Social networking for successful utilization of technology

Abstract

This study investigates the impact that managerial networking knowledge has on the successful use of technologies in firms. A survey primarily of chief executive officers and vice presidents of 30 small manufacturing companies in a tristate region of the Midwest USA was conducted to determine the role that managerial networking knowledge has on (1) the overall number of technologies that a firm introduces and (2) the success rate of technology introduction as measured through usage and overall satisfaction. A mathematical model is constructed and used to analyze the effect of networking knowledge on the probability that an appropriate technology is chosen and used to increase the firm's value. The results of both the survey and the analysis show that managerial competence, defined as networking knowledge, is a critical success factor in technology utilization.<>