Research carried out by IT industry analyst Gartner predicted that 20 per cent of businesses will have to replace email with social networking services as the main tool for interpersonal communications by 2014.
The organisation claimed that the coming years will see more firms allow their workers to use social networking for business purposes and they could even build platforms of their own for staff.
Matt Cain, research vice president at Gartner, explained: 'The rigid distinction between email and social networks will erode. Email will take on many social attributes, such as contact brokering while social networks will develop richer email capabilities.'
The organisation recommended that companies formulate a long-term strategy for using social networking for business purposes in order to ensure the transition goes smoothly.
Recruitment expert Felix Wetzel recently predicted that more firms will start to view candidates' online profiles in order to determine their suitability for a position.
The organisation claimed that the coming years will see more firms allow their workers to use social networking for business purposes and they could even build platforms of their own for staff.
Matt Cain, research vice president at Gartner, explained: 'The rigid distinction between email and social networks will erode. Email will take on many social attributes, such as contact brokering while social networks will develop richer email capabilities.'
The organisation recommended that companies formulate a long-term strategy for using social networking for business purposes in order to ensure the transition goes smoothly.
Recruitment expert Felix Wetzel recently predicted that more firms will start to view candidates' online profiles in order to determine their suitability for a position.
