Benefits and Risks of Social Business: Are Companies Considering E-Discovery?

Abstract

Using social media in business, referred to as social business, is exploding. In reviewing past research according to brand-driving efforts for products, customers, employees, and business partners, we find a focus on benefits, with little attention to risks. Seemingly disregarded in the IS literature is the risk of electronic discovery resulting from legal actions. We categorize and exemplify risks, while analyzing the legal risk. We conclude by providing recommendations for practice and directions for future research.

Keywords:

• social business
• risks
• e-discovery
• Electronically Stored Information (ESI)
• legal issues

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janice C. Sipior

Janice C. Sipior is a professor in the Accounting & Information Systems Department at Villanova University. Her academic experience includes faculty positions at University of Warsaw, Poland, Moscow State Linguistic University, Russia, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA, and Canisius College, USA. She is Chair of the Association for Computing Machinery-Special Interest Group on Management Information Systems (ACM-SIGMIS) and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Information Systems Management, Senior Editor of Data Base, and Associate Editor of Information Resources Management Journal. Her research interests include ethical and legal aspects of information technology, system development strategies, and knowledge management.

Burke T. Ward

Burke T. Ward is a professor in the Department of Marketing and Business Law at Villanova University. He was a visiting professor at Moscow State Linguistic University in Russia and University of Warsaw in Poland. He is also a practicing attorney and financial consultant. He has published numerous articles in the areas of taxation, estate planning, ethics, information systems, and employment law.

Linda Volonino

Linda Volonino is a professor in the Marketing and Information Systems Department at Canisius College and also teaches in the Forensic Accounting graduate program. She is a computer forensics investigator, e-discovery consultant, and author. Recently, she was a visiting professor at Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Graduate School of Business in Amman, Jordan.