Are social networks an innovation?

In general, information technology and particularly the media and social platforms are erected as the cornerstone of present and future innovation. Both an information network as a social platform share the value of identifying measures of success or failure as far as innovation is concerned.

To be considered a success, the development must meet certain requirements and application needs. Social relations and structures that form around them is in the offline and online environment identify if there actually improves a product, if you have more value in a service or has used innovative ideas, if it has seized technology available in the markets, institutions or platforms.

Should be combined development activities, production and marketing and just these elements show the importance of social media as critical success factors for innovation, because they help improve the efficiency of the process from original idea to post-service sale.

• More effective communication and effective working

How to achieve this social media? Given that represent an evolution in the language, concepts and values ​​in organizations are built free interactions of a hierarchy or a market mechanism, that is, on an equal footing between people. Coordination between partners or associates that occurs in this way becomes a more efficient communication. However, the perceived benefits of nature are both objective and measures that can be understood in a subjective manner.

However, many advertising professionals and marketing experts became fans of social media because of the large amount of data they offer.

Beyond "social media" is impossible to access such a volume of information also allows segmented by target groups, understand trends and identify specific customer needs. As part of the movement "socialholic" all this would be unthinkable before the web 2.0 revolution.

A network is translated into better access to customer profiles and preferences. It also allows development of custom products on request of users. A better understanding of the environment leads to more efficient use of resources always scarce. Direct access to suppliers contributes to better management, logistics providers, competitive prices, more flexibility and less commitment on investment.

However, social media are of interest not only for business use or domestic: in politics social media play a crucial role.

• The crucial use of social media in politics

Politicians can reach voters through their profiles more directly, increasing transparency, influence the election results and even constitutes an empowering effect on the political revolutions . One example is the events surrounding the overthrow of former Egyptian President Mubarak, who had as a Facebook page epicenter .

Another good example is the success of the current U.S. president, Barack Obama , with the power of social platforms in their campaign. Four years later, Obama himself and his rival Mitt Romney use social media as part of their campaigns in the 2012.

• The diffusion of technology

The new information technologies and communication in social networks are a change "par excellence": The telecommunications industry and ICT plays an important role by providing the necessary technology, and ensure the dissemination within the economy, policy and domestic sectors. A lot of industries and applications have been based on this innovation .

It is therefore difficult to assimilate the great importance of social media in the emergence of an information society and knowledge. The various information technologies and new telecommunications technologies on which they depend, long headed towards convergence with a clear destination: a new way to communicate and work.