The Importance of Social Network Networks in an Organisation - Assignment Example

Knowledge Management and Social Network Summary: Knowledge management is a process which enables organizations to control their information. Organizations decide that which information they will share it with their customers regarding their company and products. Knowledge management holds wide scope. This process not only grants access to its employees and the customers to gain company related information but it can also be used as a medium to gain information or knowledge from employees and the customers. However, we know that with the passage of time the flow and scope of this knowledge has grown wider due to advancement in technology. The advent of Social Network network has empowered the customers and the companies to gain and share information with each other. Customers share the company’s information and their customer experiences with the other customers while on the other hand, organizations use this information as a source to analyze and review their performance management, overcome their problems and keeping the flow of communication among the employees smooth and effective. To fulfill this purpose, organizations use different Social Network platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and many more. However, in this paper we have discussed how organizations and the customers use Youtube (Social Network platform) to share, control and gain knowledge and how effectively they use this information to benefit other individuals. Thus, this makes the overall knowledge management system of an organization to become more developed and to acquire innovation for brining the change in the overall organization. Knowledge Management: Knowledge management can be defined as the process through which organizations control, use and share their company and product information effectively with other people. Few years back, this knowledge or the spread of information was controlled by the legal and marketing departments. These departments were directly responsible for controlling an organization’s external knowledge. However, other departments such as engineering and maintenance are responsible for controlling the internal information. In the past, the access to an organization’s information was limited (Brelade, and Harman, 2001). Companies were strict in sharing the information with the public unless, it becomes dire important for an organization to share and make it public. The Technological Advancement and Knowledge Management: In the past, organization had restricted opportunity and limited resources to use and share their organization’s information with the public regarding their company and products. However, the entire process of an organization’s knowledge management has been affected positively by the change in technological advancement and recent innovations. Knowledge management has been made easier by the advancement in technology. The world has shrunk into a global village where the ease in communication has made it easier for the people from all around the globe to interact and communicate with each other without the matter of any distance. In recent few years, this communication has been facilitated by the emergence of Social Network networks, where interaction with different people from different backgrounds has been made easier. These Social Network networks also enable different organizations to interact and develop strong communications with their clients and other people from all over the world. Social Network Breaks Through: Social Network is an emerging technology which is faced by many difficulties. It has many pros and cons related with its usage. Somewhere Social Network benefits the customers and many other times, Social Network may become the reason of damaging the reputation of general public and the organizations. The impact of Social Network on one’s image or reputation depends on the use of the technology. It may leave a person or an organization under negative outcomes, if it is used in a negative way (Li, Charlene; Bernoff, Josh, 2008). Social Network is supported with other technologies that have influenced the lives of many people in the recent world. Social Network has transformed the way people used to interact with each other. As we know that, Social Network possess the most dynamic transformative effects, therefore, we cannot undermine the importance of how Social Network networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other networks have taken the control on an organization’s knowledge management process. These user-driven communities have replaced the internal departments such as marketing and legal departments. Social Network has empowered the customers to take the control on corporate knowledge (Li, Charlene; Bernoff, Josh, 2008). Despite their disruptive nature, these Social Network networks are being used by many organizations in today’s world to benefit themselves by the simple use and innovation offered by these user-driven communities. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the businesses feared losing their corporate knowledge which made them stand together against the use of Social Network networks for fulfilling the corporate purposes. However, with the passage of time, organizations have learnt the art of harvesting the corporate knowledge from both internal and external sources. Now with the increase and knowing the importance of Social Network networks, organizations are benefiting themselves by making their place on Social Network and by targeting the maximum number of potential and existing customers through latest company updates and information about their products and services. Social Network and the Business World: As discussed earlier, the corporate world felt unrest on the idea of giving control of their corporate knowledge to customers. However, with the passage of time the businesses realized the advantages of introducing their products and services with the customers from all around the world. This platform also facilitates the different organizations to gather information and views of their customers from all around the world and to use them in order to improve their performances (Skarzynski, and Gibson, 2008) Social Network platform has provided companies with the advantage of targeting new customers and other knowledge managers. This enabled the companies to know how different customers are using their products differently other than the use of a certain product as introduced by the companies. Moreover, Social Network enables different businesses to make the most of their businesses through collective knowledge (Skarzynski and Gibson, 2008). This can be simply elaborated by an example; if a business receives a request or a query by a customer from any part of the world; Social Network allows the business to search for the answer in the business sphere supported on Social Network. In the beginning of Social Network, the customer services tried to keep their customers away from these websites and they stood firmly against the user-driven communities. However, the customer service realized that it is impossible for them to keep their customers away from accessing the information available on social platforms. Therefore, after realizing the value and importance of Social Network networks and their effective role as “knowledge database,” the companies are putting all the efforts in developing strong community based networks on such sites. Social Network networks provide benefits to both the customers and the businesses. It helps the customers to share and help each other with the use of the products and services whereas, on the other hand, companies benefit themselves by gathering information based on customer experiences. Social Network has protected the rights of the customers; it has made the customers to learn and share with other customers (Choo, 2002). Businesses should understand the value of Social Network. Corporate world should not feel threatened by the customer’s use of these social platforms for keeping themselves and other customers aware of their experiences. Businesses can improve their performances, services and products effectively. Refining the Knowledge Management Tactics: Call centers are aware of the importance of Social Network networks and the value of knowledge management within organizations. Over the passage of time, call center agents and support supervisors have gathered and shared knowledge in many unique ways. Call centers represent the companies and they are considered as the primary interaction with the customers on behalf of the corporation. These are also considered as the traditional social network and as a link for the dissemination of knowledge and information. The call center agents use such information in a traditionally limited setting (Pedler, 1989). However, in this age of technological advancement; Social Network agents are supported by the huge number of user population. Social Network enjoys the benefits of unlimited boundaries and unlimited advantages which are further offered to their users < http://www.icmi.com/Resources/Articles/2011/October/Is-Social-Media-Changing-Knowledge-Management> An Example of Social Network Network: It is highly imperative to understand the importance and role of Social Network network in managing the flow of information and giving boost to the organization (Choo, 2002). The advent of Social Network networks have given support to the corporate world to understand the need of developing strong knowledge management system in order to collect customer information and gain competitive advantage in the market. It is important for all the organizations to develop strong knowledge management process (Love et al., 2005). Development of knowledge management allows organizations to be strong and successful in future. Social Network allows organizations to develop their level of communication strong and their performance more efficient (Tapscott and Williams, 2008). Organizations can improve their level of performance by the effective use of Social Network as a platform for employee interaction. It is the most cost-efficient way to solve problems and address numerous issues in less time. Innovation can be developed by keeping the flow of communication and information between the employees more effectively (Godfrey and Juran, 1998; Love et al, 2005, Pedler, 1989). Like many other Social Network networks, Youtube is one of the most widely used user-driven communities. It has been observed that daily millions of people share and view different videos for entertainment and information purpose. These videos are shared and viewed by individuals and the organizations. It has been observed that Youtube has made a significant difference in highlighting the value of an organization in the global market. Different companies upload different videos related to their products such as advertisements, offers and other customer experiences on the website which are viewed by different customers and users. Also, it has been observed that customers also upload their personal experiences and their customized videos related to any specific product or service to share their experience and knowledge with the other customers. Youtube also provides the opportunity to the users both the individuals and the organizations to post their comments either negative or positive on the experience. This allows the other customers and the individuals to build their perception regarding that product or service (Christopher & Steve). The sharing of information visually influences the mindset of a customer to perceive either the positive or the negative opinion on the product or the service. This sharing of knowledge not only benefits the company but it also allows the sharing of information or the knowledge in an effective manner. Through Youtube, an organization learn to develop and analyze what their customers demand or need from them, their image in the market, an over view of their performance and the percentage of competitive advantage they have over their competitors (Connell). Analysis and Utilization of Social Network as an Innovative Learning Tool: In this cyber world, Innovative and engaging teaching strategies are essential in higher education courses. Creative classroom techniques incorporating technology promote a productive and enriched learning environment. In the world of emerging technologies, Social Network is playing an important role to change people like . It not only change the way they think about life but also significantly improving the ways of learning through its innovative, cost effective and its reaches to masses . Beside the fact that barriers inside an out side the class room but new Social Network is breaking down these barriers and encouraging people to engage in dialogue with each other. Social networking, instant messaging, blogs and viral is helping to generate conversation and also making people relying on them . These Social Network’s significant features includes high level of public free participation, discussion and contribution from it users. One of these Social Network tools, YouTube is one of its kinds and a very powerful web based influential video sharing sit. The importance of usage of you tube for organizational learning purpose is increasingly gaining popularity and therefore its importance for both in-class and online instructors to established a sense of classroom community and achieve greater learner goals (Acquisti, Alessandro, Gross & Ralph). Furthermore this Internet based resource integrates relevant content and encourage learners to imitate on how the material can be applied. In its fresh and innovative way the You Tube speaks to their generation and may provide the acquirement and experience of new technology (Aleksandra K, Rajeev M, Shubha U, Nabar & Ying Xu). Social Network tool, YouTube is an important illustrated and positional instructional resource, which can relate learners of the current generation because its can inspire and engage them and support their digital life style. Due to its opportunity to the messes of all ages, You Tube has exploited its position to make itself a most demanding tool for learning. YouTube is offering the entire learner community with an opportunity to experience new technology that will provide them with marketable skills and making itself a crucial media for instructors to utilize available innovative resources. As an online, free and innovative source, it has become and imperative for all stake holder of learning fraternity (Choi & Jaz Hee-jeong). You Tube has developed an innovatively vidcasting which could be very creatively engage a classroom strategy for bother learner and instructors. This also gives them opportunity to potentially interact and involve into arguments each other for better understanding and learning. All study martial and class room lectures could easily be stored in playlist hence making it very effective and constructive from learning point of view (Byrne). This aspect proved effective because its provide learning an opportunity to be online active participation in discussion of study lectures and improve learning process. You Tube URL could easily be copy paste on the Microsoft words or Power Point and other online learning plat form like WebCT or Blackboard. With the proper orientation of use of You Tube as Social Network learning tool could inspire all learners due to its visual approach. Learner could replay all these clips and could develop more understanding of the topic as compare class room learning where most of the time he does not have liberty to get one topic revised. You Tube innovative way of learning provide understanding of topic, uploading a topic video followed by generation and participation in the topic related web based discussion (Goodings, L, Locke, A, & Brown). Challenges Emerging from the Utilization of Social Network: Besides providing benefits and new opportunities, Social Network also represents different challenges for the organizations. According to Gartner’s research (Love et al., 2005) it is very common that companies would be faced by five major challenges when they acquire the use of Social Network in different activities of companies. These main five challenges are: 1- Choosing the right Social Network tools according to the nature and the need of the business. 2- Addressing the cultural barriers. 3- Privacy Intervention 4- Attitude of the tool users. 5- Time related issues. Literary Review on Social Network: As per Anneke Emerson, social networking is a powerful learning tool which has changed they way we learned by introducing digital boards to emails, online chatting and Social Network wed based applications. Social networking has huge potential to motivate the learner and ensure his participation in learning process. It motivates learners to actively participate, deepen understanding of culture and encourage interaction with in the learning community (Jenkins, Clinton, Purushotma). Since there is tremendous potential for software interaction between instructor and learner therefore face to face activities could be blended into multi layered communities (Bonneau, Joseph, Anderson, Jonathan, Danezis & George). Social networks have a tremendous potential to foster learners with a deep understanding of other way of learning. Reading blog, creating web pages, filling podcast and expressing opening on other work encourage learners to express himself in an open environment (Booth). Social learning communities keeping a bond between learner and instructor in and out side of the learning facilities and within flexible circle to let them exchange their ideas and issues according to their own pace of life (Chun, Kwak, Haewoon, Eom, Young-Ho, Ahn, Yong-Yeol, Moon, Sue, Jeong & Hawoong). Conclusion: Social Network is the latest technological advancement that empowers the individuals and the organizations to effectively improve their performance, gain competitive advantage, share and make the most out of the knowledge gathered through this medium and to develop innovative strategies in order to excel in the modern world (Golder, Scott, Wilkinson, Dennis, Huberman & Bernardo). It depends on the nature and the need of the business that which Social Network platform an organization chooses. Selecting the right Social Network tool enables an organization to effectively use the collected knowledge as well as it also helps in maintaining the level of communication with the employees smooth. Social Network grants the access ad control to every individual; it could be the employees and the customers (Fogel & Nehmad). 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