Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Social Networks In Business: A Research Essay.

Based on their literature review, students are required to write a business research proposal outlining the details of the proposed research project that addresses the gaps identified in the literature. Derived from the business topic, the proposal needs to include clearly state research questions (primary and secondary), and provide a solid research methodology that supports the feasibility of the research project
Marking criteria of the research proposal include: the justification of the research questions that operationalize the research topic; the demonstration of a detailed research methodology addressing research instrument, sample size and sampling approach, research location/s and schedule as well as providing a critical assessment of the limitations of the methodology and the expected outcome of the research project 

Role of Social Media Platforms for Business

This research proposal has been presented on the topic “Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business”. The social network has become an important part of the business which is being used for enhancing the customer base all around the globe. Marketing function of the business is performed by using social networking platforms. Modes of communication with the customers and potential customers are changing and with this changing aspect, business is using social networking platforms for interacting with the customers. Brand communication is being done with the social networks. Different functions of the business are being executed with the help of social networks (Vergeer & Liang, 2013). These functions include brand communication, market analysis and recruitment of employees. Business is using the social network for the purpose of targeting the demographics for enhancing the customer base of the business. Business analysis the different pros and cons associated with the use of social networks. This analysis helps in the decision-making process of the business regarding the use of social networks. There is an increase in the need to communicate with the customers and potential customers of the business (Vevere, 2015). Different factors have encouraged business to select social networks for marketing of the products or services.

The discussion will be made regarding the role played by social media platforms for the business. This research proposal will discuss the various advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business. This research will discuss different methods or approaches which will be applied for gathering the required information related to the research program.

The motive behind the execution of every activity is to achieve a goal. This goal guides the efforts in the right direction and results in attainment of the targets set. This research program has been conducted with a motive to gather information related to the role and importance of social networks for business. The analysis will be made regarding the increasing trend of using social networks in business. Business uses social networks after analysis of the various advantages and disadvantages related to it. Knowledge of these aspects will be developed from the execution of this research program. Different articles, journals and internet sources will be accessed for presenting the quality information related to the research program.

There is a shift towards the use of social networks in business for encouraging the communication process between the business and people. Social networking is being used by the businesses for promoting the products or services offered by them, analyzing the market and interacting with the customers. This research program will cover the trend of use of social networking in business. This research will also discuss the views of different authors towards the use of social network in business. Different advantages and disadvantages will be discussed related to the use of social network in business.

Advantages of Using Social Networks in Business

The importance of social networking in this dynamic business environment is increasing. Social networks are being used for the purpose of sharing of information and ensuring that business is capable of reaching a large number of users in less time. There is an increase in the number of people using social networks as a marketing tool. Businesses are analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of social networks in business. Social networks are the platforms which serve as a link between the business and key customers of the business (Oyza & Edwin, 2015). Different social networks are used by the businesses for the attainment of the objectives of the business. Social networks can be explained as those platforms which encourage social interaction between different individuals. Change in the business environment has increased the use of social networks in business. Different authors have presented different views regarding the use of social networks in business which are discussed in this research (Shafigullina & Palyakin, 2016).

In the words of Parveen (2012), social networks are offering a chance to develop a strong social network for encouraging the chances of success and growth along with meeting the needs of the business. The main objective behind the use of social network is to enhance the customer base of the business by communicating with the customers. Social networks are two-way communication tools which enhance the exchange of information between the business and customers. Another advantage of using social networks is a requirement of low cost and fewer efforts. Social networks help in enhancing the marketing function of the business and reduce the cost as well as efforts of the business. Sales of the products or services have been increased with the use of social networks. Different segments or demographics of the world can be easily targeted with the help of social networks. The social network has enabled the business to attract customers for expansion of the customer base and making a global presence (Qualman, 2010).

According to Abdulahi, et. al. (2014), there are various disadvantages of using social networks in business. One of the most important disadvantages associated with the use of social networks time investment. Social network involves time on the part of business as there is a need to manage the different social networking platforms. Another disadvantage of a social network is lack of control on the feedbacks from the customers. Social networking platforms are an open platform where everyone has the freedom to give their views. Social networks can result in failure of the marketing strategies of the business. Competitors of the business can use social networking platforms for harming the reputation of the business. Privacy of the business is at risk due to the use of social networking platforms. This confidential information can be used by the competitors for gaining an advantage. Hackers can hack the accounts of the business and gain the advantage of the information hacked (Lee & Chen, 2011).

Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business

Primary research questions for this research are listed below:

• What are advantages and disadvantages of adopting social networks for marketing of the products or services of the business?

Secondary research questions for the research are as follows:

• What is the role of social network in this changing business environment?
• What is the trend of use of social networks in business?
• Which factors are responsible for the rise in the number of businesses adopting social networks in business?

• Social networks are used as a marketing tool by the businesses.
• Social networks have adversely affected the image or reputation of the business.

Research methods define the different methods or approaches which will be used for the collection of the data related to the research program. Data will be collected from the different sources for enhancing the quality of the research.

Research design or method: for the execution of the research, different research methods are available. These research methods include experimental research method, observational research method, quantitative research method, opinion based research method, qualitative research method, descriptive research method and mixed research methods. Quantitative research method will be followed for this research proposal for the collection of the data related to the research. Primary and secondary sources will be applied for gathering the relevant and quality information (Brunsdon, 2017).

Research approach: quantitative research approach has been selected for this research proposal. This research approach helps in conducting the systematic empirical investigation for observing and collecting data. Primary and secondary sources of data have been selected for the purpose of collection of the required information. The questionnaire will be prepared for gathering primary data. Internet sources will be used for gathering secondary data (Zyphur & Pierides, 2017).

Data collection: data is collected for developing understanding of the research topic and aspects associated to it. Reliability, authenticity, and quality of the research are relying on the methods used for collection of data. Primary and secondary sources of data collection will be applied for gathering quality data. Primary data is collected for presenting a raw form of data and questionnaire will be prepared for the attainment of the objective (Thomas, 2015). Secondary data is collected with the help of internet sources, journals and articles which are collected and used by others. Secondary sources are considered more reliable in comparison to primary sources as these have been already collected and used (Johnston, 2014).

Procedures and techniques: huge quantity of data will be collected with the use of data collection methods. Due to the availability of limited time, random sampling technique will be applied in this research program. The motive behind the use of random sampling technique is to analyze the data in an effective manner for successfully completing the research. Random sampling technique ensures that every sample is given equal chance of getting selected (Nishad & Sankar, 2016).

Research strategies: for the execution of the research program effectively, a research strategy has been selected and will be applied for completing the research. This strategy will help in conducting the research in a sequence and completing the research by covering different aspects related to the research program. A systematic strategy will be followed for guiding the efforts of the researcher in right direction.

Primary and Secondary Research Questions

Choice: For conducting this research project on the selected topic, different approaches or methods are adopted. Selection of the approaches or methods has been done after properly analyzing different them. Different alternatives have been analyzed and evaluated and selection has been made after analyzing the requirement of the research program.

Research time frame: time available for the execution of the research is limited. For completing the research within the limited timeframe and in an effective manner, an action plan has been prepared. This action plan will help in covering every activity of the research properly for the attainment of the objectives of the research.

Collection of data and targeted market: the targeted market can be explained as identifying the sources or targeting the population from where information will be gathered. Primary sources of data collection will be collected with the help of a questionnaire. This questionnaire will be distributed among the employees of the organizations for collecting information related to the research program (Peersman, 2014). Secondary data will be gathered from the internet sources and data will be used which has been collected or prepared after the year 2008.

Ethical consideration: ethics need to be considered for ensuring that the research is executed in the right manner. Various ethical principles will be considered while executing this research program. Principles which will be followed in this research program include confidentiality, honesty, integrity, and fairness.

Information for the research program has been gathered by applying analysing various secondary sources of data collection available over the internet. From the analysis of the different secondary sources of data collection, it can be stated that social networking has gained much importance. The number of businesses using social networking platforms has increased with the change in the business environment. Analysis has been regarding the various advantages and disadvantages of social networking platforms which are being analyzed by the business. Traditional media was used by the business for the purpose of marketing of the products or services of the business. There were few disadvantages associated with the use of traditional media and these disadvantages include one-way communication process, low coverage and high cost is involved. For overcoming these disadvantages, social networks are being used by the businesses. Social networks are offering information related to the business to the customers as well as to the customers regarding the business (Vásquez and Escamilla, 2014).

It has been analyzed that with the use of social networks, communication process between the business and customers have enhanced. The customer base of the business has been enhanced with the use of social networks. It has served the purpose of the business as it is a two-way communication process which has enhanced the flow of information. Impact of the use of social network can be seen on the sales of the business. Customers belonging from the different segments can be easily targeted with the use of social network. On the contrary, social networks have increased the threat to the privacy and confidentiality of the business. Confidential information may get leaked and used by the competitors. Businesses losses control over the reactions of the business as customers are free to express their views. Time investment increases as a business need to regularly update the information on the social networks (Leonardi, et. al., 2013).

Research Methods

Every activity is executed with a motive to execute in an effective manner by eliminating the different limitations faced. These limitations can create adverse impact on the research process. Different limitations can affect the execution process of the research program which needs to be eliminated. These research limitations include limited availability of time for the execution of the research program, lack of access to the information for the research and shortage of the resources required for conducting the research. For coping with the limitation of limited time, random sampling technique will be applied in this research. For overcoming the lack of access to information, primary and secondary data will be used in this research.

Conclusion

Thus, from the execution of this research proposal, it can be summarised from the above discussion that social network is crucial aspect for every business. These social networks have contributed towards the growth and expansion of the business. Social networks are being preferred as a marketing tool by the business so as to cope with the increasing level of competition in the business environment, enhancing the customer base, analysis of the market, changing aspects of the business environment and communicating with the customers. There are various advantages and disadvantages of using social networks. These advantages include effective communication with the customer, resolving the issues faced by the customers, developing knowledge of the taste and preference of the customers and increasing brand awareness. Disadvantages of using the social network in business include a negative impact on the reputation of the business, lack of confidentiality, less control on the reaction of the people towards the business and temporary effects.

References

Abdulahi, A., Samadi, B. & Gharleghi, B., 2014, “A Study on the Negative Effects of Social Networking Sites Such as Facebook among Asia Pacific University Scholars in Malaysia”, International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 5, No. 10.

Brunsdon, C., 2017, “Quantitative methods II”, Progress in Human Geography, 41(4), pp.512–523.

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

Lee, S. & Chen, M., 2011, “An integrative research framework for the online social network service”, Service Business, 5(3), pp.259–276.

Leonardi, P.M., Huysman, M. and Steinfield, C., 2013, “Enterprise social media: Definition, history, and prospects for the study of social technologies in organizations”, Journal of Computer?Mediated Communication, 19(1), pp.1-19.

Mershon, P., 2011, “26 Promising Social Media Stats for Small Businesses”, Social Media Examiner.

Nishad, P.M. & Sankar, S., 2016, “Efficient random sampling statistical method to improve big data compression ratio and pattern matching techniques for compressed data”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 179.

Olenski, S., 2013, “Social Media Usage Up 800% For U.S. Online Adults In Just 8 Years”, Forbes.

Oyza, I. & Edwin, A. M., 2015, “Effectiveness of Social Media Networks as a Strategic Tool for Organizational Marketing Management”, Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce.

Parveen, F., 2012, “Impact of Social Media Usage On Organizations”, In PACIS, pp. 192.

Peersman, G., 2014, “Overview: Data Collection and Analysis Methods in Impact Evaluation”, Unicef.

Qualman, E., 2010, “Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business”, John Wiley & Sons.

Shafigullina, A. & Palyakin, R., 2016, “Social Media Marketing as an Effective Instrument of the Promotion of Social Business-Project in Social Entrepreneurial Activity”, Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, 20, pp.1–7.

Thomas, J. A., 2015, “Using unstructured diaries for primary data collection”, Nurse researcher, vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 25.

Vásquez, G.A.N. and Escamilla, E.M., 2014, “Best practice in the use of social networks marketing strategy as in SMEs”, Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 148, pp.533-542.

Vergeer, M. & Liang, C., 2013, “China’s Creative Industries: Copyright, Social Network Markets and the Business of Culture in a Digital Age”, New Media & Society, 15(1), pp.157–158.

Vevere, V., 2015, “Impact Of Social Media On Interpersonal Communication Patterns”, Socialini? moksl? studijos. 7(1): 124–138.

York, J., 2013, “The Social Business Network”, Forbes.

Zyphur, M. & Pierides, D., 2017, “Is Quantitative Research Ethical? Tools for Ethically Practicing, Evaluating, and Using Quantitative Research”, Journal of Business Ethics, 143(1), pp.1–16.