Social media discomfort: The clash between the old and the new at work

Abstract

This research investigates a conventional professional work practice and hesitant attitudes and feelings related to an introduction of a social media tool for communication and collaboration. The study was conducted at a wellestablished, international product development company in the electronic industry. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with engineers from the company's R&D site. Based on the data analysis, the key findings focus upon a perception of Social Media Discomfort (SMD). Factors that constitute SMD can be divided into factors relating to arenas of social interaction (socialness) and into factors mirroring a goal-orientation in attending to work duties (usefulness). The study extends our understanding of why people might reject new social media tools. The results of this study indicate that it happens if the tools are perceived as disconnected to established structures, tools, norms and ideals shared in the workplace. The SMD occurs especially in connection with the adoption of the tool. Understanding the dual nature of uncertainty, i.e. socialness and usefulness, in relation to new social media tools is of relevance for both practitioners and scholars working with issues of the increasingly complex information environment at work.

Making design researchers' information sharing visible through material objects

“…The dropbox can be regarded as one of several contemporary web‐based technologies that are often categorized as participatory or social media and are therefore charged with a certain energy that sometimes evokes rather strong opinions and emotions: what Forsgren and Byström () term “social media discomfort.” It may give rise to the use of dichotomies such as new and old, modern and old‐fashioned. It is thus not only the function but also the perceived “newness” that is potentially attractive or unattractive.…”

A Research Literature Study of Enterprise SocialMedia Platforms in Organizations

“…Although positive experiences with ESMPs in particular organizations, researchers also point out the challenges with adopting and implementing the same technology in organizations. Researchers use different terminologies to describe this phenomena, like "social networking effectiveness" (Figueiredo et al 2009), "social media discomfort" (Forsgren and Byström 2011) or "IT-culture conflict" (Koch et al 2013). Therefore, this research stream is called "ESMP skepticism and challenges" and counts 7 journal and research papers.…”

Multiple social media in the workplace: Contradictions and congruencies

“…Similarly, in terms of information sharing, DiMicco et al () identified three strategies—caring, climbing, and campaigning—used by the employees in a social networking site. Finally, discomfort to expose one's expertise in social media is another factor that can influence adoption and differs amongst employees (Forsgren & Byström, ).…”