Social Networking – A method of self regulating the Industry?
19 August 2009
It is hard to pick up a newspaper or go on-line nowadays without coming across the term ‘social networking’. That is, the sharing of information and problem solving by a like minded group of people.
In recent times, however, the networks seem to focus on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.
There is nothing new in social networking, the gas industry has always used networks to share views, seek advice and problem solve. (In my day it was done in the fitter’s workshop and local café, but I don’t remember every calling it social networking!).
The question we should be asking is whether social networking could provide the basis on which the gas industry regulates itself, or at least makes a contribution to the process.
Without doubt social networking websites, for example Twitter, have encouraged new ways to communicate and share information, and are being used regularly by millions of people.
The rationale of the network system is based on there being more sensible suggestions, or answers to a question, than irresponsible responses. In theory the network will therefore ultimately self manage its own credibility.
A recent Channel 4 Documentary explored the potential benefits of mass collaboration for organisations. The programme suggests that the web is allowing the patterns of trust and recommendations that we all rely on, to be reproduced on a massive scale. The examples of this 21st-century phenomenon in action make clear to even the most sceptical, how online networks could be of benefit.
In addition to just sharing information mass collaboration has also had some interesting spins offs, for example...
Villagers in Kent have clubbed together to buy their local pub after it was abandoned by the previous landlord. The Farrier’s Arms in Mersham, has been bought by a consortium of 80 shareholders. The 'village owners' will now appoint a manager and will decide on what type of pub they want for their village, which beer they will sell, the food they will offer, the prices they will charge, and so on.
A further example is the ultimate football fantasy - In February 2008, the members of MyFootballClub, who pay £35 per year membership fee, purchased a professional football club, Ebbsfleet United, for £600,000. Situated in Kent, Ebbsfleet United play in the Blue Square Premier, which is four divisions below the Premiership.
MyFootballClub members can indicate their team selection before each game and are regularly given the opportunity to vote on important club decisions, for example, the colour and style of the first team strip, the weekly playing budget, the manager’s contract, and whether or not to sell their star players. In essence the World’s first web community owned football club.
Although the Channel 4 documentary discusses the possibility of mass collaboration being utilised as an alternative to the traditional model of central government, it is perhaps closer to home that we should focus.
The gas industry has over 100,000 paid up members of the Gas Safe Register – a register maintained by a third party (Capita), who were appointed by the HSE, following consultation with the ‘industry’ for their views, prior to the awarding of the contract.
Although primarily concerned with gas safety the organisation responsible for the register will still be seen by many as a regulatory ‘police force’ that makes decisions affecting every registered gas installer and registered company.
But what if we moved to the ‘mass collaboration model’ where the collective members, with the use of modern technology, were given the opportunity to discuss and vote on a range of decisions.
You can purchase a pub, and own and run a pro football team, so what about self managing gas registration, or at the very least be given the opportunity to contribute to the process?
Keywords: Gas Industry
Gas Registration
Social Networking
Wikipedia
Twitter
Community
Gas Safe
Gas Safety
Gas Safe Register
Capita
Web Community
Collaboration
MyFootballClub
