More on Social Networking and a Thought on STS

As a continuation from our conversation last week on social networking, I ran across this interesting article online: http://www.pcworld.com/article/205263/facebook_now_more_popular_than_google.html?tk=hp_new With Facebook leading the charge with 9.9% of our internet time, it reaffirms our assertion that firms must view these networks as opportunities. We are already seeing this from an advertisement standpoint. There was a time when Facebook wasn't overrun with sidebar ads, but they now not only exist is excess, but they are tailored to peak the interest of the user based on his or her profile information. 

On the STS question, I think that harmony can only be reached when a firm decides which of the four elements will serve as its anchor. One of the fundamental issues with MFC was that in theory the people and the organizational structure drove their STS, but in practice it was the technology. Studying the MFC case and discussing it in class reaffirmed that IT projects are business projects and that IT is a strategic partner of the firm. Separating the two leads to a fragmented and confused business process.