Social Computing in Business

Abstract

Social computing refers to the use of computing devices to facilitate social interactions that occur among users. Which allows the use of the website to allow users to interact. Social computing is broadly defined as computational facilitation of the study of social and human social dynamics as well as the design and use of information and communication technologies that take social context into account. New social services and applications are developed based on conditions that will affect people’s lives today. Social computing has the adoption of social computing technology in business. This paper provides a brief introduction to social computing in business.

Keywords:

social computing, business, shopping, marketing, costumer relationship management, human resource management

Introduction

Social computing is basically the use of computers for social purposes for social behavior and situational research based on computing systems (Liu et al., 2010). This is based on the fact that humans are social creatures. In social computing, the Internet allows users to interact through various communication media and even online business networks. People participate in social computing and interact in various social and business activities related to the interaction of social computing devices (Hassan 2008).

However, social computing is also often associated with business activities. Where social computing becomes information technology that is very useful for business activities. Of course, this will make the process of the business run more effectively and efficiently. Then social computing in business will play a role in delivering messages and even electronic commerce activities and transactions through social computing. Social commerce also supports social interaction and user contributions, enabling customers to actively participate in the marketing and sales of products and services in online markets and communities. With social commerce, individuals can collaborate online, get advice from trusted individuals, and find and buy goods and services. There is a lot of control that social computing can hold for business interests therefore many businesses use social computing as an intermediary forum between sellers and buyers.

Discussion

1. Social Computing in Business: Shopping

Social shopping refers to the method of electronic commerce which takes all the key aspects of social networks like groups, voting, comments, discussions, reviews, etc. which focus them on shopping activities. Social shopping helps shoppers connect with each other based on taste, location, age, gender and other preferred attributes. In terms of social shopping, it will make it easier for sellers and buyers alike. Sellers will easily reach potential customers and buyers will have the convenience of finding the goods or services they want to buy.

2. Social Computing in Business: Marketing

Marketing leads to the process of building customer relationships by creating value for customers and capturing value in return. There are many components to a marketing campaign, namely determining the target audience, developing messages related to problem-solving from potential customers, deciding how to convey the message with social networks, and product advertising handlers to follow-up consumers. Social computing is very useful for two marketing processes: advertising and market research. Social advertising itself is an ad format that uses the social context of the user who sees the ad. The first advertising to take advantage of user dynamics such as peer pressure, peer recommendations, and likes, and other forms of social influence. Besides, marketing uses demographics collected by market research firms as one of their main tools to identify and target potential customers. Obtaining this information is time-consuming and costly, as marketing professionals have to ask potential customers to provide it. Due to the open nature of social networks, merchants can easily find their customers, see what they are doing online, and see who their friends are. This information provides new opportunities to assess the market in near real-time. Companies use social computing tools to get feedback from customers.

3. Social Computing in Business: Customer Relationship Management

Today’s social computing has changed customer expectations and corporate capabilities in the field of customer relationship management. Companies monitor social computing closely, not only because they pay attention to negative comments posted by members of social networks, but also because they see opportunities to interact with customers actively and regularly, and reduce problems by improving customer service. Customers know how to use the wisdom and power of the crowd and community to profit. Where they interact with companies and brands and place high expectations on their experiences with the company. They not only act as buyers but also actively participate in the business as supporters and

influencers. Because of this, it is important for companies to pay attention to their relationship with consumers to increase the valuation of the company.

4. Social Computing in Business: Human Resource Management

Human resources (HR) departments in many organizations use social computing applications especially in the field of recruitment and training. Both recruiters and job seekers are moving to online social networks as recruitment platforms. Corporate recruiters scan online social networks to identify and find information about potential employees. If job seekers are online and active, there is a high chance that they will be seen by recruiters. In addition, on social networks, there are many passive job seekers where people who are working but would take a better job if they show up. So, it is important for active and passive job seekers to maintain an online profile that truly reflects their background and skills. Then there are several companies using the virtual world for training purposes. This is done in order to maximize time and find out how potential job seekers are.

Conclusion

Social computing is now very useful in supporting daily activities. This is because social computing has a system that can be used by various online activities. Wherewith the internet they use the web or application as a distributor. In business activities, of course, this is very useful for companies that run online businesses because there are several related things that are helped by the existence of social computing. This will not be separated by human resources who run the system so that it runs well. Social computing helps businesses carry out their processes more effectively and efficiently. In addition, it can also help consumers solve their problems.

Reference:

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