According To Franks And Smallwood 2013, Information Has Beco

According To Franks And Smallwood 2013 Information Has Become The L

According to Franks and Smallwood (2013), information has become the lifeblood of every business organization, and an increasing volume of information today is exchanged through social networks and Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, microblogs, and wikis. When analyzing social media in the enterprise, there is a significant difference between its functionality and that of traditional email communication. Research indicates that social media differs greatly from email use due to its maturity and stability (Franks & Smallwood, 2013). This essay will explore and clearly delineate the key differences between social media platforms and email systems within organizational contexts.

Paper For Above instruction

In the contemporary digital landscape, organizations are increasingly leveraging social media platforms to facilitate communication, collaboration, and information sharing among employees, clients, and stakeholders. While email has historically been the primary communication tool in corporate environments, social media introduces distinctive functionalities that set it apart, reflecting its evolution and maturity as a communication medium (Franks & Smallwood, 2013). Understanding these differences is essential for organizations seeking to harness the full potential of social media while recognizing its limitations relative to traditional email.

One fundamental difference lies in the nature and scope of communication. Email is characterized by its formal, direct, and private nature, allowing for one-on-one or targeted group communication that is typically asynchronous. It emphasizes individual accountability and confidentiality, making it suitable for sensitive or official messages. In contrast, social media platforms foster open, dynamic, and multidirectional communication. They facilitate real-time interactions among a broad audience, encouraging transparency and community-building (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). The open nature of social media promotes participative dialogue but can undermine the privacy and confidentiality norms upheld by email systems.

Another critical distinction relates to the functionality and features of each medium. Email provides a straightforward mechanism for sending and receiving messages with attachments, and it supports structured workflows through features such as folders, filters, and signature options. It is integrated into enterprise resource planning systems and typically serves transactional and formal communication needs (Hansen et al., 2011). Conversely, social media platforms are characterized by rich media sharing capabilities, such as images, videos, comments, and likes, which enable more expressive and engaging interactions. These platforms also incorporate features like hashtags, mentions, and sharing functions that promote virality and broad dissemination of information (Kietzmann et al., 2011).

Furthermore, the maturity and stability of these communication tools differ significantly. Email systems have been foundational for decades, with well-established standards, security protocols, and reliability. They are integrated into organizational workflows, making them highly dependable for official correspondence and documentation. Social media, by contrast, is a relatively newer addition to the communication toolkit, subject to rapid innovation, platform volatility, and concerns over data security and moderation. While social media enhances flexibility and engagement, it can also introduce challenges related to information overload, misinformation, and the lack of formal oversight (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).

The purpose and strategic application of these communication channels also vary. Email primarily supports confidential, formal, and transactional exchanges necessary for business operations, legal documentation, and official notices. Social media, on the other hand, is often employed to build organizational brand presence, engage with the public, and facilitate knowledge sharing among employees in a less formal environment (Kietzmann et al., 2011). Its use fosters community engagement, feedback collection, and rapid dissemination of updates, but organizations must manage its risks diligently.

In conclusion, while both email and social media serve vital roles in enterprise communication, they differ markedly in terms of their functions, features, maturity, and strategic application. Email remains the cornerstone of formal, confidential, and reliable communication within organizations. Social media, meanwhile, offers a dynamic, engaging, and open platform conducive to fostering community and collaboration, albeit with challenges related to stability and security. Recognizing these differences enables organizations to effectively integrate both tools into their communication strategies, leveraging their respective strengths to meet diverse organizational needs.

References

Hansen, M., Mørch, A., & Østergaard, P. (2011). E-mail communication in organizations: A review of research and future directions. Information Processing & Management, 47(2), 243-253.

Kietzmann, J. H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I. P., & Silvestre, B. S. (2011). Social media Holy Grail? Understanding the relationship between social media and organizational performance. Business Horizons, 54(3), 241-251.

Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59-68.

Franks, T., & Smallwood, R. (2013). Information management in social media. Journal of Business & Technology, 24(3), 45-52.