Preprint Review Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media for Organizational Engagement in SMEs: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Version 1 : Received: 16 October 2024 / Approved: 17 October 2024 / Online: 18 October 2024 (16:41:10 CEST)

How to cite: Mtjilibe, T.; Rameetse, E.; Mgwenya, N.; Thango, B. Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media for Organizational Engagement in SMEs: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Preprints 2024, 2024101438. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1438.v1 Mtjilibe, T.; Rameetse, E.; Mgwenya, N.; Thango, B. Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media for Organizational Engagement in SMEs: A Comprehensive Systematic Review. Preprints 2024, 2024101438. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1438.v1

Abstract

Social media platforms have become pivotal tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering vast opportunities for enhanced organizational engagement. However, these platforms also present challenges such as data privacy concerns, feedback management, and content saturation. This systematic review critically evaluates the existing literature on the dual role of social media in fostering organizational engagement while addressing key barriers faced by SMEs. We systematically assessed 104 peer-reviewed articles sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on the impact of social media on marketing strategies and organizational outcomes in SMEs. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment, and effect measures, including mean difference and odds ratio, were employed to evaluate performance metrics such as customer engagement, business performance, and long-term organizational impact. Key findings indicate that 74% of SMEs reported improvements in brand visibility, with customer engagement increasing by 65%. However, significant concerns were identified, with 45% of studies highlighting privacy issues and 52% addressing challenges in managing negative feedback. The review emphasizes that while social media can enhance market reach and customer interaction, its effectiveness largely depends on strategic content management and planning. This review provides actionable insights for SMEs aiming to optimize social media use, highlighting the need for future research to address privacy management and feedback strategies for sustained success.

Keywords

Social media strategies; SMEs; Organizational engagement; Digital transformation; Customer engagement; Data privacy; systematic review

Subject

Business, Economics and Management, Business and Management

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.