Research Proposal: Social Media Impact on PRIMARK's Business

This research proposal examines the impact of social media on PRIMARK, a prominent fast-fashion retailer. The study explores the significance of social media in PRIMARK's business operations, particularly in a competitive global market. The introduction highlights social media's role in marketing and customer engagement, while the background section provides context about PRIMARK's establishment and market position. The research aims to analyze how social media tools affect PRIMARK's business activities, with specific objectives to examine social media concepts, determine its influence on operations, and ascertain the relationship between social media use and business growth. The methodology employs a qualitative research approach, including interpretivism, descriptive research design, and thematic analysis of primary data collected through surveys. The literature review focuses on social media's impact on business activities, emphasizing its role in digital marketing and search engine optimization. The proposal includes a detailed time scale, references, and an appendix with a research proposal form. This study aims to provide insights into how PRIMARK leverages social media for marketing, customer relationships, and overall business success, contributing to the understanding of digital marketing strategies in the retail sector.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
TITLE: ............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................5
Time Scale ......................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8
APPENDIX .....................................................................................................................................9

TITLE:
An understating of the impact of Social media on PRIMARK.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
Social media is considered as the most essential element of digitization. In the highly
globalised and competition driven business world the use of social media is growing and it
become a major source for marketing. social media are attaining popularity and are widely used
by large and small organisational concern are involved (Schniederjans, Cao and Schniederjans,
2013). the potential purpose of this investigation is to widen the influence of social media of the
operations of business. In the competitive business world the major focused area of each
business is to exploring its business operations at global level in respect to attaining higher
growth and success at market place. social media is the major tool which plays effective role in
implementing global relationship among customers and business firm. PRIMARK is the chosen
organisation for this particular report. The potential motive of PRIMARK is to become a largest
fashion retail company by capturing a wide area of market. The company is widely applying
social media because it provides a large platform to conduct business operations at large scale.
Background of the Research
In the world of high competition the potential need of every size of organisational
concern is to achieving high growth and development for the purpose of attaining higher
competitive edge (McCorkindale and DiStaso, 2013). PRIMARK is an Irish fast fashion retailer,
which has subsidiary of associated British food. The headquarter of the firm is in Dublin, the first
store of PRIMARK was established by the Arthur Ryan on the behalf of the Weston family in
the year of 1969 on 47 Mary Street, Dublin. the company owns over 350 stores and the largest
store of PRIMARK is located on Market Street, Manchester, England. As a low cost fashion
retailer company, the major purpose of the firm is to be on top by gabbing the attention of people
through social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc.
Significance of the Research
The considered research is depend on the influence of social media on the business
operations and activities of PRIMARK. Social media is the effectively source which is
significantly applied by organisation as their marketing tool. the potential need of this
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investigation is to enhancing the cognition base of learner in the area of implementation of social
media tools in context of organisational profit and benefits. the present area of study also helps in
providing a clear theoretical frame work about the use of social media tools in the manner of
attaining higher growth and success within market place (Kim and et. al., 2015). the another
major reason for choosing the research is to exploring the idea about the conceptualization about
the digital technologies, especially social media for the increasing performance of an
organisation at global level.
Rational of the Research
This is also an another essential part of research work as in this the issue of investigation
is mentioned in effective manner. The exploration work is depend on the issue of the influnce of
social media tools on the business activities of PRIMARK. The company is deals in international
market and widely focused on fulfilling the preference and requirements of people within the
commercial centre. The emergence of digital tools and technologies like social media, has some
positive as well as negative influence on the operations of the firm. social media tools are
effective in developing good relationship with customers in respect to retaining them for long run
of business operations. on the other side the negative influence is that it is not necessary for the
firm to adopt all advancement in their operations. with the wider use of social media sites, rivals
are also able to determine the companies position and effects them through developing their own
operations.
Research Aim
It can be determined as the most imperative section of the investigation work. as in this
issue of research is mentioned in the form of statement. this section represents the dependent and
independent variable through which the issue of research is identified (Dijkmans, Kerkhof and
Beukeboom, 2015). The part of research assist the investigator in rendering a significant path to
the investigator to investigate appropriate data for resolving research issue. the potential aim of
the research is "To analyse the impact of social media tools on the business activities of an
organisation". A study on PRIMARK.
Research Objectives
This is also an another important piece of exploration report as it assist the research in
segregating the elements of investigation in different statement (Coombs, 2014). This part of
research has an interconnection with the aim of the research which provides a significant
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direction to draw valid and reliable outcome. the appropriate objectives of the research is
evaluated as below:
 To examine the concept of social media and its tools that are used by organisations.
 To determined the influence of social media on the business operations of PRIMARK. To ascertain the relationship between the use of social media tools and the business
growth of PRIMARK.
Research Questions
Effective research questions that specify the aim and objectives in effective manner are
evaluated as below:
 What is the concept of social media and its tools that are used by organisations.
 What are the major influence of social media on the business operations of PRIMARK.
 What is the relationship between the use of social media tools and the business growth of
PRIMARK.
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Literature Review
The impact of social media tools on business activities of an organisation- Social media is
a interactive computer mediated technology which helps in the creation and sharing of
information, ideas, business strategies etc. through virtual communities and network.
In the Morden business environment social media plays a vital role for regulating the
business activities of an organisation. With the help of social media any business organisation
can do wonders and can earn profits . This is because social media has changed the scenario and
the working of the business organisation and its activities . According to Sunny Popali, 2017,
The business owners and managers have understood that social media can make or break any
business whether big or small, so the management have taken a initiative to build a presence on
various social media sites for conducting their business. The impact of social media in context to
PRIMARK is The Growth of social signal . Search engine optimization can be boosted to a large
extent by various search signal. Because if more people talk about the company on social media
than their will be more chance of the web page to rise up in the search rank. This will help the
PRIMARK in reaching to the customers and knowing their view regarding the new innovations
and new product launch. Another impact can be Digital marketing. Social media also has a
requirement for digital marketing. This is because most of the consumers nowadays spend
maximum of their time on various social sites. So this will help PRIMARK to promote their
business digitally and will also create a tough competition for the competitors.
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Research Methodology
Type of investigation : Investigation is basically of two types Qualitative and Quantitative. This
research is based on qualitative investigation technique because the data which is collected for
the research is based on qualitative means.
Research Philosophy- This is the most essential part of any research. It is the set of phenomena
which helps the investigator aims at understanding perspective of respondents in order to drive
the valid result . These are of two types positivism and interpretivism. In this research
interpretivism is used to analyse the motivational practices of HRM in Mc Donald's .
Research Design – Research design is basically of three types – descriptive, experimental, and
conclusive. In this research descriptive method of research design is used because detail analysis
of the investigation is required. It is also appropriate for qualitative resign design.
Data Collection- it is considered as the base of any research because without this work cannot
be accomplished. . There are two types of data collection primary and secondary. In this primary
method is used for the survey of the research.
Data Analysis- In this the data is converted into meaningful research. In this research,
qualitative method is used in which thematic analysis will be done.
Research approach- Research approach is of two types Deductive and Inductive approach. In
this research inductive approach is used because it is based on theoretical aspects and it is also
considered suitable for the qualitative research.
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Time Scale
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Online
Amadeo, K., 2017. What is the Impact of Social Media on Your Marketing. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.ronsela.com/impact-of-social-media-marketing/>.
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APPENDIX
Research Proposal Form
Name:
Number:
Centre Name:
Tutor:
Date:
Unit:
Proposed title: An understating of the impact of Social media on PRIMARK.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of research project ( in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
An understating of the impact of Social media on PRIMARK.
Research project objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you
want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
 To examine the concept of social media and its tools that are used by organisations.
 To determined the influence of social media on the business operations of PRIMARK.
 To ascertain the relationship between the use of social media tools and the business growth
of PRIMARK.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
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Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
 The major purpose behind selecting the exploration work is to exploring the knowledge in
regards to the impact of social media and its tools on the business activities of PRIMARK.
 An another reason is that a compelling point of research helps the student in enhancing their
knowledge base through analysing all the aspect of the research in effective manner,
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
In this research the data and information has been collected by discretionary wellspring of data
aggregation, for different sources like, books, journals and online sites as it helps in giving true blue
information about the selected area of study.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g.
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of
final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
There are various activities are going to involve in this project which
need to identify appropriately so that better results lead to get drawn.
Various activities which will going to include for the project are:
 Determine the topic
 Creation of aim and objectives with questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaires preparation
 Data Collection
 Data analysis
 Conclusion and recommendation
How long this will take:
3 Months
Milestone one:
Target date (set by tutor):
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Milestone two:
Target date (set by tutor):
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
In this present research work Qualitative methods is used by researcher as to accumulate the
relevant information as it gives all the required data and information in regards to the selected
area of study.
What your areas of research will cover:
This research will cover the influence of social media in developing the operations and activities
of an organisation at global level.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: (name):
(date):
Comments and agreement from project proposal checker (if
applicable)
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed: (name): (date):
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Research Ethics Approval Form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of
data collected from human participants are required to gain ethical approval before
commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your
form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor.
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research
fully with your Unit Tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your
research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic Details
Project title:
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
School / College:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2: Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project (Please tick):
• Interviews:
• Questionnaires:
• Observations:
• Use of Personal Records:
• Data Analysis:
• Action Research:
• Focus Groups:
• Other (please specify):
Section 3: Participants
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Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16:
Young People aged 17–18:
Adults: Above the age group of 18
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
In this present exploration work respondents are selected at a random basis who are using the social
media tools and aware about its benefits.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
In this data has been gathered through fulfilling a questionnaires in which questions are being asked
that covers aim and objectives of the research work.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made
clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of omitting questions they
do not wish to answer? Please tick:
Yes:
No:
If No please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed
consent to be observed. Please tick:
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Yes:
No:
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e. give them a brief explanation of the
study)? Please tick:
Yes:
No:
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study? (This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general). Please tick:
Yes:
No:
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data
Protection Act (1998).
Yes:
No:
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in the computers and research requires to create some notes.
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Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used?
Yes:
No:
If yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
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Yes:
No:
If yes, please provide further details:
The details about the specified area of study helps another researcher to gain proper
knowledge about the similar area of study.
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical concerns? If so,
please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise as a result of
your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include,
but are not limited to the following:
• Informed consent.
• Potentially vulnerable participants.
• Sensitive topics.
• Risks to participants and/or researchers.
• Confidentiality/anonymity.
• Disclosures/limits to confidentiality.
Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
• Reporting.
• Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes: No:
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I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor: Yes: No:
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct and that this is a full description of the ethics issues that may
arise in the course of my research.
Name:
Date:
Please submit your completed form to Moodle
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