resolutionHelp new employees integrate into the company quicklyImprove communication and information sharing

Increase personal connectivity between employees

Aid in rapid problem resolution

Help new employees integrate into the company quickly

Improve communication and information sharing

Barriers to AdoptionWorkers might waste time on social networksReputation management within a company isn’t always cut and driedStudies show professors’ presence on YouTube doesn’t influence students’ perception of them. In fact, 1/3 of students don’t think professors should be on Facebook.Usage rates of social networks cluster around age 21, making them less useful for many businessesUsage rates among different ethnic groups vary widelyDiverse companies may find different levels of interest and experience with social collaboration, especially across geographies and cultures

Workers might waste time on social networks

Reputation management within a company isn’t always cut and dried

Studies show professors’ presence on YouTube doesn’t influence students’ perception of them. In fact, 1/3 of students don’t think professors should be on Facebook.

Usage rates of social networks cluster around age 21, making them less useful for many businesses

Usage rates among different ethnic groups vary widely

Diverse companies may find different levels of interest and experience with social collaboration, especially across geographies and cultures

ReferenceDesign and adoption of social collaboration software within businesses. In Proceedings of the 27th international Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (Boston, MA, USA, April 04 – 09, 2009). CHI EA ‘09. ACM, New York, NY, 2759-2762.http://doi.acm.org.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/10.1145/1520340.1520400