The use of social media and its potential in the research lifecycle

There is limited evidence regarding the use of social media in Operations Management research and how it could be used to support engagement and dissemination of outcomes (Rowlands et al., 2011). The literature shows that many academics rarely use these tools for research purposes even though they are recognised as powerful tools to develop and sustain their networks (RIN, 2010). In this paper the authors focus on exploring some of the benefits of using social media in OM research. The paper describes how social media supported and improved the engagement and dissemination of a Lean healthcare research project.