Battling over control of social networking sites

Growth of internal social networks creates a management tug-of-war

A looming turf battle over who should control internal corporate social networking sites could come down to who manages the budget. But some communicators agree that it should be a shared responsibility.

Facebook-type social media sites are on the rise as companies aim to improve communication and network employees.

The International Association for Human Resource Information Management found that social networking is on the rise for companies in 2008 but forecasts a “turf battle” between HR and corporate communicators, Workforce.com reported.

A company-based social media site also poses challenges, including the control and oversight of content, communicators say.

The owner of control over social networking sites belongs to the budget manager, said Priya Bates, a senior internal communications contract with Loblaw Companies Limited, a Canada-based retailer.