Abstract
This research work relates to the paradigm of business pages hosted on social networking sites, as they are increasingly gaining attention among business organizations as a potential source of their community outreach. However, the social networking sites whilst offering several necessary community services, are currently lacking the support for the domain specific features of specific types of organizations such as research and innovation laboratories, educational and training institutes and many others. Undertaking a design science research approach, we investigate the stated problem in more detail in a specific type of organizations termed as Innovation Laboratories. As a result, we propose designing domain specific business directories while simultaneously integrating them with the business pages hosted on existing social networking sites. We demonstrate the feasibility and application of our proposed model through a web-based tool named as “SIDIL - Social networks Integrated Directory of Innovation Laboratories”. The tool has been evaluated by the experts running Innovation Laboratories and found effective in achieving its objectives. As a conclusion, we present a motivation towards designing next generation of online and integrated business networking platforms.
Highlights
Nowadays, with the ubiquitous computing and networking resources and increasing tendency towards digitization, traditional paper-based business directories have turned out to be insufficient and ineffective for searching and connecting with businesses of interest
With the passage of time, more and more attention is being given to online business directories varyingly termed as internet/digital/online yellow pages, citation sites, online business listings, etc
A recent and advanced embodiment of online business directories that merge the listing and searching of business pages with the real-time communication and interaction facilities are the business pages hosted on social networking sites [2]
Summary
With the ubiquitous computing and networking resources and increasing tendency towards digitization, traditional paper-based business directories (e.g., white pages, yellow pages, and other industry-specific directories) have turned out to be insufficient and ineffective for searching and connecting with businesses of interest. This is unwanted for sellers as well who want to use same platform for advertising and keeping their customers continuously updated regarding their products and services In this realm, a recent and advanced embodiment of online business directories that merge the listing and searching of business pages with the real-time communication and interaction facilities are the business pages hosted on social networking sites [2]. Once a business page is created and made public, the listed business can share its updates, advertise new products/services, solicit customer reviews, collect customer demands, and communicate with customers through public comments on shared updates as well as private one-to-one messages Many of these platforms offer audio/video calling mechanism direct from the platform. These mechanism have made business pages most wanted and effective medium for B2C as well as B2B connections
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