Enterprise 2.0, version 2.0

by Andrew McAfee on May 27, 2006

I’m not satisfied with my earlier definition of Enterprise 2.0, so let’s propose a refinement (I’m sorry if this feels a bit pedantic, but clear constructs are important to academics):

Enterprise 2.0 is the use of emergent social software platforms within companies, or between companies and their partners or customers.

Social software enables people to rendezvous, connect or collaborate through computer-mediated communication and to form online communities. (Wikipedia’s definition).

Platforms are digital environments in which contributions and interactions are globally visible and persistent over time.

Emergent means that the software is freeform, and that it contains mechanisms to let the patterns and structure inherent in people’s interactions become visible over time.

Freeform means that the software is most or all of the following:

  • Optional
  • Free of up-front workflow
  • Egalitarian, or indifferent to formal organizational identities
  • Accepting of many types of data

Examples of Enterprise 2.0

Not examples of Enterprise 2.0

  • Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, etc.  These are for individuals on the Web, not companies.  Some companies use sites like YouTube for viral and stealth marketing, but let’s explicitly put these activities outside our definition of Enterprise 2.0.
  • Most corporate Intranets today.  As discussed earlier, they’re not emergent.
  • Groupware and information portals.  Again, these tools don’t facilitate emergence, although this may be starting to change.  Groupware and portals also seem to be less freeform than the Web 2.0 technologies now starting to penetrate the firewall.
  • Email and ‘classic’ instant messaging, because transmissions aren’t globally visible or persistent.  Some messaging technologies do ensure that contributions are persistent.

How does this sound?  Is it the right definition?  Let us know.

{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }

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The whole definition is lucid and intuitive. It was as though built for beginners like me.

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jbpratt26 April 20, 2010 at 11:03 am

Good article. It seems Andrew McAfee does a great job of describing the various aspects of Enterprise 2.0 especially as the concepts change.

ksmith99 April 20, 2010 at 9:46 pm

I'd like to know why some of the sites you listed do not count as Enterprise 2.0 when you say they are not made for companies but individuals. I think most of them are used both for companies AND individuals. Doesn't this mean that they are Enterprise 2.0 as well? Does the fact that they have additional facets beyond Enterprise 2.0 mean they are not?

ezelizle April 22, 2010 at 11:35 am

To me Enterprise 2.0 is a term for the technologies and business practices that liberate the workforce from the constraints of legacy communication and productivity tools like email. It provides business managers with access to the right information at the right time through a web of inter-connected applications, services and devices. Enterprise 2.0 makes accessible the collective intelligence of many, translating to a huge competitive advantage in the form of increased innovation, productivity and agility.

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Serdar April 22, 2010 at 5:11 pm

You prefered also the non examples for the enterprise and it is good job..

johngh April 23, 2010 at 5:26 am

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cesaperde April 23, 2010 at 8:15 am

I think this definition is too focused on software and not enough on how these tools are used. Therefore, I don't consider this a complete definition of Enterprise 2.0 as a concept. I feal that Thomas may be correct about the enterprise being dead.

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sdickstein April 23, 2010 at 5:08 pm

complex ideas, simply articulated is the art mr. mcafee has portrayed in 'enterprise 2.0.' i recommend it to anyone with any thoughts of future success. great synthesis, professor!

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I'd like to know why some of the sites you listed do not count as Enterprise 2.0 when you say they are not made for companies but individuals. I think most of them are used both for companies AND individuals. Doesn't this mean that they are Enterprise 2.0 as well? Does the fact that they have additional facets beyond Enterprise 2.0 mean they are not?

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Mike Roberts July 2, 2010 at 1:51 am

I would agree that social software platforms are in a on going expansion as we speak.

Mike Roberts July 2, 2010 at 8:51 am

I would agree that social software platforms are in a on going expansion as we speak.

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marrylucas234 July 24, 2010 at 7:47 am

I do not spend money. Sometimes its hard for me to give me permission to experiment. I get this urge to invest in the long term. Darn you, compound interest.

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all natural face cream August 6, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Very well written. The examples and not examples are very well brought up. Good explanation of various concepts.

modular homes August 25, 2010 at 9:17 am

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Connie Woodson August 27, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Thank You for your “plain talk” on this discussion, clearly understood the differences of misconceptions on social platforms vs. those that are not.

Connie Woodson August 27, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Thanks for “plain talk” of social media platforms vs. social media within organizations, I am learning as much as I can to pursue a career in Social Media.

Connie Woodson August 27, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Social Media will eventually require measuring systems within organizations.

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