Social Media's Impact on Business

This reflection paper examines the impact of social media on businesses, delving into various aspects like its definition, history, and implications for organizational communication. It discusses research methodologies employed in studying social technologies within organizations, including quantitative and qualitative approaches, sampling techniques, and data analysis. The paper also emphasizes ethical considerations crucial for conducting business research involving social media platforms.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH
BUSINESS RESEARCH

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Reflection report
This research was beneficial for me to enhance my knowledge regarding social networking in
business. From the introduction part, I have gained my understanding regarding background of
social networking. In this way, it is analyzed that social networking is key element of business
practices. Since, it creates platform for company to make contact digitally with stakeholders like
subsidiary, suppliers, business colleagues, and customers (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). This
experience was beneficial to make contact with stakeholders through digital channels.
From the literature review, I have developed my understanding of advantages of using social
media in business practices. In this way, it can be evaluated that a social network is a beneficial
technique which is used to create awareness about the product and services with the existing and
potential customers (Leonardi, et. al., 2013). I have also observed that company uses social
networking to get feedback of customer about the product’s quality. Since, it will aid to decline
expenses and efforts as well as enables the company to focus on another aspect of the business.
This learning has not only motivating to use social media in business practices but also enhances
my marketing skills as it was beneficial for me to get success in the short and long-term.
During this chapter, I have also increased my knowledge regarding disadvantages of using social
media in business practices. In this way, I have learned that uses of the social network can create
theft and fraud due to confidentiality of the business at risk. Moreover, it is analyzed that a large
number of cyber crimes is rising due to a social network which creates complexities within an
organization (Bryman and Bell, 2015). This experience was beneficial for me because I will take
care of these disadvantages when implementing the digital marketing strategy at the workplace.
As a result, it can be beneficial for me to become a good manager within the reputed
organization.

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This chapter was also significant for me as it has gained my learning that social networking
practices are time-consuming that may influence the functioning of other business operation. In
this way, it is also assessed that competitors may take benefits of business information which are
presented over the social network (Denscombe, 2014).
As per this research, it is analysed that research question is made by the researcher to meet the
research objectives (Myers, 2013). Along with this, I have learned that hypothesis is built to
assess the relationship between two variables i.e. independent and dependent. This experience
has not only enhances my research skills but also created my depth understanding regarding
research.
From the research design, I have analysed that mixed research design can be implemented in the
data collection method as per the research needs. It is analysed that mixed research design can be
used in both qualitative and quantitative research techniques (Batjargal, et. al., 2013). This
experience was also beneficial for me to use research design in future research for the company.
As a result, it will provide me growth within an organization.
During the study of research methodology, I have developed my understanding of the
interpretivism research philosophy. This research philosophy will be used for this research in
order to create the ways by which researcher implement distinct techniques to target the research
limitation and issues (Luo and Zhong, 2015). As a result, it enhances my research skill and also
builds competency to use different tools during the research.
In addition, I have also learned that data can be pooled to assess the benefits and limitation of
exercising social network in business. I have also gained my understanding regarding approaches
of research in which I have observed that there are two kinds of research approaches named
qualitative and quantitative. This understanding is significant for me to execute the research

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approach in research plans. As a result, these approaches are significant to gain the required
information about research issue.
Through data collection method, I have pointed that there are two distinct methods to gathering
the information regarding research concern named primary and secondary. In this way, it can be
evaluated that there are different sources of using primary and secondary data (Wagner, 2017).
Further, it can be stated that primary data is a raw form of data in which researcher gather
directly collect the data from participants whereas secondary data is second-hand data that are
collected from secondary sources (Ho, 2014). These data are beneficial for me to obtain the
reliable and valid information regarding digital media research within an organization.
During the study of research procedure and techniques, I have analysed that random sampling is
effective to assess the data and eliminate the biases from survey through a questionnaire. It is
also analysed that explanatory research ensures that research will be done in a systematic way
(Zikmund, et. al., 2013). It is also pointed that research time framework is used to meet the
different activities in a sequence and appropriate way (Wagner, 2017). This research experience
was effective for me to implement the each activity within a specified time framework.
This research has developed by knowledge about ethical consideration. In this way, I have
learned that ethical consideration makes sure that each activity will be performed without
harming the interest of respondents. Consequently, I am able to complete the research in an
ethical manner. From this research, I have increased my understanding regarding research
limitation. In this way, it can be evaluated that there is a different limitation of this research
named shortage of available time for conducting the research, inadequate access to data and
shortage of resources to obtain the research (Schaltegger and Wagner, 2017). This was beneficial
for me to create effective research plan hence I can grow my professional life.

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References
Batjargal, B., Hitt, M. A., Tsui, A. S., Arregle, J. L., Webb, J. W., and Miller, T. L. (2013)
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Denscombe, M. (2014) The good research guide: for small-scale social research projects. UK:
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Ho, J. K. K. (2014) ‘A Research Note on Facebook-based questionnaire survey for academic
research in business studies’, European Academic Research, 2(7), pp. 9243-9257.
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
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Wagner, M. (Eds.). (2017) Managing the business case for sustainability: The integration of
social, environmental and economic performance. UK: Routledge.

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Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., and Griffin, M. (2013) Business research methods.
USA: Cengage Learning.