Determining Social Media's Influence on Business Activities: Softwire

This research report examines the influence of social media on business activities, focusing on a case study of Softwire, a digital engineering company. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research aims, objectives, and questions, followed by a literature review exploring the impact and benefits of social media platforms. It delves into research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and discusses ethical considerations. The report then presents primary and secondary research findings, analyzes data using appropriate analytical tools, and communicates the research outcomes. It also includes a reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and suggests alternative methodologies. The report concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations for Softwire to leverage social media for improved business performance.

RESEARCH PROJECT
(Part 2)

Table of Contents
TITLE :-...........................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1) Research proposal which clearly define question and hypothesis with literature review....1
P2) Research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research...............................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P3) Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and techniques. . .6
P4) Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research finding and data................................7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5) Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience.....12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P6) Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and techniques.................................12
P7) Determine alternative research methodologies for the project...........................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

TITLE :-
“To determine the influence of Social media on business activities: A case study on
Softwire”.
INTRODUCTION
Modern world is filled with ample number of opportunities for business organisations
that are dealing in digital sector. When it comes to gaining competitive advantages it has been
examined that organisation takes in use of social media. This factor can put a huge impact on
business activities (Prajogo and Olhager, 2012). Through this, company can easily grab a good
position at marketplace of United Kingdom with taking help of different digital sources along
with technology. Softwire which is a digital engineering company has been taken under this
research report. Organisation was found in 2000 and carrying around 130 talented engineers as
employees that are developing softwares for their clients. Report which is being developed by
investigator is enclosed with many things like research proposal, research methodologies,
favourable outcomes along with literature review part which will help researcher in conducting
research in a successful manner.
TASK 1
P1) Research proposal which clearly define question and hypothesis with literature review
In today's era, whenever an investigator looks forward to find the answers of some
specific questions in order to gain knowledge. It is required for the person to carry an overview
and develop a plan with taking use of different methodologies. People of modern world stays
connected with their relatives and friends with the help of different social media tools. Therefore,
this can be considered as an opportunity for business firms to take it an an advantage and start
promoting products and services along its brand name on most famous social networks.
Background of the project
Most of organisations in today's business environment are taking in use of digital
technology on daily basis. Because of this, it has been located that company's business activities
has become even more faster that previous years (Brewster and Hegewisch, 2017). This
revolutionary act has helped corporations in doing business with less expenses. Researcher saw
that influence of social media and other digital famous websites and applications has helped
organisation's in doing business activities much easy. In previous years, when business person
1

used to keep their data in papers which used to take time. But now things have changed and
organisations have used cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet and many other social
media tools (Moser, 2012).
Research Aims:
If investigator do not carry an aim of investigation then it is may be possible that research
conductor will not reach to desired goals and objectives. Aim of this research is “To determine
the influence of Social media on business activities: A case study on Softwire”.
Objectives of Research:
 To identify the impacts of social media on organisational activities in Softwire
 To evaluate the importance of social media platform in Softwire
 To suggest various tools through which Softwire can improve their business functions
and attain competitive advantages. To ascertain the benefits of social media platforms that are being used by Softwire for
conducting their activities.
Research Questions:
 What is the importance of social media platform in Softwire ?
 What are different tools through which Softwire can improve their business functions and
attain competitive benefits ?
 What is the impacts of social media on organisational activities in Softwire ?
 What are the benefits of social media platforms that are being used by Softwire for
conducting their activities ?
Questions which has been formulated above can be helpful for investigator to enhance
the knowledge and then to draw favourable outcomes. This type of theoretical descriptions
comes under research's main part which is literature review (Pollock, Wick and Jefferson, 2015).
In order to gain knowledge and to gather information it is required for investigator to go in deep
and pull out answers and this can be done through taking in use of secondary data where author's
point of view and different scholars stay helpful.
Significance and impact of social media platform on the organisational actions of Softwire
As per the point of view of Judy Taylor, (2015), social media networking sites has helped
business organisations that are doing business larger scale where offices at different sites can
stay connected to each other. In modern world, social media plays a crucial role when it comes to
2

promote products and services of a business firm. Actions that are related to business of Softwire
became really very easy for this company because use of updated tools and techniques of digital
technology can be considered as something which every single organisation in adopting and
taking in use.
Apart from this, as mentioned by Ford, (2014), most of people in all over world stay
online because of mobile technology with the help of internet which is a part of digitalisation.
This can be considered as an approach which if Softwire uses digital technology in an
appropriate way then it can be considered as an opportunity for this organisation because after
that they can spread awareness of their own brand among citizens of UK or in all over world.
But, majorly it has been analysed that every single thing contains two chapters i.e.
positive and negative and in the same way it can be said that social media contains both pros and
cons. This needs to be understood by business organisation in an appropriate manner so that risks
can be reduced and focus on strategies through which company can hit their targets. With the
help of this, profit margins can get expanded because working of a company will be more
specific and through this failures can be reduced to zero.
Benefits of social media platforms within Softwire
As per mentioned by Hudson and Thal, (2013), it has been analysed that social media can
deliver many benefits to organisations that are doing business at international or domestic level
and these are given beneath:
Increase brand awareness: There are ample number of benefits that can be seen within
an organisation through which it can raise its profit margins. Some of effective tools like
Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and many more are being considered that aid business firms in
spreading awareness of their own brand among customers. Once promotion is being done of
company, it is may be possible that customers will start recognising about the brand by its logo
or by name of Softwire.
Cheap mode of advertisement : It has been examined that, Softwire which develops
websites can easily put samples of images of websites which has been made by them. Putting
advertisements on social media can be taken as something which may aid in attaining specific
goals and objectives of business right on time.
Better customer satisfaction : On the other hand, it has been found that Softwire can
directly deliver information of services or products that are being developed by them. Because of
3

this, they can bring transparency among customers which directly aid in developing long term
relation with them (Kolb, 2014).
Suggestion of social media tools that can be utilised by Softwire
It is being found that there are some of social media tools which stays effective in nature
and these are given beneath: Facebook: As per Shultz and Adams, (2012), Facebook is one of a kind social site which
is famous in all over world and can be utilised by business organisation when it comes to
hit targets right on time and in much effective and efficient manner. It can be said that
Softwire can also develop a whole new webpage containing every single thing right on
time which may aid in gaining larger customer base. YouTube: This organisation can easily gain attention of customers and then they can hit
their targets as well. If videos are going to be developed where they are giving
information to customers of products and services that has been made by them then it can
easily grab good position right on time.
 WhatsApp: It has been found that this social tool is being considered as the best approach
and have adopted and used when it comes to hit targets right on time in much effective
and efficient manner (Jackson, 2017). Softwire's employees can use this tool in
transferring data from one employee to another.
P2) Research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
Research is defined as a scientific and systematic process that is used by a researcher for
conducting research in an appropriate manner (Salas and et. al., 2012). Research methodology is
one of an essential factor that is used for identifying the ways through which research can be
done in an effective manner. Thus, it includes various factors which can make research more
authentic and appropriate.
Types of investigations
There are various kinds of investigation that are present but mainly researcher focus and
use tow kinds of research i.e. qualitative and quantitative approach. As both the methods give
theoretical and numerical data respectively.
Research Philosophy
This deals with source through which data are gathered and it is classified into two
factors which are explained below:
4

Positivism: This approach is mainly based on factual information that are evaluated by
observing things. Thus, it is a scientific approach that must be done through logic (McGrath,
2012).
Interpretivisim: This is based on philosophical position of idealism and data are collected
with the process of interviews and observing things.
Research approaches
There are different kinds of methodology which researcher can use for carrying out the
research in an appropriate manner. It can be further classified into two that are explained below:
Qualitative: In this all informations are gathered that are subjective in nature and other
than this, it depends upon the individual's behaviour.
Quantitative: Under this, data that are collected are in numerical form as it help
researcher in evaluating information in a better manner. Thus, it helps in evaluating valid result
using statistical data.
Research designs
This is an approach that helps investigator in developing set objectives which can further
be achieved while conducting research. This can be classified into three categories which are
exploratory, descriptive and experimental.
Data sampling
It has been found that, probabilistic and non-probabilistic are methods which can be used
by researcher in order to select the best sample in present context. 30 respondents has been
chosen with taking in use of non-probabilistic element.
Ethical consideration
This is one of most important part of investigation which plays a crucial role. It is
mandatory for researcher to see all the barriers so that outcome which was drawn consists with
authenticity (Costen and Salazar, 2011). Collected data would stay confidential if researcher
collects it then only it can be said that investigation which was conducted in a legalised manner.
TASK 2
P3) Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and techniques
Conducting a proper investigation requires high appropriate information and this data can
only going to be collected if researcher will look into different aspects. It is being analysed that
5

there are some of tools that needs to be properly understood that may aid in attaining specific
goals and objectives right on time (Rummler and Brache, 2012). Some of important elements in
present context are given beneath:
Cost: Researcher needs to look into this aspect because if researcher will not carry
appropriate funds then it is may be possible that conduction of investigation may not draw right
outcomes.
Ethical Issue: At the time of conducting a research it has been examined that conduction
of investigation contains various issues and if investigation is not going to be conducted right on
time in a legalised manner then it is may be possible that investigator can draw favourable
outcomes.
Questionnaire
Q1) If usage of social media is helpful in enhancing reputation of business for
Softwire?
Frequency
Yes 24
No 6
Q2) What are the main benefits of using social-media technologies within an
enterprise?
Frequency
Promote Content 12
Reputation Management 8
Customer engagement 6
Targeted advertising 4
Q3) If implementation of social-media is helpful in building workforce of
Softwire
Frequency
Yes 20
No 10
Q4) Who uses website of an enterprise after employers in business environment? Frequency
Suppliers 12
6

Customers 8
Investors 10
Q5) What are the major importance of using social-media for Softwire? Frequency
Increase Brand awareness 7
Increase website traffic 7
Boost sales 8
Generate leads 8
Q6) In what manner, developing website is important in making good relations
with customers
Frequency
Communicate 10
Exceed Expectation 7
Ask for Feedback 7
Show Appreciation 6
Q7) In maintaining websites, do you think company face problems in terms of
cost effectiveness for Softwire
Frequency
Yes 18
No 12
Q8) What are the major factors that affect the development of website? Frequency
Content 8
Channel 6
Target market 7
Technology 9
Q9) The challenges faced by Softwire in developing website Frequency
Innovation 8
Cost 7
7

Time 7
Resources 8
Q10) A proper recommendation to Softwire related with social media.
P4) Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research finding and data
Theme 1: If usage of social media is helpful in enhancing reputation of business
Interpretation: From this graph, it has interpreted that using social media creates various
benefits in increasing brand image of Softwire which is agreed by 24 respondents out of 30.
While rest of them i.e. 6 users didn't think so.
Theme 2: The main benefits of using social-media technologies
Interpretation: Using social-media media within business organisation creates various
benefits in managing reputation, targeting advertising, promoting content and engaging with
customers. In this context, by making a survey on 30 respondents as shown in above graph, 8 are
8
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Column B
Promote Content
Reputation Management
Customer engagement
Targeted advertising
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Column B

believed that it is helpful in reputation management. While 12 agreed on promoting content
about business offers, 6 believe in customer engagement and rest of them i.e. 4 in targeted
advertising.
Theme 3: If implementation of social-media is helpful in building workforce
Interpretation: As per this graph, it has observed that implementation of social-media is
helpful in building workforce and agreed by 20 respondents out of 30 while 10 don't think the
same. Therefore, it is required for Softwire to apply social media and other things related to
digitalisation which may aid them in building up the workforce.
Theme 4: Who uses website of an enterprise after employers in business
Interpretation: When a firm is developing its websites then it will use by all people who
are either direct or indirect linked with business. From this graph, it has interpreted that out of 30
users, 12 are believed that it is helpful for suppliers most. On the other hand, 8 are agreed for
customers and 10 votes for investors.
Theme 5: The major importance of using social-media for Softwire
9
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
Column B
Suppliers Customers Investors
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Column B

Interpretation: Using social-media in context with organisation is helpful in many ways
in expanding business. As per survey on 30 users, it has interpreted that each 7 respondents from
them votes for increasing brand awareness and increase website traffic while 8 for boosting sales
and generating leads.
Theme 6: Developing website is important in making good relations with customers
Interpretation: From this report, it has concluded that developing website helps Softwire
in making good relations with customers. With the help of this, they can make better
communication with customers which is agreed by 10 out of 30 users also. While 7 believes it is
helpful in exceeding expectation and 6 in showing appreciation. Along with this, rest of them
that are 7 for asking feedback.
Theme 7: Company face problems in terms of cost effectiveness for Softwire
10
Increase Brand awareness
Increase website traffic
Boost sales
Generate leads
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.6
7.8
8
8.2
Column B
Communicate
Exceed Expectation
Ask for Feedback
Show Appreciation
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Column B

Interpretation: For developing website, a company has to face various problems especially in
terms of cost effectiveness. From this graph, it has seen that out of 30 respondents, 18 are agreed
on such statements while 12 fully discarded the same.
Theme 8: The major factors that affect the development of website
Interpretation: From this report, it has observed that for development of website Softwire has
faced various problems like content, channel, targeted and technology. By taking survey, it has
interpreted that 8 out of 30 respondents think that major problem a company has faced is content
while 6 for channel. Along with this, 7 users think that marketing target is a serious problem in
the same while 9 for technology.
Theme 9: The challenges faced by Softwire in developing website
11
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
Column B
Content Channel Target market Technology
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Column B

Interpretation: From above graph, it can be said that Softwire needs to look into innovation
along with resources. 16 of respondents were in favour of innovation and resources which needs
some concentration by Softwire while developing the website. On the other hand, 14 respondents
said this organisation needs to concentrate on cost and time.
TASK 3
P5) Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience
After conducting the research, outcomes which has been brought up by investigator were
pretty much helpful in understanding the influences of social media. It has been analysed that,
proper use of social media at work station can help out managers of Softwire to hit their targets.
On the other hand, it has also been examined that respondents that have answered questionnaire
most of them were in favour of taking in proper use of digital technology so that working of
manpower can be reduced (Sirmon and et. al., 2011).
With the help of this, cost of services can be reduced to zero and also it is helpful in
delivering information to customers and then to get feedbacks as well from them.
TASK 4
P6) Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and techniques
Research methodology plays essential part and help investigator to conduct in research
activities to execute research activities effectively (Christopher, 2016). I have found that,
collection of information or data stays available for making appropriate conclusions and
recommendations for report. Primary and secondary are two kind of methods which are used by
investigator to have accurate and complete information in respect to topic and problem. I also
12
Innovation Cost Time Resources
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.6
7.8
8
8.2
Column B

saw that, Questionnaire, survey and many other techniques are used by researcher to take
feedback from customers and other members about functioning of firm, their requirements and
quality of products. I found that, books, journals, websites, newspaper, authors viewpoint are
secondary sources. This help investigator to have appropriate knowledge about different facts
and tactics. Thus, I reached to adequate solutions for problem and research topic.
P7) Determine alternative research methodologies for the project
Researcher when conducted this research, there were many favourable methods as
alternative were present. Surveys, experiments, focus groups were some other investigation
methods were there. Befitting method was found in present context was survey. Through this, it
is may be possible that appropriate results can easily be gained right on time (Rasula, Vuksic and
Stemberger, 2012).
Answers would have been less appropriate and that was the reason which could reduce
the appropriate outcome level. Therefore, questionnaire was being adopted by researcher through
which benefits are being gained right on time.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it has been concluded that social media can be helpful for
business organisations when it comes to gain competitive advantages. Researcher can use many
effective investigation methodologies according to the perspective which may aid in drawing
favourable outcomes. Apart from this, random sampling data approach is very much useful
where customers and employees are being selected as respondents through which information
can get collected in much effective and appropriate manner.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Prajogo, D. and Olhager, J., 2012. Supply chain integration and performance: The effects of
long-term relationships, information technology and sharing, and logistics integration.
International Journal of Production Economics. 135(1). pp.514-522.
Brewster, C. and Hegewisch, A. eds., 2017. Policy and Practice in European Human Resource
Management: The Price Waterhouse Cranfield Survey. Taylor & Francis.
Pollock, R. V., Wick, C. W. and Jefferson, A., 2015. The six disciplines of breakthrough
learning: How to turn training and development into business results. John Wiley &
Sons.
Moser, C., 2012. Gender planning and development: Theory, practice and training. Routledge.
Ford, J.K., 2014. Improving training effectiveness in work organizations. Psychology Press.
Kolb, D.A., 2014. Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development.
FT press.
Shultz, K. S. and Adams, G. A., 2012. Aging and work in the 21st century. Psychology Press.
Salas, E., and et. al., 2012. The science of training and development in organizations: What
matters in practice. Psychological science in the public interest. 13(2). pp.74-101.
McGrath, S., 2012. Vocational education and training for development: A policy in need of a
theory?. International Journal of Educational Development. 32(5). pp.623-631.
Costen, W. M. and Salazar, J., 2011. The impact of training and development on employee job
satisfaction, loyalty, and intent to stay in the lodging industry. Journal of Human
Resources in Hospitality & Tourism. 10(3). pp.2 733- 284
Rummler, G. A. and Brache, A. P., 2012. Improving performance: How to manage the white
space on the organization chart. John Wiley & Sons.
Sirmon, D. G., and et. al., 2011. Resource orchestration to create competitive advantage:
Breadth, depth, and life cycle effects. Journal of Management. 37(5). pp.1390-1412.
Christopher, M., 2016. Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Rasula, J., Vuksic, V. B. and Stemberger, M. I., 2012. The impact of knowledge management on
organisational performance. Economic and Business Review for Central and South-
Eastern Europe. 14(2). p.147.
Online
Jackson, C., 2017. Importance of Having a Website. [Online]. Available
through:<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-having-website-48042.html>.
14