Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networks in Modern Business

This report, titled "Advantages and Disadvantages of using Social Networks in Business," examines the significant role social networks play in contemporary business environments. It explores how businesses utilize social media for customer interaction, marketing, and overall performance enhancement. The research delves into the benefits, such as improved communication, targeted marketing, and cost reduction, while also addressing potential drawbacks like security risks and the need for constant monitoring. The study employs an explanatory research design with a quantitative methodology, collecting data through primary and secondary sources, including questionnaires and online resources. It outlines the research questions, methodology, limitations, and expected outcomes, offering a comprehensive analysis of social networks' impact on businesses and providing a detailed time schedule for the research process, culminating in a conclusion that underscores the critical role of social networking platforms for modern businesses. The report is a valuable resource for understanding the strategic use of social media in achieving business objectives.

RUNNING HEAD: Business Research
Business Research
Advantages and Disadvantages of using Social networks in Business

Business Research 1
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Project Objective.............................................................................................................................3
Project Scope...................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................5
Research Questions/Hypothesis.......................................................................................................6
Research Design and Methodology.................................................................................................7
Research Limitations.......................................................................................................................9
Expected outcomes........................................................................................................................10
Time Schedule (Research Plan).....................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................14

Business Research 2
Research title: Advantages and Disadvantages of using Social networks in Business
Introduction
This research program has been initiated on the topic “Advantages and Disadvantages of using
Social Networks in Business”. According to Sinclaire & Clinton (2011), social networks are
widely being used by the businesses for the purpose of interacting and communicating with the
people for establishing social relationships. Impact of social networks can be seen on the
performance of the organizations. Social networks are being used by the businesses as a
marketing tool for the promotion of the product or services offered by the business (Siricharoen,
2012). Implementation of the marketing strategies is being implemented with the use of social
networks. Different businesses are using social networks for the purpose of enhancing their
performance and marketing of the business (Baruah, 2012). With the change in the business
environment, there has been a rise in the use of social networks by the businesses. Businesses are
using social networks for the purpose of interacting with the customers or potential customers
(Jefferson & traughber, 2012).
This research program will discuss the role or importance of social networks for
businesses. It will also discuss the various advantages or disadvantages of using social networks
to the business. Social networks have affected the businesses in positive as well as negative
manner. For the fulfillment of objective of the research, data will be assembled with the use of
different approaches or methods.

Business Research 3
Project Objective
Importance of social networks in the business environment is increasing due to various reasons.
There are various aspects attached to social networks which determine the decision of business
towards the use of social networks for the business. The objective behind the execution of this
research program is to identify the various advantages and disadvantages of using social
networks in business. Different organizations are using social networks for enhancing the
communication process of the organization with the customers or potential customers.
Knowledge of the role of social networks will be developed in this research program along with
the benefits and drawbacks of social networks for business.

Business Research 4
Project Scope
The scope defines the aspects which will be covered in the research program. Scope covers the
aspects discussed for the attainment of the objectives of the research. The discussion will be
made regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking platforms for the
business. The analysis will be done of the different organizations using social networking for the
identification of the positive and negative impact of these platforms. This research program will
focus on comparing the impact of shortcoming and virtue of the social networking platforms for
the purpose of analysis of the impact of these networking platforms on the business.

Business Research 5
Literature Review
In the words of Khouli (2013), social networking platforms play a vital role in this changing
business environment. Communication is an important element for every organization on which
performance of the business is dependent. For the purpose of enhancing the flow of information
between the organization and customers or potential customers, social networking platforms are
being used (Hajli, 2015). Social networking platforms are being used for connecting with the
customers or potential customers and promoting the products or services. Social networking
platforms have enhanced the flow of information and helped the organizations in targeting the
market in a better manner (Berzal, 2013).
Social networking platforms have affected the business in positive as well as negative
manner. Different organizations are using social networks for the purpose of implementing the
marketing plans of the organization. Social networks are considered as an integral element of the
marketing policy of the organizations (Han & Windsor, 2011). Use of social networking
platforms has resulted in a reduction in the cost, enhancing the customer base of the
organization, enhancing the marketing publicity, enhancing the growth of the business, better
communication process and getting instant feedback from the customers (Shin, 2010).
On the other hand, there are few drawbacks attached to the use of social networking
platforms for the business. These disadvantages of using social networking platforms include
lack of security to the confidential data of the organization, increase in the number of cyber-
attacks, incurring hidden cost, negative promotion of the organization and requirement of regular
monitoring is there (Paquette, 2013).

Business Research 6
Research Questions/Hypothesis
Data collection process is based on the research questions formulated in the research program.
Data will be assembled for developing knowledge of the different aspects of the research
program. Research questions for this research program are mentioned below:
Primary Question
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks for the business?
Secondary Questions
 What is the role of social networking platforms for the business?
 Why are businesses using social networking platforms?

Business Research 7
Research Design and Methodology
The research program has been conducted with a motive to assemble data regarding the research
topic. Data will be assembled for presenting the different aspects related to the research topic in a
better manner. Data collection process will be initiated for the accumulation of the required data.
For the initiation of the data collection process, different methods or approaches will be adopted
in this research. Social networks are widely being used by the businesses operating in the
dynamic business environment for gaining a competitive advantage over the others. Research
approaches will be adopted for assembling of the data related to the use of social networks,
advantages, and disadvantages of social networks.
Research design or method: for execution of the data and gathering quality data, explanatory
research design has been selected from the available alternatives. According to ACAPS (2012),
explanatory research design will help in generating data regarding the use of social networking
platforms for the business and advantages and disadvantages of using social networking
platforms for the business. Explanatory research is an effective approach for gaining knowledge
of the concept properly (Terrell, 2012). The explanatory research will help in the accumulation
of the data regarding the behavior of the market (Subedi, 2016). The quantitative method has
been chosen so as to gather data with the use of primary and secondary sources. This research
design will ensure that the reliable data is presented regarding the use of social networking
platforms.
Data collection: a collection of data will be done by adopting primary and secondary sources of
data collection. Accumulation of data is to be done for presenting data and developing
knowledge regarding the research topic. Primary data can be understood as the raw data which is

Business Research 8
collected exclusively for the research by the researcher (Nicholson & Bennett, 2008). It is
considered first-hand data as this is directly collected from the respondents by the researcher.
Secondary data can be understood as the second-hand data which is accumulated from the
secondary sources such as internet or newspapers. Secondary data is preferred more as it is more
reliable (Johnston, 2014).
Procedures and techniques: data accumulated with the help of primary and secondary sources
need to be arranged and analyzed properly for drawing the key aspects of the findings. For the
analysis of the data within the short span of time allocated for the research, random sampling
technique will be applied. Random sampling technique is an approach which is used for the
selection of the samples from the total population by providing equal opportunities to every
sample (Banerjee, 2012). Random sampling has been considered for this research program for
the purpose of selecting the samples from the data collected in an unbiased manner.
Research strategies: execution of the research will be done in a pre-decided order so as to
ensure that every activity is covered. For the successful completion of the research, it is vital to
conduct the research in an order.
Research timeframe: there is lack of sufficient time period for the execution of the research.
For the purpose of conducting the research within the allocated time period, an action plan has
been prepared.
Collection of data and targeted market: data collection process will be carried out by using
primary and secondary sources. For the collection of primary data, the questionnaire will be
formed and distributed among the employees of the organizations using social networking
platforms. For the collection of secondary data, internet sources will be accessed. For

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maintaining the quality of the secondary data, internet sources which are reliable and authentic
have been selected.
Ethical consideration: during the execution of the research program on the selected topic, the
focus will be on complying with the ethical values or principles. Ethical values followed during
the execution process of the research program include confidential, fairness and integrity.

Business Research 10
Research Limitations
Limitations can be defined as the challenges or hurdles which influence the research program
and are not in the control of the researcher. Research limitations act as shortcomings or issues
which can affect the quality of the research program. Interpretation of the findings of the
research may get affected due to the limitations. It is essential to adopt strategies which help in
coping with the limitations identified in the research program. These limitations are lack of
permission to access to the data, allocation of the short span of time for the completion of the
research and limited resources such as finance and human resource.

Business Research 11
Expected outcomes
This research program will ensure that the knowledge of the concept of social networking
platforms will be developed. This research will help in contributing to the knowledge regarding
the use of social networking platforms for the businesses. Different advantages and
disadvantages will be discussed so as to help the decision-making process of the business. The
discussion will be done of the manner in which social networking platforms are being used as a
marketing tool for the enhancing the performance of the business.