Title: Risks and opportunities of integrating social networking sites in the Australian and Portuguese workplace/communities: an exploratory study

Authors: Tomayess Issa; Pedro Isaias; Anoop Vijayarajan

Addresses: Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia ' Universidade Aberta (Portuguese Open University), Palacio Ceia, Rua da Escola Politecnica, n141-147, 1269-001, Lisbon, Portugal ' Main Roads Department, Western Australia 6170, 12, Diamond Gardens, Wellard, Australia

Abstract: In this study the researchers aim to assess and investigate the risks and opportunities of using social-networking sites (SNS) in workplace/communities, especially in Australia and Portugal. An online survey was conducted of 80 employees from both large organisations and SMEs in Australia and Portugal to determine these risks and opportunities. The study outcomes indicated that SNS usage in businesses is very useful, convenient, and fast and provides a real-time environment for marketing, communication and collaboration, enhancing employees' knowledge and skills and improving communication between customers and stakeholders. However, SNS usage in businesses can lead to legal issues or loss of reputation, security, privacy, hacking to identify theft, and virus attacks. The current study ascertains new practical significance, as a set of recommendations were generated to minimise and reduce the risks of using SNS in the workplace and to meet employees' needs and expectations.

Keywords: social networking sites; SNS; opportunities; Australia; Portugal; workplace integration; web based communities; virtual communities; online communities; risks; large organisations; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2014.065395

International Journal of Web Based Communities, 2014 Vol.10 No.4, pp.466 - 489

Published online: 31 Oct 2014 *

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