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It’s likely that only a small group of users will actively participate in an enterprise social network. But that can still be enough to generate a positive return on investment.

Enterprise social networks—internal platforms designed to foster collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing among employees—are yet another tool for improving how work gets done. But they are unlikely to replace e-mail and other forms of communication, according to Deloitte’s analysis.

Most enterprises are jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to investing in social networks. Yet relatively few of their employees are actively participating. Although the low rates of active participation may seem disappointing, they are consistent with the “natural ceiling” on participation that’s found in public social networks and with other enterprise collaboration tools.

In most social networks, a small group of users contributes the lion’s share of the content, while a larger group reads but doesn’t contribute content, and a third group neither reads nor contributes.

Given the modest rates of participation, enterprises should set the right expectations for their social networks. Because most networks aren’t expensive to implement, even small improvements in communication, collaboration, or knowledge sharing will likely produce a positive return on investment.

To promote adoption, companies can provide training and communicate the benefits of participation. The tipping point in building engagement will come when enterprises are able to make social networks part of their existing workflows and business processes. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited researchers Duncan Stewart and Paul Lee explain further in this TMT Predictions video.