Analyzing Social Media in International Business Communications

This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of social media in international business communications, specifically focusing on strategies for companies entering markets like China and Mexico. It highlights the varying levels of social media access and usage in each country, noting the restrictions on platforms like Twitter and Facebook in China, while emphasizing the high online engagement in both nations. The essay underscores the importance of understanding cultural nuances, language proficiency, and business etiquette when engaging with customers online, cautioning against over-sharing and advocating for clear, professional communication. Furthermore, it recognizes the significant role of global technology in transforming business operations and customer outreach, enabling franchises to expand their customer base and enhance their global image through diverse communication channels. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for ethical practices, such as avoiding misleading information, to maintain customer trust and uphold the company's reputation.

Running head: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Social media has several advantages and disadvantages that are faced by companies
when they try to approach any new country. The social media usage and access is different in
every country and every organisation must have a good understanding of the factors which
create an impact on the social media usage. China and Mexico have different exposures to
social media which makes the approach of the company different. China has no exposure to
social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, hence franchises would not be able to
approach the customers of the country through such social media platforms (Zhou & Wang,
2014). However, the people of China are very active socially which makes an easy way for
the franchises to attract the customers. The people of China are more prone to buying
commodities online, therefore, the franchises would be able to make quite a high sale through
social media in China. However, the language used in the country is Chinese, therefore, the
company has to be proficient in the language other than English. The population of Mexico is
also active in using social media hence there is a wide base of customer which can be
attracted by the people of franchises. English language can be used as a means of
communicating with the customers of the country (Guesalaga, 2016). The people of Mexico
also enjoy online shopping, therefore, the purchasing habit of the people would influence the
sales of the franchise.
Business etiquette is important for every company and franchise. There are certain
rules that should be followed when dealing with customers online. Tripathi and Bains (2013)
every company should share contents about their business, however, there should not be any
kind of over-sharing which would cause problems for the customers. Too much information
could lead to a disturbance on the part of the customers, especially in social media sites. The
information shared by the companies should be clear to the customers so that they do not
have to take extra measures to derive the important information about the franchise.
Moreover, the people who are in charge of the social media customers should behave in a

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professional and appropriate manner with the customers. There should not be any
misbehaviour from the service providers under any circumstance. Furthermore, no false
information should be shared by the company in any way which misleads the customers as
this is unethical in nature.
Audretsch, Lehmann and Wright (2014) global technology has contributed majorly to
the change in social media and online commerce, since people has a wide access to web sites
and other technologies. This has changed the way businesses operate and reach customers.
Technology has made it easier for the franchises to reach the customers and communicate
with them since many channels are available to them to form the bridge that would help them
to increase their sales and their global image. Global technology majorly contributes to
increasing the customer base of the company by opening different ways which would help the
customers and the company to contact each other and gain knowledge of the services and
products that are sold by the company.

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References:
Audretsch, D. B., Lehmann, E. E., & Wright, M. (2014). Technology transfer in a global
economy. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 39(3), 301-312.
Guesalaga, R. (2016). The use of social media in sales: Individual and organizational
antecedents, and the role of customer engagement in social media. Industrial
Marketing Management, 54, 71-79.
Tripathi, A., & Bains, A. (2013). A Study of Indian CSR practices in small and medium
enterprises.
Zhou, L., & Wang, T. (2014). Social media: A new vehicle for city marketing in
China. Cities, 37, 27-32.

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