Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Social Networks For Businesses: An Essay.

The Role of Social Networking Platforms for the Business

Questions:

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Social Networks For The Business?

What Is The Role Of Social Networking Platforms For The Business?

Why Are Businesses Using Social Networking Platforms?

This research program has been initiated on the topic “Advantages and Disadvantages of using Social Networks in Business”. According to Sinclaire & Clinton (2011), social networks are widely being used by the businesses for the purpose of interacting and communicating with the people for establishing social relationships. Impact of social networks can be seen on the performance of the organizations. Social networks are being used by the businesses as a marketing tool for the promotion of the product or services offered by the business (Siricharoen, 2012). Implementation of the marketing strategies is being implemented with the use of social networks. Different businesses are using social networks for the purpose of enhancing their performance and marketing of the business (Baruah, 2012). With the change in the business environment, there has been a rise in the use of social networks by the businesses. Businesses are using social networks for the purpose of interacting with the customers or potential customers (Jefferson & traughber, 2012).

This research program will discuss the role or importance of social networks for businesses. It will also discuss the various advantages or disadvantages of using social networks to the business. Social networks have affected the businesses in positive as well as negative manner. For the fulfillment of objective of the research, data will be assembled with the use of different approaches or methods.

Importance of social networks in the business environment is increasing due to various reasons. There are various aspects attached to social networks which determine the decision of business towards the use of social networks for the business. The objective behind the execution of this research program is to identify the various advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business. Different organizations are using social networks for enhancing the communication process of the organization with the customers or potential customers. Knowledge of the role of social networks will be developed in this research program along with the benefits and drawbacks of social networks for business.

The scope defines the aspects which will be covered in the research program. Scope covers the aspects discussed for the attainment of the objectives of the research. The discussion will be made regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking platforms for the business. The analysis will be done of the different organizations using social networking for the identification of the positive and negative impact of these platforms. This research program will focus on comparing the impact of shortcoming and virtue of the social networking platforms for the purpose of analysis of the impact of these networking platforms on the business. 

Why Are Businesses Using Social Networking Platforms?

In the words of Khouli (2013), social networking platforms play a vital role in this changing business environment. Communication is an important element for every organization on which performance of the business is dependent. For the purpose of enhancing the flow of information between the organization and customers or potential customers, social networking platforms are being used (Hajli, 2015). Social networking platforms are being used for connecting with the customers or potential customers and promoting the products or services. Social networking platforms have enhanced the flow of information and helped the organizations in targeting the market in a better manner (Berzal, 2013).

Social networking platforms have affected the business in positive as well as negative manner. Different organizations are using social networks for the purpose of implementing the marketing plans of the organization. Social networks are considered as an integral element of the marketing policy of the organizations (Han & Windsor, 2011). Use of social networking platforms has resulted in a reduction in the cost, enhancing the customer base of the organization, enhancing the marketing publicity, enhancing the growth of the business, better communication process and getting instant feedback from the customers (Shin, 2010).

On the other hand, there are few drawbacks attached to the use of social networking platforms for the business. These disadvantages of using social networking platforms include lack of security to the confidential data of the organization, increase in the number of cyber-attacks, incurring hidden cost, negative promotion of the organization and requirement of regular monitoring is there (Paquette, 2013). 

The research program has been conducted with a motive to assemble data regarding the research topic. Data will be assembled for presenting the different aspects related to the research topic in a better manner. Data collection process will be initiated for the accumulation of the required data. For the initiation of the data collection process, different methods or approaches will be adopted in this research. Social networks are widely being used by the businesses operating in the dynamic business environment for gaining a competitive advantage over the others. Research approaches will be adopted for assembling of the data related to the use of social networks, advantages, and disadvantages of social networks.

Research design or method: for execution of the data and gathering quality data, explanatory research design has been selected from the available alternatives. According to ACAPS (2012), explanatory research design will help in generating data regarding the use of social networking platforms for the business and advantages and disadvantages of using social networking platforms for the business. Explanatory research is an effective approach for gaining knowledge of the concept properly (Terrell, 2012). The explanatory research will help in the accumulation of the data regarding the behavior of the market (Subedi, 2016). The quantitative method has been chosen so as to gather data with the use of primary and secondary sources. This research design will ensure that the reliable data is presented regarding the use of social networking platforms.

Importance of Social Networks for Businesses

Data collection: a collection of data will be done by adopting primary and secondary sources of data collection. Accumulation of data is to be done for presenting data and developing knowledge regarding the research topic. Primary data can be understood as the raw data which is collected exclusively for the research by the researcher (Nicholson & Bennett, 2008). It is considered first-hand data as this is directly collected from the respondents by the researcher. Secondary data can be understood as the second-hand data which is accumulated from the secondary sources such as internet or newspapers. Secondary data is preferred more as it is more reliable (Johnston, 2014).

Procedures and techniques: data accumulated with the help of primary and secondary sources need to be arranged and analyzed properly for drawing the key aspects of the findings. For the analysis of the data within the short span of time allocated for the research, random sampling technique will be applied. Random sampling technique is an approach which is used for the selection of the samples from the total population by providing equal opportunities to every sample (Banerjee, 2012). Random sampling has been considered for this research program for the purpose of selecting the samples from the data collected in an unbiased manner.

Research strategies: execution of the research will be done in a pre-decided order so as to ensure that every activity is covered. For the successful completion of the research, it is vital to conduct the research in an order.

Research timeframe: there is lack of sufficient time period for the execution of the research. For the purpose of conducting the research within the allocated time period, an action plan has been prepared.

Collection of data and targeted market: data collection process will be carried out by using primary and secondary sources. For the collection of primary data, the questionnaire will be formed and distributed among the employees of the organizations using social networking platforms. For the collection of secondary data, internet sources will be accessed. For maintaining the quality of the secondary data, internet sources which are reliable and authentic have been selected.

Ethical consideration: during the execution of the research program on the selected topic, the focus will be on complying with the ethical values or principles. Ethical values followed during the execution process of the research program include confidential, fairness and integrity.

Limitations can be defined as the challenges or hurdles which influence the research program and are not in the control of the researcher. Research limitations act as shortcomings or issues which can affect the quality of the research program. Interpretation of the findings of the research may get affected due to the limitations. It is essential to adopt strategies which help in coping with the limitations identified in the research program. These limitations are lack of permission to access to the data, allocation of the short span of time for the completion of the research and limited resources such as finance and human resource.

Scope of the Research

This research program will ensure that the knowledge of the concept of social networking platforms will be developed. This research will help in contributing to the knowledge regarding the use of social networking platforms for the businesses. Different advantages and disadvantages will be discussed so as to help the decision-making process of the business. The discussion will be done of the manner in which social networking platforms are being used as a marketing tool for the enhancing the performance of the business.

Gantt chart

Conclusion

Thus, from the above discussion, it has been stated that social networking platforms play a crucial role for every business. Social networking platforms have helped businesses in developing a healthy relationship with the customers or potential customers. Social networking platforms have contributed to the performance of the business. The number of organizations using social networking platforms has increased due to various reasons. Businesses are taking a decision regarding the use of social networking platforms on the basis of a number of factors. This program has discussed the role and importance of social networking platforms for the business. This program has also discussed different benefits and drawbacks of social networking platforms.

Advantages of using social networking platforms for the business include enhancement of the customer base of the organization, better growth opportunities, enhanced communication process, better marketing of the business, reducing the wastage of resources including time and finance and instant feedback. Disadvantages of using social networking platforms are lack of security to the confidential data, negative publicity of the organization, cyber-attacks, online threats and hidden cost.

References

ACAPS, 2012, “Qualitative and Quantitative Research Techniques for Humanitarian Needs Assessment”, ACAPS.

Banerjee, M., 2012, “Simple Random Sampling”, University of Michigan.

Baruah, T. D., 2012, “Effectiveness of Social Media as a tool of communication and its potential for technology enabled connections: A micro-level study”, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 2, Issue 5.

Berzal, C., 2013, “Impact of Social Networking on Businesses”, eMarket Services. Available at: https://www.emarketservices.com/clubs/ems/prod/E-Business%20Issue%20-Impact%20of%20social%20networking%20on%20businesses.pdf

Hajli, M. N., 2015, “A study of the impact of social media on consumers”, International Journal of Market Research, Vol. 56, Issue 3.

Han, B.O. & Windsor, J., 2011, “Users’ willingness to pay on social network sites”, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Vol. 51, 4, pp. 31-40.

Jefferson, C. E. & traughber, S., 2012, “Social Media in Business: How Social Media Can Help Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations”, Cameron University.

Johnston, M. P., 2014, “Secondary Data Analysis: A Method of which the Time Has Come”, Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries (QQML), 3:619 –626.

Khouli, M. E., 2013, “The Most Important Negative Aspects of Using Social Networking Affecting the Family Stability in Abu Dhabi- A Pilot Study”, IACSIT International Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 5, No. 1.

Nicholson, S. W. & Bennett, T. B., 2008, “Transparent Practices: Primary and Secondary Data in Business Ethics Dissertations”, Journal of Business Ethics.

Paquette, H., 2013, “Social Media as a Marketing Tool: A Literature Review”, Major Papers by Master of Science Students, Paper 2.

Shin, D. H., 2010, “The effects of trust, security and privacy in social networking: a security-based approach to understand the pattern of adoption”, Interacting with Computers, 22, 5, pp. 428^138.

Sinclaire, J. K. & Clinton, E. V., 2011, “Adoption of social networking sites: an exploratory adaptive structuration perspective for global organizations.”, Information Technology Management, 12: 293-314.

Siricharoen, W. V., 2012, “Social Media, How does it Work for Business?”, International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 4.

Subedi, D., 2016, “Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method Design as the Third Research Community of Knowledge Claim”, American Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 4, No. 7, pp. 570-577.

Terrell, S. R., 2012, “Mixed-Methods Research Methodologies”, The Qualitative Report, Volume 17, Number 1, pp. 254-280.