Author(s)

Amanda SmithFollow

Date

4-2012

Department

School of Communication and Digital Content

Degree

Master of Arts in Communication (MA)

Chair

Stuart H. Schwartz

Primary Subject Area

Sociology, Organizational; Mass Communications; Information Science; Health Sciences, Public Health

Keywords

Facebook, LinkedIn, Public Health, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube

Disciplines

Communication | Communication Technology and New Media | Health Communication | Public Health | Work, Economy and Organizations

Abstract

This paper investigates the uses and gratification of social media for both personal and organizational usage among employees at the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response/Center for Healthcare Solutions in New Haven, Connecticut. The purpose of this thesis is to assess and evaluate the relationship between YNH-CEPDR/CHS' usage of social media tools and the organization's employees' personal attitudes, beliefs and usage of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Employees of CEPDR/CHS were surveyed regarding the function of social media for emergency management communication and the promotion of products and services. Results suggest that while employees generally agree that social media is a valuable tool for both personal use and professional purposes, there is no current social media strategy being employed by the organization. Future research should investigate and measure the effects of specific social media strategies employed by emergency preparedness and disaster response organizations.

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