Hot Topic #1: Social Networking and Web 2.0
MIS202 Business Information Systems
Ohio University College of Business
Social Networking and Web 2.0 is a dominant trend in business today. Social Networking is an
old phenomenon studies and explored in organizations for decades. However, the capabilities
of new information technologies including Web 2.0 to create social networks and facilitate the
sharing and creation of content across time and space have created new opportunities and
ignited new strategies for business benefits. In the last 5 years we have seen a variety of
businesses emerge and a variety of business applications created to facilitate and utilize Social
Networking and Web 2.0.
For this first hot topic in the quarter, three teams will be presenting on the topic of Social
Networking and Web 2.0. The purpose of each of the presentations is to educate the class on
the assigned topic and generate discussion. Each team will address specific questions assigned
to them and reflect on how businesses are using Social Networking and Web 2.0 to advance
business objectives. Please go beyond your own personal use of Social Networking and talk
about the business uses. An example could be how marketing firms are using Social Networking
tools to do targeted marketing and create network profiles. Another example could be how
CEO’s and CIO’s are using social networking tools to stay in touch with employees or customers.
Deliverables:
1. Each team will present on their topic and generate discussion. Each team has 25 minutes to
present and generate discussion around their hot topic. Be creative!
2. Each team will prepare a short schematic report addressing the assigned topic and
questions. Your paper has to be based on article you find in business periodicals such as
Business Week, CIO Magazine, Fortune Magazine, Wall Street Journal etc. (New York Times
is OK too). The article must be published current; in the last two years. Submit to
blackboard by 10:00 AM October 29th, 2009.
Hot Topic #1: Social Networking and Web 2.0
Team 1: Social Networking and its Positive Impact on Business
Specifically address the following questions:
1. What is social networking?
2. What is the history of social networking as we know it today?
3. Who are the main players (technology provides) if any? Is there a dominant provider?
4. How is it being used in business and by business to achieve business objectives? Use specific
examples (e.g. IBM created their own social networking site and are using it for…)
5. What are the main business benefits of social networks?
6. Where do you see social networking in business in the future?
Team 2: Web 2.0 and its Positive Impact on Business
Specifically address the following questions:
1. What is Web 2.0?
2. What is the history of Web 2.0 as we know it today?
3. Who are the main players (technology provides) if any? Is there a dominant provider?
4. How is it being used in business and by business to achieve business objectives? (e.g.
Gizmodo is a gadget magazine using blogs that uses an advertizing business model…)
5. What are the main business benefits of Web 2.0?
6. Where do you see Web 2.0 in business in the future?
Team 3: The downsides to Social Networking and Web 2.0
Specifically address the following questions:
1. What are the differences and similarities between Web 2.0 and Social Networking?
2. What are the main downsides to Web 2.0 and social networking in business? Give specific
examples (e.g. and executive in Microsoft leaked information about new search engine by
posting information on a blog which led to…).
3. Where do you see web 2.0 and social networking in business in the future?
Class Reading:
Social Networking Service
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network_service
Web 2.0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0