Social Networks at Work Places - Essay Example

?Social Networks in Work Places Social Networks in Work Places Introduction The social networks have become menace in the level of employees’ productivity. The introduction of the different forms of social networks and the technological advancement has brought about both positive and negative effects in the recent times.1 In this case, an analysis of the negative causes of social networks in the places of work will be done and the ways of improving on the situation. The social network that has been influencing most of the workers is the attachment to online information and networks. The introduction of online social networks in the places of work can influence the employees’ productivity and levels of output positively since they interact and learn better working procedures and technological advancement. On the other hand, there are no given limitations that employees can deal with the websites that are work related without involving themselves with the recreational or personal sites that influence their level of output. The involvement of employees and employers in the online networks facilitates the publicity to malware, lack of privacy and other related factors and hence the concentration of the employees on their daily routines are affected and influenced negatively. This results to decreased production and profit levels.2 Since the discovery and introduction of technological advanced, electronics that are used to ease the communication gap between different individuals from different locations there has been complaints from many employers of the effects of these social networks on the productivity of the employees. There has been debates on the effects of these social networks on the general economical development and growth of different companies. The online social networks have been regarded as the most influential since their access is commonly by use of mobile phones or computers. The employees in most companies have access to these electronic gadgets and to the internet in their work places.3 This illustrates that the employees can engage themselves with the social networks online during working hours. This usually causes negative effects on the level of their productivity and the levels of realized profits from the employers. This aspect has caused most of the employers to install other gadgets to regulate and control the use of the internet in their companies. Some of the employees as a barrier or abuse can regard this to privacy and social life involvement. On the other hand, the employers see it as a way of controlling and sealing the degree of idleness and loopholes that influence productivity. The rights of both parties, employees and employers, seem to be violated but there should be an understanding between rights, privileges, work responsibilities and abuse of work contracts. The realization and introduction of aspects that involves the concepts of the employers’ expectations from the employees with respect to their social life should be addressed in advanced and in most cases included in the employment contracts. Consequently, a closer look on the effects of employees involvement to social networks, mostly online should be critically analyzed since they are at times beneficial to the company or organization if used properly.4 The fact that the employees at times visit the websites that are not work related does not mean that they do this every time they access the internet. The social networks that are usually accessed online can assist in the beneficial part of the organization or company. From a deeper perspective, social networks can be termed as areas where people obtained all sorts of data and information.5 The interconnection of the system allows the users to assist one another, take steps to achieve goals and objectives and transmit the different information from one section to another. Social networks cannot be abolished in the work places due to their importance and improvement degree on the business world. On the other hand, ways of governing the use of social networks should be realized and enhanced in the work places. This means that the employers should set a number of rules and regulations or policies to govern the use of the social networks instead of abolishing it. This should be limited to specific areas in the organization or company since not all employees can be used to interact and relate with the outside world. The realization that the increasing levels or degrees of technology have no limits indicates that the problems involved with realization of social networks have no limits. An earlier realization and acceptance of this from the different companies should indicate that there is room for adjustment and control.6 The rights of both parties, employees and employers, seem to be violated but there should be an understanding between rights, privileges, work responsibilities and abuse of work contracts. The realization and introduction of aspects that involves the concepts of the employers’ expectations from the employees with respect to their social life should be addressed in advanced and in most cases included in the employment contracts. The introduction of online social networks in the places of work can influence the employees’ productivity and levels of output positively since they interact and learn better working procedures and technological advancement.7 Online Social Networks There are different social networks that exist in the current world status. Four social networks are the commonly used worldwide. The introduction of Facebook in 2004 has caused an immense level of subscriptions. This has been the case because the need to interact between people who are located in different locations has been there and this is an easy way of achieving this communication gap.8 Students that attend the Harvard University were the ones that had the privilege of using facebook when it was introduce. However, the current statistics on the number of facebook subscribers indicates that more than 250 million people have registered and enjoying the benefits that comes along with it. The introduction of Linkedin in 2003 whose aim was to be used in within a strategic area with regards to business and professional fields. The business minded and professionals to relate and share about the business related issues that they experience use the social network website. This acts as one of the most influential social website concerning the business and market fraternity.9 The subscription of Linkedin is lower than that of facebook since it is geared by professionalism and not everybody joins it. In this case, Linkedin can be regarded as an advantageous social network to institutions and organizations that are business minded ands to the different companies and firms.10 Myspace was introduced the same year as Linkedin. However, they are different since they cater for two different arenas. Myspace deal with all aspects related to music and makes it possible for the different music groups and performers have close and mutual relations and connections. The levels of members that have subscribed to this website are estimated to be approximately 130 million. This is because the aim of this social networking website is to facilitate connections between the music-oriented people and not to involve with personal interactions. This means that the introduction of this website was to facilitate connections that would benefit members in their music careers rather than personal dealings and agendas. In 2006, twitter was introduced and became the immediate website on social networking. Its features make it productive and efficient and thus the high level of use and fame by the celebrities of all aspects. The membership of twitter is estimated to be around 10 million. The followers or fans have an access to the movements, developments and updates of the celebrities that they adore and support. This makes easier for the fans from all parts of the world to trace and follow the developments and achievements of their desired celebrities anytime.11 Business Related Benefits from Social Networks The gap that exists between the employers and their employees can be bridged by the use of asocial networks. This has been proved as an efficient way of achieving the interaction and relationship between the employers and their employees. The degree of accessibility of the social networks can also be used as a means of bridging the communication gap between the employers and their employees. This means that issues, which are usually urgent, can be communicated faster and efficiently using the different methods of social networks. The interactions of co-workers in their work places who work in different sections are simplified by the use of these social networks. The use of calls, messages and e-mails are minimized at work places since they take longer time to be achieved and transferred.12 The time taken to pass a message across from one person to another is reduced by the use of social networks. This is achieved through quick communication procedures and fast delivery methods. Research has indicated that the internet is the most efficient form of information transfer and retrieval. This is a clear indication that the different social networking websites are the most efficient forms of message and information transfer tools. This is because they use the internet. Organizations and institutions that are business oriented are realizing the significance and importance of using the social networks in improving on their business ventures. Business opportunities are shared and addressed in the social networking websites where there are all levels of expertise data and information.13 The broad use of the social networking websites can be viewed as an added advantage to the business and marketing world. This is because the numbers of people that have subscribed to these websites are usually high and the need to be part of them in trying and marketing the products and services of one’s firm or business. The management team of a company can make use of the social networking tools and communicate to their employees and potential customers. The company can maximize on the accessibility of the social networks and employ people to specialize on the marketing and interaction of the products and services that it offers and its goals and agendas through the social networks.14 Problems Experienced by Employers through Social Networks Various research practitioners have come up with several limitations that are related to the involvement of employees to the social networks. The main limitation that is experienced by the employers from the social networks is the reduction in the levels of production. This is characterized by the lack of job concentration by the employees and instead the concentration in unproductive activities through the social networks. Uncontrolled leakages of data and information regarding the company’s interests and work related issues are a common thing that is caused by unreliable employees who lack the meaning and significance of the social networks. This causes the competitors of the firms and companies to have access to confidential information thus making it difficult for the company to succeed due to the leakage.15 This leakage can ruin the reputation of the company and jeopardize the running and success of the company. A right is given to the employers over their employees if they have prior knowledge that their employees have spoilt their reputation or that of their co-workers intentionally. The social networks make use of the internet, which is at times too slow to process the commands allocated. This makes it disadvantageous in that the employees are left idle in most cases when this takes place. Employee involvement in unscrupulous behavior using the company’s computers can make the company to be aligned in the court of law. This can be a very huge drawback to the company since its reputation will also be ruined.16 The introduction of the different forms of social networks and the technological advancement has brought about both positive and negative effects in the recent times. In this case, an analysis of the negative causes of social networks in the places of work will be done and the ways of improving on the situation. The social network that has been influencing most of the workers is the attachment to online information and networks. The social networks have become menace in the level of employees’ productivity. The employees in most companies have access to these electronic gadgets and to the internet in their work places. This illustrates that the employees can engage themselves with the social networks online during working hours. This usually causes negative effects on the level of their productivity and the levels of realized profits from the employers. This aspect has caused most of the employers to install other gadgets to regulate and control the use of the internet in their companies. The involvement of employees and employers in the online networks facilitates the publicity to malware, lack of privacy and other related factors and hence the concentration of the employees on their daily routines are affected and influenced negatively. This results to decreased production and profit levels.17 There has been debates on the effects of these social networks on the general economical development and growth of different companies. The online social networks has been regarded as the most influential since there access are commonly by use of mobile phones or computers. Social networks cannot be abolished in the work places due to their importance and improvement degree on the business world. On the other hand, ways of governing the use of social networks should be realized and enhanced in the work places.18 This means that the employers should set a number of rules and regulations or policies to govern the use of the social networks instead of abolishing it. Bibliography Shuen, A, Web 2.0: A Strategy Guide, O'Reilly Media, Inc, Cambridge, MA, 2008. Read More