Social Media Impact on Businesses

This assignment focuses on the impact of social media on businesses. It requires an analysis of research trends, ethical considerations like privacy and security, and potential opportunities for businesses to leverage social media effectively. The assignment encourages critical thinking about the challenges and benefits presented by social media in a business context.

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BUSINESS RESEARCH
The Name of the Student
The Name of the Course
The Name of the Professor
The Name of the School
The City and State where it is located
Date

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................4
2.0 Project Objective..............................................................................................................4
3.0 Project Scope....................................................................................................................5
4.0 Literature Review.............................................................................................................5
4.1 Some gaps and problems in businesses which result from the use social media.........5
4.2 Some measures which should be taken to address the gaps and problems associated
with the use of social media to promote businesses....................................................................6
5.0 Research Questions/Hypothesis.......................................................................................8
5.1 Primary Question.........................................................................................................8
5.2 Secondary Questions....................................................................................................8
6.0 Research Design and Methodology.................................................................................8
6.1 Qualitative research......................................................................................................8
6.2 Quantitative research..................................................................................................10
7.0 Research Limitations......................................................................................................11

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8.0 Time Schedule (Research Plan).....................................................................................12
9.0 Conclusion......................................................................................................................14
10.0 References List.............................................................................................................15
11.0 Appendices...................................................................................................................17
Appendix 1: A sample questionnaire form used in research............................................17
Appendix 2: The number of social media users (in billions) worldwide from 2010 to
2012...........................................................................................................................................20

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1.0 Introduction
Social media refers to the many web-based communication tools which are used by people
to communicate and share other information through different ways. We have many social
networks which are used today for sharing information. Such social networks include Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, WhatsApp, and many others. According to
research done in 2017, we have about 2.46 billion people who use different social media
platforms in the world today. Facebook is the most popular social network and has the highest
number of users of about 1.86 billion users in the world. With the ever-growing technology, it is
estimated that the number of people using different social media platforms will shoot to 3.02
billion users by 2021. According to Wang, Niiya, and Mark (2015, pp.571-582), the largest
percentage of the people who use social media are young people especially the college students.
Social media plays a great role in the business world. For the businesses to do well, they
require a big number of customers. These customers can be found in the social media, and
therefore, it’s good for the businesses to engage in social media platforms to market their
products, ideas, or services to the billions of users who participate in social media. A business
which uses social media well to market its products or services gets many customers who help
the business to thrive well.

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2.0 Project Objective
The main objective of the business research proposal is to address the gaps and problems
which result from the use of social media in businesses.
3.0 Project Scope
In this business research proposal, we will review various gaps and problems which were
discussed in Assessment 1 and develop some solutions which can be used to address these gaps
and problems. We will base our research from various scholarly academic resources to help us to
come up with some amicable solutions to solve these gaps and problems.
4.0 Literature Review
The social media is well known for promoting the businesses by attracting many customers
to the business. However, we have many gaps and problems which result from the use of social
media networks to promote business. In this section, we are going to highlight some gaps and
some problems which are associated with the use of social media in businesses and come up with
some measures which can be taken to solve these gaps/problems.
4.1 Some gaps and problems in businesses which result from the use social media
The use of social media in business is associated with some gaps and problems which have
led to huge losses in businesses. These gaps/problems have also limited the growth of these
businesses. Some of the major gaps and problems include the following:

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Social media networks have increased the problems of copyright issues in businesses.
Many businesses have copied some goods or services offered by other businesses and have
ended up draining customers from the original businesses to their businesses. This has reduced
the profits made by the original businesses which came with the new goods or services.
The social media networks have interfered with the security and the privacy of many
businesses. Many businesses share information about their location or other critical information
through the social media. This information has been used by thieves or hackers to interfere with
the operations of the businesses which has led to huge losses in the businesses.
The social media has helped to spread rumors or other negative feedback from some
people who may be jealous or have malicious motives about the business and this have ended up
chasing away some potential customers.
Social media networks have promoted the spreading inappropriate behaviors such bullying
or harassment in the businesses. The managers or other senior officials in the businesses may
harass the junior workers through the social media platforms. The social media has also
promoted the wicked behavior of conmen who take the customers’ money illegally.
4.2 Some measures which should be taken to address the gaps and problems
associated with the use of social media to promote businesses.
To address the copyright issues on the social media, copyright laws have been formulated
to deal with those who copy other peoples’ work. Some social media platforms such as Pinterest

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have taken the issue of copyright very seriously and gives the rights of the amendment of some
contents to only the people/organizations which posted the contents (Hykel, 2013).
To address the issue of privacy and security, the businesses should be very keen on the
people who can access their information over the social media. The businesses should make sure
they set login alerts which should alert them whenever a new visitor logins in their social media
platforms. They should also block any spam users on their sites (Kumar, Saravanakumar and
Deepa, 2015). It is also good to control the information which should be accessed through the
social media. The businesses should be very keen to monitor the information they post on their
social media networks to make sure the information can’t be used by the criminals to interfere
with the privacy or the security of the businesses.
To address the problem of rumors and negative feedbacks, the businesses should make sure
they deliver good products and services which satisfy their customers. The customers will be
happy with them and won’t spread rumors the negative feedbacks. However, we have some
malicious customers who spread rumors just to tarnish the name of the businesses, in this case,
the businesses should take legal actions against these malicious customers.
To deal with the problem of the bad behavior of the people who harass others, or those
conmen who squander the customers’ money illegally, the business should monitor their social
media fully and take the necessary actions against those who are caught practicing inappropriate
behaviors over their social media networks.
To address the problem of time wastage over the social media, the business should
monitor the employees who are responsible for monitoring their social media platforms. The

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businesses should make sure these employees don’t overspend their time on the social media
platforms doing some unnecessary activities on the social media. The businesses should give the
social media work to mature and responsible people who won’t waste a lot of time in the social
media sharing or accessing unnecessary information.
5.0 Research Questions/Hypothesis
5.1 Primary Question
What are the major problems associated with the social media which affect businesses?
5.2 Secondary Questions
What are the minor problems associated with the social media which affect businesses?
What are some unfilled gaps which should be filled by the use of social media in
businesses?

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6.0 Research Design and Methodology
6.1 Qualitative research
In qualitative research, we are going to generate our results in words rather than numerical
data (numbers) used in quantitative research (Catherine Marshall, Gretchen B. Rossman, 2016).
We will use the following major steps in our qualitative research:
(i) Decide on our questions of research. Our questions of research as stated above are:
To determine the major problems in businesses which are associated with the social
media.
To determine the minor problems in businesses which are associated with the social
media.
To check some unfilled gaps in business which should be filled by the use of social
media in businesses.
(ii) Do a literature review on our research question. This is covered in the literature
review section.
(iii) Consider the ideal sampling and sample size. In this research, we are going to do
our research in a hundred businesses (both small and large businesses) selected
randomly to identify the major and the minor problems affecting the businesses as a
result of using social media. We will also research some available gaps which
should be filled by use of social media.
(iv) The approaches to reliability and validity of data. To make sure we get reliable and
valid data, we will use some friendly data collection methods, and we’ll avoid

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interfering with the businesses private data. We will also encourage the businesses
to give correct and valid data which will enhance our analysis.
(v) The data collection methods and variable specifications. We are going to use some
friendly data collection methods to ensure we get good responses from the
businesses. We will also specify all the required variables clearly for us to get the
required responses. We will use some methods like observations, surveys,
interviews, and questionnaires (Creswell, 2008). (A sample questionnaire form
used is shown in the appendix section)
(vi) Data analysis. We will analyze the collected data accordingly to get the required
results and solutions which will help to answer our research questions fully.
6.2 Quantitative research
In quantitative research, the data is collected in numerical forms (numbers) and the
analysis of the data involves some mathematical computations to help us to get the solutions to
the research questions in numerical forms. The major steps used in quantitative research are:
(i) State the research questions problems. These are the same questions used in the
qualitative research approach.
(ii) Define the objectives of the study. The main objective of the research is to address
the gaps and problems which result from the use of social media to promote
businesses. We also aim to identify some unfilled gaps which need to be filled by
the use of social media in business.

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(iii) Carry out the literature review. The literature review of this research is discussed in
detail in the literature review section.
(iv) Formulation of hypothesis and variables. This is the step where we formulate the
proposed solutions of our research questions which need to be proved right or
wrong by our quantitative research.
(v) The research instrument. This is the step where we choose various methods which
will be used to collect the required data from the businesses. The research
instrument could be a questionnaire, an interview, the eyes for observation or any
other research tool (M. Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2012).
(vi) Sampling and sample size. In this step, we select the best sample size which will be
used in our research. The businesses selected are usually selected randomly. We
select a sample size of a hundred businesses.
(vii) Collection of the data. After selecting the best methods and the best sample size,
the personnel responsible for data collection visit the different businesses to collect
the required data.
(viii) Reliability and validity of data. The data collection methods used must ensure
collection of reliable and valid data.
(ix) Data analysis. After collection of data, the necessary mathematical computations
are done either manually or by use of special computer software to obtain the
desired results.
7.0 Research Limitations
Our research faces many limitations. These limitations include the following:

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Some businesses may not be willing to give some of their information especially if the
information touches some of their private issues.
The cost of conducting the research is also a limitation. We may require a lot of money to
collect the data through some methods such as interviews and questionnaires.
The data obtained may be invalid, unreliable or inadequate to do our analysis. This will
limit our research.
Another limitation which may affect our research is the geographical conditions. Some
businesses may be located in geographically inaccessible areas which hinder us from conducting
our research in these businesses.
Some data obtained may be inaccurate, and this will limit the accuracy of our data analysis
which may lead to incorrect results and conclusions.
8.0 Time Schedule (Research Plan)
Our research is estimated to take one month. In this one month, all the necessary data will
be collected from all the hundred businesses (sample size), the data will then be analyzed using
the necessary computer software like Excel, SPSS or other software, and the necessary results
and conclusions will be drawn.

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The schedule we are going to use is shown below:
S/N Time Proposed activity Remarks (Tick
accordingly)
If Not done, give
the limitation
encountered
Done Not done
1 Week 1
(1/10/2017 –
7/10/2017)
Collection of the
required data in the
first 50 businesses
2 Week 2
(8/10/2017 –
14/10/2017)
Collection of the
required data in the
remaining 50
businesses
3 Week 3
(15/10/2017 –
21/10/2017)
Analysis and
manipulation of the
collected data as
required to obtain
the required results.
Drawing the
necessary
conclusions from the
data analysis.
4 Week 4
(22/10/2017 –
28/10/2017)
Documenting the
obtained results and
conclusions for
future references.

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9.0 Conclusion
From the research, we realize that businesses are affected by many problems which result
from the use of social media networks to promote the businesses. The businesses should be very
keen in using social media to promote their products or services for them to realize some profits,
they should make sure they address all the problems which may result from the use of social
media platforms. The businesses should also try to identify the unfilled gaps and other available
opportunities and utilize the social media well to generate more profits from these gaps and
opportunities.
10.0 References List

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Bauer, I., 2015. When Copyright and Social Media Meet: Zooming in on Current Issues
and Cases. FAU Undergraduate Law Journal, 2(4).
Billions, N., 2017. Number of social media users worldwide 2010-2021 | Statista. [Online]
Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-
users/
Cassell, B. L. a. C., 2011. Research Methods and Research Practice: History, Themes and
Topics. International Journal of Management Reviews , 15(2), pp. 123-131.
Catherine Marshall, G. B. R., 2016. Designing Qualitative Research. 6th ed. Massachusetts
Amherst: Sage Publications, Inc.
Creswell, J. W., 2008. Educational Research. Fourth ed. Boston: Pearson Education.
Hykel, R., 2013. Copyright Issues for Social Media. [Online]
Available at: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/copyright-issues-for-social-media
Johnson, G., 2014. Research Methods for Public Administrators. 3rd ed. New York: M.E.
Sharpe, Inc..
Kara, H., 2012. Research and Evaluation for Busy Practitioners: A Time-Saving Guide,
Bristol: The Policy Press.
M. Saunders, L. a. T., 2012. Research Methods for Business Students. 6th ed. Harlow:
Pearson Education.

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Mark Easterby-Smith, R. S. T. a. P. J., 2008. Management Research. 3rd ed. London: Sage
Publications Inc.
Michael, K. A. a. H., 2010. Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of
social media. Business Horizons, 53(1), pp. 58-62.
Nadim Akhtar Khan, S. J. a. I. A., 2014. Research trends in select Science faculties of
University of Jammu, Lincoln: Libraries at University of Nebraska.
Rangarjan, P. S. a., 2013. A Playbook for Research Methods, s.l.: New Forums Press..
Senthil Kumar, S. K. a. D., 2015. On Privacy and Security in Social Media – A
Comprehensive Study, Nagpur: Elsevier B.V.
Sergio Moro, P. R. B. V., 2016. Predicting social media performance metrics and
evaluation of the impact on brand building: A data mining approach. Journal of Business
Research, September, 69(9), pp. 3341-3351.
Yiran Wang, M. N. a. G. M., 2015. Coming of Age (Digitally): An Ecological View of
Social Media Use among College Students, Vancouver: Association for Computing Machinery
(ACM).

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11.0 Appendices
Appendix 1: A sample questionnaire form used in research
(Please fill all the parts correctly)
Date …………………
(i) What is your name(s) (optional)
……………………………………………………………………….
(ii) What is the name of your business or the business you work for?
………………………………………………………………………….
(iii) What is your position/rank in your business or in the business you work for?
……………………………………………………………………………
(iv) Which social media networks does the business you work for use? (Please tick
accordingly)
Facebook
Twitter

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LinkedIn
Snapchat
Instagram
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Others (please specify)
……………………………………………………………………………
(v) Of the following problems associated with the use of social media in businesses,
which are the most serious problems which have affected your business? (please
select one or two-tick the boxes provided)
The copyright issues
The security and privacy issues of your business
Rumors and negative feedbacks about your business
Some wicked behaviors such as harassment or bullying or issues of conmen
(vi) Of the problems given above, which is the minor problem(s) which affect your
business? (please state one or two problems)
……………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………
(vii) Do you think we have some gaps or some opportunities which have not yet been
utilized by the use of social media in your business? Yes

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No
If yes, please state these gaps or opportunities
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
(viii) What do you think should be done to fill these gaps or utilize these opportunities?
(Please give a brief explanation)
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..

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Appendix 2: The number of social media users (in billions) worldwide from 2010 to
2012