Social networks - A tool for space agencies?

Paper number

IAC-12,D3,4,5,x16035

Author

Dr. Leopold Summerer, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2012

Abstract

Following their successes in various domains, mainly directly with private persons, social networking sites have been deployed within enterprises and are gradually replacing functions previously served by the intranets. They are known to encourage informal communication between users and contribute to the social capital of the organisation. Such networks furthermore are reported to increase the internal information flow, facilitate or even revolutionise knowledge management, boost innovation levels and create senses of communities especially in organisations spread over different sites and cultures. 

This paper reports on the introduction of an internal social network across all ESA sites. It discusses the objectives, scope and technical choices and analyses both quantitatively as well as qualitatively adoption rates, difficulties, and first impacts on the internal organisation.

Abstract document

IAC-12,D3,4,5,x16035.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,D3,4,5,x16035.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.