Social Media Data Management in a Governmental Setting

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to look at how two different Council’s managed social media and its immediate data. Social media’s vast growth in recent years has seen many organisations use social media to their advantage. To understand this topic further, research was undertaken to see how local governments are using social media and seeing if they social media effectively. This existing research was compared and analysed against the authors primary research so conclusions were drawn Semi-structured interviews were carried out in both Council’s to extract information based on the subject area. The aims and objectives were analysed in comparison to the findings from the two interviews and were then related back to any existing literature. This led to the author being able to make recommendations to Bridgend Council based on any findings within the study. The findings concluded many Council’s had grasped the basic uses of social media, and are now ready to use social media in a more advanced method. It also suggested Cardiff Council had incorporated uses of social media better than Bridgend Council, as they utilised more advanced data collection techniques, had a broader range of platforms and had implemented a successful social media strategy they adhere to.