After all, we most often associate social media for business purposes with new industries. However, several analysts have argued that social media can greatly benefit the construction industry. Writing in The Guardian, Brown (2012) has pointed out that some of the problems specific to the construction industry can uniquely benefit from social media—despite the fact that construction companies have overwhelmingly been reluctant to adopt social media programs. For example, the author points out that many of the problems arising in the construction industry are due to issues in communication. Integrating social media into construction projects would allow for different partners to communicate better, in addition to better communication between clients and firms. Brown (2012) points to how recently British construction firms have taken to social media, which has enabled them to better respond to clients and deal with sustainability challenges, like the importance of retrofitting as party of the UK’s Green Deal initiative. One study utilizing data collection, a survey instrument, and open-ended interviews found that while the construction industry is beginning to use social media in order to recruit, disseminate news, network with clients, increase brand awareness, and showcase innovations, “most companies have not explored the full potential of social media and [are] …show more content…
The answer given was interesting on two fronts. First, the respondent answered that social media was an important part of “increasing the market share”—a very common perspective by western business standards. The second interest part of the answer occurred when the respondent reported that social media helped the firm introduce itself to new investors entering into the UAE market. During the literature review and many of the articles surveyed, this response was not indicated in some of the common responses as to why firms utilize social media. In Dubai and the Gulf in general, markets have been rapidly expanding since the 1970s, both in terms of capital and personnel. With new investors moving into this market, as the respondent said, social media offers a good mechanism to become recognized and build an important reputation in the