(PDF) Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Network in Business
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Business1 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING SOCIAL NETWORKS IN BUSINESS By (Student Name) Class/Course Name Professor/Tutor Institution City, State Date
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Business2 Table of Contents 1.Introduction.........................................................................................................................3 2.Project Objective.................................................................................................................4 3.Project Scope......................................................................................................................4 4.Literature Review...............................................................................................................5 4.1.Introduction.................................................................................................................5 4.2.Evolution.....................................................................................................................5 4.3.Advantages..................................................................................................................6 4.4.Disadvantages..............................................................................................................7 5.Research Questions/Hypothesis..........................................................................................7 6.Research Design and Methodology....................................................................................7 7.Research Limitations..........................................................................................................9 8.Time Schedule/Research plan.............................................................................................9 9.Conclusion........................................................................................................................10 10.Reference List...............................................................................................................11 11.Appendix.......................................................................................................................13 11.1.Appendix 1: Common Types of Social Media Channels......................................13
Business3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business 1.Introduction Social networks and social media websites have the ability to provide businesses with numerous positive aspects that may have been previously unavailable, or relatively difficult for them to acquire on their own. With the right strategies and intervention platforms, social networks provide businesses with a new avenue through which they can advertise, and revolutionize the ways in which they present their services and products to their customers (Cook, 2017). Using social networks, businesses are able to establish an image of innovation that caters to generations of all ages, while giving them a direct means of communication with their consumers. Feedback acquired through these processes aid businesses in tailoring their product designs and updating old products with the purpose of improving how companies can conduct their business. With the vast amount of information that social network users put online, companies can currently simply modify their marketing plans, and streamline their advertisements for specific target markets. Businesses are therefore provided with another opportunity to learn the minds and preferences of their customers on a global scale. As is evident in any new ideas, there are also disadvantages when it comes to using social media sites, such as malware attacks and loss in productivity(Blackwell et al., 2017). As such, this project aims to delve into the common social networks used by businesses, the disadvantages and advantages of using these platforms, and analyze, based on dominant social network platforms, how it is likely to impact businesses in the coming future. 2.Project Objective When in search of a business perspective, it has become more evident over the last two decades that social media marketing allows for several new opportunities for businesses to market their product, brands and services. As a result of the freedom and personal autonomy presented by the Internet, users are currently increasingly interacting with one
Business4 another to share their opinions and experiences about specific services and products that they have either heard about or tested on their own. Regardless, it is still somewhat unclear as to what the real benefits that social networks present, as well as the specific techniques that are mostly effective in attaining success(Evans, 2008). The main objective of this project is therefore to uncover the benefits and disadvantages of social network use, while researching on the potential impacts of social network on businesses in the future. 3.Project Scope A closer look at the benefits and disadvantages of marketing using social networking in businesses has the ability to aid in understanding the influence each channel, their applicability as well as their future impact on people and businesses. The main reason for selecting this topic is therefore based on the massive use of social networks in several aspects of the business, that is the internet forms the foundation for telecommunication systems and social media use is simple an extension of it. As a result of the connectors facilitated by the internet, social media has therefore become an important part of personal lives and businesses (Gratton & Gratton, 2012). 4.Literature Review 4.1.Introduction Social networking is the most widely used form of social media in businesses mainly due to its ability to interconnect with other people, while creating a community. It is therefore perfect for establishing relationships, rather than simply being a platform making announcements through posts(Klein, 2010). Hence, managers can easily use it as an internal basethrough which the workforce can communicate and attract potential customers and staff members.
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Business5 4.2.Evolution It was not until the year 1960 that internet-based technology first came into being. In its earliest form, today’s internet was first described as ARPANET, which was first developed in the year 1969 for the United States Department of Defence, under the Advanced Research Project Agency. The ARPANET was initially supposed to be a mode of communication through which electronic forms bearing military data could be transferred without interception or disturbances. The first electronic mail group was later developed in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson. In 1991, exactly twenty years later, Tim-Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, and along with it the Hypertext Markup Language that solves its links. Social networking is a concept that came into being as early as 1960, after the setting up of the first technology of the internet. Its very first systems were in the form of online communities, such as the Usenet, which was established by Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis, all of whom were graduates of Duke University(Tiago & VerĂssimo, 2014).This concept made it easier for people to freely share their perspectives while giving suggestions. A similar social network, known as the Bulletin Board System, was invented in 1984, thus making it easier for the upcoming of social platforms, websites, and the World Wide Web. Founded in 2003 by Jonathan Abrams was one of the most dominant social platforms – Friendster. There were others, such as MySpace and LinkedIn, which were similarly popular. A year later, social networking became a trend that facilitated the development of Facebook in the year 2006(Mingers, 2008). At the moment, Facebookis the most successful social media platform boasting more than one billion active users on its apps and various pages(Li, 2017). Several sources indicate that Facebook, being the most popular platform, has become the first stop for social network users. It has therefore become a platform upon which
Business6 businesses can register their presence and share their services. Similarly, Facebook’s flexible and simple usage makes it the most suitable fit for businesses. Other platforms, like Google+, have received a lot of attention due to their various distinct advantages. For example, Google+ allow businesses to access favorable ratings from customers, which makes it easier for them to develop more customized interactions with their customers(Wei & Gao, 2017). Twitter also allows businesses to create s steady flow of their links, news and headlines, whereas Instagram and Pinterest create a common stream of videos and images to facilitate a visual mode of storytelling for their consumers (see appendix 1). 4.3.Advantages The advantages of integrating social networking with business are not only clear, but also significant. Sources indicate that 90% of approximately 3300 businesses attest to the importance of social media to their businesses, such as the ability to reach out to a significantly larger audience, create increased awareness of their products, communicate with their consumers at their convenience, and outsource opportunities at minimal cost. In short, these benefits contribute to the expansion of the companies through advertisements, surveys, and networking(Evans, 2008). 4.4.Disadvantages Despite the great amount of evidence supporting the integration of social media into businesses, there is relatively no action without potential risk. While the issues related to the use of social networking platforms are not resultant of the sites themselves, the problems are highly likely brought about by the employees. These include matters that could affect the business’ reputation and confidentiality, including production and productivity levels, and network security. Businesses are therefore required to first extensively research and come up with ways in which they can protect themselves from potential threats that could harm the interest of the company and its employees(Dan, 2009).
Business7 5.Research Questions/Hypothesis Following the main objective of this project, the primary research question is as follows: 1.What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking in businesses? The following secondary questions are considered to be part of main question, and support it in their most appropriate sense. Reasoning and justification have been fulfilled in the project scop and literature review. As a result, they are not a separate entity. 1.What is the most efficient social networking platform for businesses in Australia? 2.How does social networking affect businesses in Australia? 3.What is the potential future impact of social networks on businesses in Australia? 6.Research Design and Methodology The general design of this project utilizes qualitative research practices founded upon current market research, for the purpose of uncovering the most appropriate resources. These qualitative assumptions have been assumed because quantitative methods would not only be unsuitable, but also undesired. Qualitative approaches are highly effective in the interpretation of the benefits being offered by social networks to businesses in Australia, whereas quantitative methods would have been applicable in communicating the benefits brought about by the various social media channels. This project hopes to analyze the basic theories behind social networking in order to come up with new recommendations for future qualitative opinions and research. The analysis will later inform future operations regarding social networking for businesses based on potential marketing plans and positions. For this project, the data collected from participants will need to be objective in nature to allow for future testing of the theories. As such, numerical values from previous sources will be analyzed, and the instrument for data collection will be a closed-ended questionnaire
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Business8 as based on the research questions. A five-point Likert scale will be adopted for this research (Dibb, 2012). In the questionnaire, the Likert scale will consist of five different options, including SA for strongly agree, A to signify agree, D for disagree; N to stand for neutral, and SD to represent strongly disagree. The participants will be required to fill in the questionnaire so as to properly outline the specific advantages and disadvantages of social media and social networking. The sampling method to be used will be random for this project; as such it will present an advantage that will remove any biasness from the sampling technique. Similarly, the sampling method will be easy and accurate. The sample size will consist of at least 300 respondents, all of whom will consist of consumers who can reveal realities with regard to the disadvantages and advantages of social media(Horner & Swarbrooke, 2012). The respondents of the project will all come from a specific media company in Australia, because they better understand the reality behind social networking in the world of media. The significance stated in the instrument will indicate the advantages and disadvantages of social networking, hence providing a much clearer picture. A pilot study involving 10 randomly selected individuals will be performed to ensure validity of the instrument. Similarly, the instrument to be used will be adopted from previously used instruments to ensure reliability of the data collection method(Kim & Kim, 2017).The variables of this project entail future innovation of social media, customer outreach effectiveness, efficiency of customer feedback, and the levels of brand awareness(Kotler & Armstrong, 2011). 7.Research Limitations As opposed to the wide range of benefits associated with social networking, as outlined in the literature review section of the project, the limitations and disadvantages of
Business9 marketing using social networks will similarly be listed for the purpose of maintaining a clear opinion of any new marketing strategies. As such, the project will be forced to take a much closer look at the potential negative implications and disadvantages of marketing via social media, from the perspective of businesses, both big and small(Gratton & Gratton, 2012). Most importantly, social media marketing is known to be quite time-consuming, hence it often requires an entire team to work on it daily so as to yield regular outcomes and maintain consistence in replying to customers’ grievances and feedbacks. As such, data from individual respondents may not paint a clear picture of the disadvantages of social networking. The project similarly, does not integrate any legal aspects, thereby does not properly represent the legal risks involved in social networking businesses(Dougerty & Craig, 2008). 8.Time Schedule/Research plan The project has noted that the possible total amount of time necessary to complete the entire project will likely be 6 months. This is because the participants are too many, and will therefore require more time for all the respondents to fill in the questionnaire. The main task, which is often to complete the literature review and the introduction, will not take as much time as the data collection method, and will therefore be completed in at least 2 months. After these sections are completed, the participants will be contacted and allowed a total of two months to completely fill in the questionnaire. The analysis, conclusion and recommendations will be compiled within the following two months. Hence, 6 months in total will be required to completely finish the research project. 9.Conclusion It may be concluded that there are several other different aspects of the proposal that are being considered. The scope of the paper is therefore seen to have been properly exhausted within the entire proposal. The research questions have been outlined in the form
Business10 of the proposed primary and secondary questions that will help uncover the risks and benefits of using social networks in businesses in Australia. Similarly, while there may be quantitative techniques in this paper, the research design is of a qualitative nature. The potential research limitations are however most evident in the data collection method, given that marketing is often undertaken as a team effort in businesses. The schedule, as indicated, may also appear to be limiting in terms of data collection, but properly allows for enough time for compilation of the report.
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Business11 10.Reference List Blackwell, D. et al., 2017. Extraversion, neuroticism, attachment style and fear of missing out as predictors of social media use and addiction.Personality and Individual Differences, 1(116), pp.69-72. Cook, N., 2017.Enterprise 2.0: How social software will change the future of work. Routledge. Dan, Z., 2009.The social media marketing book. US: O'Reilly. Dibb, S., 2012.Marketing concepts and strategies. Andover: Cengage Learning. Dougerty, D. & Craig, C., 2008. Web 2.0 Conference. InWeb 2.0 Conference. San Francisco, 2008. Evans, D., 2008.Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day. Indiana, United States: Wiley Publishing Inc. Gratton, S. & Gratton, D., 2012.Zero to 100 000 Social Media Tips and Tricks for Small Businesses. Indiana, USA: QUE Publishing. Horner, S. & Swarbrooke, J., 2012.Leisure Marketing. Hoboken: Routledge. Kim, B. & Kim, Y., 2017. College students’ social media use and communication network heterogeneity: Implications for social capital and subjective well-being.Computers in Human Behavior, (73), pp.620-28. Klein, J.S., 2010. Update: Legal Risks for Employers Who Use.New York Law Journal. Kotler, P. & Armstrong, G., 2011.Principles of Marketing. 14th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Business12 Li, Q., 2017. Characteristics and social impact of the use of social media by Chinese Dama. Telematics and Informatics, 3(34), pp.797-810. Mingers, J., 2008. Combining IS Research Methods: Towards a Pluralist Methodology. Information Systems Research, 3(12), pp.240-59. Tiago, M.T.P.M.B. & VerĂssimo, J.M., 2014. Digital marketing and social media: Why bother?Business Horizons, 6(57), pp.703-08. Wei, L. & Gao, F., 2017. Social media, social integration and subjective well-being among new urban migrants in China.Telematics and Informatics, 3(34), pp.786-96.
Business13 11.Appendix 11.1.Appendix 1: Common Types of Social Media Channels Image 1: Types of Social Media Channels(Dougerty & Craig, 2008)