Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business: In context of Wesfarmers Limited, Australia

This business research covers the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business, in context of Wesfarmers Limited, Australia. The author discusses their learning experience in conducting the research, including research problem, objectives, research questions, data collection methods, and more. The author also shares their future plans to apply their knowledge of business research in their career as a manager and potentially as a startup owner.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH
Business Research
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business:
In context of Wesfarmers Limited, Australia
Student’s name:
Name of the university:
Author’s note:

1BUSINESS RESEARCH
Learning experience means to any programme, interaction and course in which learning
can take place. Learning experience can occur in traditional academic classes or outside off-
campus location (Kolb, 2014). I am doing MBA course at Holmes Institute and this course is
mainly designed for both aspiring people and managers in business management. In this
assignment, I have learnt about business research. I got to learn about research problem,
objectives and research questions. My experience in learning enriched with literature review
when I researched on uses of social networks in business. Furthermore, I have learnt about data
collection methods for conducting a research. This experience provided value of essential
practices and principles of business research. This curriculum may help me in developing ability
and understanding to interpret business research and social networks in business.
I am into Master of Business Administration course and past two assignments are part of
the MBA course. MBA course is a Masters-level academic programme to produce a
comprehensive assessment of subjects. This learning process of business research on a topic will
help me to know about business opportunities. Two assignments of business research taught me
about conducting research for a business. Business research helps to develop an understanding of
the operating environment of an organisation (Hair, 2015). I have chosen Wesfarmers
organisation to research about uses of social networking and I have learnt about how social
networking provides a competitive edge to the company. This learning process of business
research will help me in future to make a priceless managerial skill to research about market and
industry in which the company is in. In management field, this learning process will help me to
get better chances for a higher salary. Most importantly, this course offers the chance to make
my own company from scratch.

2BUSINESS RESEARCH
While conducting the business research on advantages and disadvantages of social
networking in business, I have read many articles, online journals, websites and books. Visiting
many useful online blogs can be helpful to get proper information regarding uses of social
networking in business and business research (Bryman & Bell, 2015). At first, I have made an
action plan of my own how to conduct the research. At first, I have made a reading list on
business research and social networking on business. I have searched article on Google Scholar
and downloaded the soft copy version. I read many articles from credible sources like Emerald,
IEEE, Science Direct and Research Gate. I read my academic book to get knowledge in
collecting the data. Sometimes, I used to consult with my professor to conduct the data collection
method. I have chosen mixed method; both primary and secondary sources have been selected
for collecting data. I have learnt to make a questionnaire for survey and took help from my
classmates about framing the questions.
As a part of the MBA, Business Research subject course helped me to plan, organise and
carry out a business research project. I have chosen my topic social networking in business and
Wesfarmers was my chosen organisation. The business research process is mainly investigated
by definition and identification of suitable business research objectives and question. I have had
conducted a thorough literature review and I have selected appropriate research methodology for
data collection and analysis. I have also learnt and mentioned about business research ethics. The
business research allowed me to explore the subject over a range of discipline and it gave me
wide-ranging skills, applications and knowledge. I have looked at many articles and websites to
get an idea about social networking in business. I have observed financial data of Wesfarmers
and their performance in social networking, sales report and ROI and competitor analysis.
Business research provides understanding all sectors to qualify and quantify decision-making at

3BUSINESS RESEARCH
any level (Johnston, 2014). On completion of the subject, I have gathered the knowledge on
research planning process, the importance of professional ethics and understanding of business
research method.
After completion of the business research assignment 1, I have learnt about project
objectives and project scopes. On the basis of my research topic, I have set three research
objectives. I have provided a comprehensive literature review to underpin the theoretical concept
of social networking in business. I have gained new insights to understand the positive and
negative sides of social network that business enterprises can face. In assignment 2, I have
provided details about research methodology and I set primary and secondary questions for
research. I have developed the strategy of collecting data for the business research. I have learnt
about primary and secondary data as well as research instruments. In order to conduct the
business research, Statistics for Business Decision and Organisations in Global Environment
subject courses have helped an individual (Kaplan & Haelein, 2010). It has been a great
experience to complete the two assignments and in conclusion of the research, I have explored
many business and legal risks to be faced while conducting the research. An action plan with
stipulated time helped me to finish the research on time.
I will apply my knowledge of business research in future as I want to be a manager of a
firm. In short-term future, I want to be a manager of an organisation where I can apply my
knowledge of MBA courses. I have good knowledge in finance and accounting and I can apply
that knowledge in real life scenario. In addition, business research course will help me to
understand market and industry and the process of doing market research. This business research
course has relevance as it enables the future professionals to assist on market research. It will
also help to make a strategy for the organisations. My future profession will be in management;

4BUSINESS RESEARCH
therefore, business research is very important. I have also made my mind to open my own start-
up and there I can apply my knowledge of business research. This learning process is also
helpful to apply in a future profession where I have to understand the market trend in social
networking. I can also apply my knowledge of social network on my own organisation.

5BUSINESS RESEARCH
Reference List
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.
Eriksson, P., & Kovalainen, A. (2015). Qualitative methods in business research: A practical
guide to social research. London: Sage.
Hair, J. F. (2015). Essentials of business research methods. London: ME Sharpe.
Johnston, M. P. (2014). Secondary Data Analysis: A Method of which the Time Has Come.
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, pp. 619 –626.
Kaplan, A. M. & Haenlein, M. (2010). User of the world, unite! The challenges and
opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53, 59–68.
Kavanaugh, A. L., Fox, E. A., Sheetz, S. D., Yang, S., Li, L. T., Shoemaker, D. J. & Xie, L.
(2012). Social media use by government: From the routine to the critical. Government
Information Quarterly, 29, 480-491.
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and
development. FT Press.
Scott, J. (2017). Social network analysis. London: Sage.