Some Initial Web 2.0 Enterprise Research

Several studies have come out recently on the use of Web 2.0 behind the firewall or Enterprise 2.0 as reported in the Fast Forward blog. The Economist found are beginning to learn about Web 2.0 but there are plenty of challenges to adoption. The report indicates that “79% see the collaborative web as a way to boost revenues and cut costs, something 30% say will impact all areas of their business. Large, high-profile companies are using Web 2.0 tools and methods in a variety of ways.”

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Center for Marketing Research recently conducted a survey of US companies in Inc. Magazine’s 500 list for 2006 with 121 of the 500 participating. The majority (66%) felt that social media were important to the firm’s business strategy.

Watson Wyatt also looked at the issue and found that during the last three years there’s been a 400% increase in social media behavior.” This does seem plausible but I wonder how they measure it? The article also reports, “According to research by Watson Wyatt, nearly 50% of the employee population will soon prefer – and expect – collaborative and interactive methods of communication with their employers.” In other words they will likely want Enterprise 2.0.

All of these results seem intuitive and correspond to what I am hearing informally. I am sure many more studies will get on this bandwagon. enterprise 2.0 enterprise social media