Business Development Through Online Networking
http://www.iabc.com/cwb/archive/2004/0404/onlinenetworking.htm

Teten, David and Scott Allen
Communication World Bulletin
2004

Abstract:

Recently, business networking has been perceived negatively due to its widespread use in the network marketing industry and the proliferation of “lead generation clubs” that focus on impersonal lead referrals rather than on building relationships. The surge in popularity of social networking sites on the Internet, however, has sparked a renewed interest in meaningful discussion and research on the value and importance of “networking,” particularly to mainstream businesses.