The Rise of Social Media: Enhancing Collaboration and Productivity Across Generations

The ASTD Rise of Social Media report explores the business case for supporting and using social media technologies from a learner’s point of view. This exclusive perspective provides business leaders with insight for a new strategic priority: to leverage the power of social media tools in order to maximize learning and increase the performance of the entire workforce. While most organizations have yet to fully embrace the use of social media in the workplace, there is a strong belief among the professionals surveyed that adoption of social media technologies will continue to grow in the coming years. Hence, it is critical for business leaders to prepare for the fundamental shift in habits and expectations that the surging Millennial generation will bring to the workplace- computers and collaborative technologies are an extension of who they are. This report includes valuable results and recommendations to help executives make strategic decisions that can positively affect organizational goals and growth.

About the Authors

ANDREW PARADISE, PHD is a research manager with the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) and served as an editor and project manager for this report. He is responsible for a variety of projects such as the annual ASTD State of the Industry Report and ad-hoc surveys. He has authored many reports and research articles for the association on topics ranging from sales training to global leadership. Paradise joined ASTD in September 2006. Prior to that, Paradise worked in the Research Department at the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association in Bethesda, Maryland, for five years.

LALEH PATEL is a research associate with ASTD and served as an editor and data analyst for this report. She is a contributor to many projects such as the quarterly Learning Executives Confidence Index (LXCI) and ad-hoc surveys. Patel joined ASTD in August 2009 after receiving a MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University.

HOLLY B. TOMPSON, PHD is a senior research analyst at i4cp and served as primary data analyst for this report. Holly has taught in the management departments of several universities, including the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, and, most recently, the University of Tampa. Her research has focused on work/life balance and leadership development, with an emphasis on training high-potential employees to sustain maximum success without burnout. Holly is also active in the University of Tampa's Executive Education program, where she is currently a leadership and development coach.

MARK VICKERS is the vice president of research at i4cp and served as the editor for this report. He has authored and edited many studies and white papers for the institute, and he worked as managing editor for the Human Resource Institute. He is also the editor of i4cp's TrendWatcher and has authored and coauthored numerous periodical articles.

DAVID WENTWORTH has been a senior research analyst for the Institute for Corporate Productivity since 2005. David has previously worked with digital media development and delivery, and he currently researches a variety of topics for i4cp, including performance management, workforce technology, compensation trends and the outsourcing of human resources.