Investigating Reduction of Over Sharing on Social Media in Retail

This report investigates the concept of over sharing on social media within the retail industry and proposes effective strategies to mitigate associated risks. It begins by defining social media and its importance for businesses, particularly in sharing information with customers. The report then identifies key issues and risks related to over sharing, such as loss of intellectual property, sensitive data leaks, and compliance violations. Furthermore, it explores measures that retail firms can adopt to reduce over sharing, emphasizing the need for careful data handling and adherence to regulations. The study underscores the importance of balancing the benefits of social media engagement with the potential threats to data security and compliance within the retail sector. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform offering a range of study tools and resources for students.

Research Practice
Assessment 2 Proposal

Table of Contents
Topic: To investigate how to reduce over sharing on social media.................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the project......................................................................................................1
Aim and objectives.................................................................................................................1
Rationale and justification for selection of topic....................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Literature review..............................................................................................................................2
To get better understanding about the concept of social media along with reviewing about the
sharing on social media..........................................................................................................3
To determine about the main issues and risk associated with the sharing of content on social
media within the retail industry..............................................................................................4
To investigate about some effective ways and measures that can be adopted by firms within
retail sector to reduce the over sharing on social media.........................................................5
Justified methodology......................................................................................................................6
Ethical consideration......................................................................................................................10
Time plan.......................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

Topic: To investigate how to reduce over sharing on social media
INTRODUCTION
Background of the project
The concept of the social media is tending to be associated and related with the making use
of the computer based technology that ensures and facilitates the effective sharing of the vital
ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities
(Zafar, and et. al., 2021). Sharing on social media comprises of the posting of the content in form
of images and videos on the Facebook, Instagram, twitter and other sites which leads to higher
social interaction and access to news and information, and decision making. Thus, social media
offers an effective means and platform through which company can effectively interact and
communicate but many risk and challenges are also being associated with the over sharing on
social media. These risks of sharing on social media comprise of the fact that it leads to a fast
way of communicating data and information that can creates the issues of violation of the
applicable laws and regulations set out retail industry along with also including the issues related
with the infringement of trademarks and copyrights, data security issues, employment issues,
violations of privacy rights and mismanagement of electronic communications (Harrigan and et.
al., 2021). Further, while undertaking current study it has been also ensured that it tends to
comprises of the collection and meeting of the all set principles and values which need to be
followed by a researcher while doing a research and investigation especially for the one that
involves human participation and affairs. It has been seen and analysed that the retail industry is
associated with selling and distributing the products and services which are mainly produced and
manufactured by some other companies. Thus, in this situation it become more important and
vital for retailer sector to remain more focused and attentive while sharing information on social
media. Along with this, retail industry also comprises of distribution of food items, health and
beauty products, etc. that have direct impact on the health of customers there they need to be
more conscious about sharing and promoting any goods and services through making use of
social media. Therefore, current study is undertaken on retail industry to evaluate and analysis
about the concept of sharing on social media along with analysing the ways to reduce over
sharing on social media (Zafar, and et. al., 2021).
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Aim and objectives
Research aim
The aim of the current study is, “To evaluate about the concept of sharing on social
media along with analysing the ways to reduce over sharing on social media”. A research project
on Retail industry.
Research Objective
 To analysis about the concept of the sharing on social media.
 To determine about the main issues and risk associated with the sharing of content on
social media within the retail industry.
 To investigate about some effective ways and measures that can be adopted by firms
within retail sector to reduce the over sharing on social media.
Rationale and justification for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic based on the investigate how to reduce over sharing
on social media is seemed to be rationale and justifiable as in today’s world where all companies
are becoming more active on online platforms it is important and vital to have a look on the
challenges and risk associated with this along with leading a check on the over sharing. It has
been seen that sharing of data on social media td to comprises of risk of loss of IP along with the
issue of data leakage and violation of other legislation. Thus, leading out of current study on the
topic of the investigate how to reduce over sharing on social media is rationale to mitigate these
possible risk and threats faced especially within the retail sector. Beside this, undertaking of
current investigation is also vital and rationale from the personal view point of researcher as it
ensures improvement in skills, knowledge and future competencies.
Research questions
 What is meant by the concept of social media along with reviewing about the sharing on
social media.
 Which can be the main issues and risk associated with the sharing of content on social
media.
 What are some effective ways and measures that can be adopted by firms within retail
sector to reduce the over sharing on social media?
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Literature review
It forms out a vital and crucial part of every project that tend to provide information and
analysis of the pre-exiting data and set out a base and framework for further study through
leading better underdoing of a selected topic (Di Domenico and et. al., 2021). The current
literature review is based on the topic of the to investigate how to reduce over sharing on social
media and its objective for which a range of online article and journals are reviewed a discussion
of which has been provided as below:
To analysis about the concept of the sharing on social media
As per the views of author Maya Dollarhide (2021), it has been analysed that social media
play crucial and critical role in organisation as this is significant for sharing information to
customers. social media can be describe as the computer based technology which is significant
for facilitating the sharing of ideas, information, thoughts through the virtual network as well as
communities. The importance of social media sharing in business can't be adequately
underscored (Adnan and et.al, 2022). The advantages are various and the outcomes show a
colossal potential for social media showcasing to expand sales. Social media is the most savvy
device for sharing substance and expanding the visibility of your business. Whatever the
platform, social media presents a chance for businesses to shape relationships with their
customers, construct trust, share content and organization with different businesses. The concept
of social media has been developed in recent time with the objective of providing right set of
information to individuals so that company is able to attract more and more customers towards
business. social media is an internet based networking site that is accurate for giving user a quick
electronic way of communication of the desired content which includes personal information,
image, documents, views and so on. It has been analysed that different organisations dealing in
retail sector such as Marks and Spencer, ASDA, Tesco and many other are considering social
media in order to share information about the products and services to potential customers.
Further, it has been analsysed that the Social sharing describes when social media users
broadcast web content on a social network to their connections, groups, or specific individuals.
One of the primary aims of corporate social media marketing strategies is to generate brand
awareness by leveraging their existing audience to share content (Faelens and et. al., 2021). It
has been determined that social media could be used by individual through computer, tablets,
phones via application or web based software. Social media is a phenomenal method for
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acquainting enormous crowds of individuals with your brand. Expanded visibility through social
media is priceless, making your brand unmistakable and more open for new customers (Wu and
Srite, 2021). It likewise permits you to be transparent with expected customers, building
relationship and your reputation as a reliable business. It has been analysed that organisation
needs to consider effective social media practices in order to sharing needed and required set of
information to potential customers. This will lead to have positive impact over organisation by
attracting as well as influencing large number of customers towards customers. It is important for
company to make certain to post routinely on social media platforms to acquire a committed and
intuitive after. It has been analysed that each post, article or picture post will lead permits the
chance for somebody to respond and this could prompt a site transformation. It has been
analysed that through posting on social media is a powerful way to effort to expected customers
and businesses, building joins and expanding your brand reach to desired customer base. through
this it has been determined that sharing of information and idea with the support of social media
platforms (Hudders, De Jans and De Veirman, 2021). Thus, on the basis of above discussion, a
critical evaluation can be made that the sharing of the connect on social media supports a
powerful tool and effective way to interact and communicate with the target audience that tend to
have a positive impact on the success level of retail industry. But it has been also come in focus
that many issues and challenges in form of the threat of leakage of data and other privacy threat
are also being associated and related with the sharing on social media (Harrigan and et. al.,
2021).
To determine about the main issues and risk associated with the sharing of content on social
media within the retail industry
As per the view point of the Jim Deloach, 2018, it has been seen and analysed that the
social media provides an effective platform where organisation can share content in form of
images, videos and multimedia. But it has been also reflecting and reviewed that many risk and
issues are also there which are related with the sharing of content on social media. It has been
seen and reviewed that social media has become a powerful tool for the business organisation
that is connecting them with customers but still there are many risk companies face when using
the social media related with the higher engagement level with the public. A discussion about the
main issues and risk associated with the sharing of content on social media within the retail
industry are listed and provided as below:
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 Loss of IP and Sensitive Data- It is the most common threat faced by the retail industry
while making excessive use of the sharing of content on social media as they are dealing
in many products with a wide portfolio comprising of products of other companies also.
Thus, at that time sharing on social media might cause issues and challenges related with
the loss of IP (intellectual property rights) and some other sensitive data. Further, it has
been also seen and reviewed that the Board members and executives are also tend to be
feared about the security-related risks arising from deploying social media in the business
as it might create and leads to inappropriate release, leakage or theft of information
strategic (Winter, Maslowska and Vos, 2021). Further, higher use of social media by a
retail company like Tesco might also leads to the exposure of company networks as well
as the systems to the public and makes it more easy and vulnerable for viruses and
malware created and lead out by some to human error, phishing scams, sophisticated
attackers and identity thieves which can leads to many issues and challenges associated
with leak of sensitive data (Kaye, 2022).
 Compliance violation - It has been also seen and reviewed that making use of the social
media might also leads to risk of communicating of the confidential data and information
that cause and leads to violation of some applicable laws and regulations. In context of
retail sector, an organisation are bind to follow many rules reacted with the
confidentiality of its partners and other organisation product information thus more
sharing on social media might leads to infringement of trademarks and copyrights, data
security issues, employment issues, violations of privacy rights and mismanagement of
electronic communications (Spieler and et. al., 2021).
 Reputation loss- It has been also observed that the chances of the negative feedback from
customers in social media platforms is also higher that can lead to loss of reputation for
the companies within retail sector. It has also seen that the higher use of the social media
by the firms such as Asda and other retail sector companies might also lead to self-
inflicted reputation damage along with the results and behaviour in form of some
inappropriate employee behaviour along with setting unrealistic product or customer
service expectations and rogue tweets of inappropriate messages are also leading the
issue and challenges related with the loss of company reputation (Zafar, and et. al., 2021).
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Thus, on the basis of above literature review it has been analysed that many risk and threats
are posed by the retail Industry while sharing content on social media that comprises of the Loss
of IP and Sensitive Data in form of fact that higher use of social media by a retail company like
Tesco might also leads to the exposure of company networks (Kaye, 2022). Thus, sharing
content on social media leads to exposure to network and systems to the public and makes it
more easy and vulnerable for viruses and malware created and lead out by some to human error,
phishing scams, sophisticated. Along with this, it has been also summarised that compliance
violation and Reputation loss are also faced as the key issues and challenges of sharing over
content on social media as it leads to inflicted reputation damage along with the results and
behaviour in form of some inappropriate employee behaviour along with setting unrealistic
product or customer service expectations and rogue tweets. Beside this, social media also
provide platform where both customers and employees can criticise and have fame information
that can ruin and inflicted the reputation of a company (Adnan and et.al, 2022).
To investigate about some effective ways and measures that can be adopted by firms within retail
sector to reduce the over sharing on social media.
According to the view point of Shearer, E. and Mitchell, A., 2021, it has been seen and
reviewed that the social media tend to enhanced the ability to communicate brand messaging
instantly to millions of users and to receive instantaneous feedback is extremely attractive and
powerful for companies operating within the retail sector. But at the same time sharing on social
media leading to both significant business and legal risks for companies thus, the key for long-
term successful use of social media is having a well-conceived business strategy combined with
strong internal governance policies and structures that supports a check and control on over
sharing on social media (Faelens and et. al., 2021). Further, the initial steps that can be adopted
by firms within retail sector to reduce the over sharing on social media comprises of the
formulating a more effective business strategy and internal governance for the company that
limited and reduce the sharing on social media.
Along with this, With respect to the information provided the Shahbaznezhad, H., Dolan,
R. and Rashidirad, M., 2021, it has been see that the companies and organisation working within
the retail sector needs to first determine that how the sharing on the social media is being used
both internally and externally within a firm so that effective control measures can be taken.
Further, it is also vital and important for companies like Tesco that it must create clear policies
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and strategy for its employees regrading the fact that they must not segregate and combine the
personal and professional use of the social media Harrigan and et. al., 2021). Proper guidelines
must be set out all employees must understand that if something is appropriate as a public post
and also as opposed to a private message that is haring any confidential or crucial information
must not be posted on the social media. Further, setting and leading out an effective strategy and
governance based on the nature and provisions of the industry is also vital as within Retail
industry it is essential that the sharing on social media must be based on regulation set by the
Food and Drug Administration along with meeting with the Federal Trade Commission to
mitigate the issue of legal risk and violation (Zhao and et. al., 2021). Beside this, setting out a
clear policy and definition for sharing on social media based on effective control and check by
creating some committee which focuses of reviewing of the Facebook and Twitter along with
other media vehicles, including blogs, micro-blogs, forums, Wikis, bookmarking sites and virtual
worlds. Further, It has been also seen and reviewed that companies within the retail sector need
to have a strategy for responding to various crises and issues faced by sharing on social media
including check and control on nasty comments, disgruntled customers, product issues,
governmental and criminal investigations, and more serious situations which ensures sharing of
limited and authentic information on social media. Thus, having effective governance and setting
a working committee that review and check each and every comments and content before
positing would supports effective ways and measures that can be adopted by firms within retail
sector to reduce the over sharing on social media (Winter, Maslowska and Vos, 2021). Thus, on
the basis of the review of current article it has been critically reviewed that there are various step
and effective ways that can be adopted by the retail organisation to keep and check and mitigate
the risk of over sharing of data on social media. It has been reviewed that create clear policies
and strategy for its employees along with separating the personal and professional use of the
social media to have check in public post and also as opposed to a private message to maintain
the confidential of crucial information is needed by retail sector (Faelens and et. al., 2021)(.
Justified methodology
This is consider as one of the crucial activity of the research that is significant for fining
right and accurate information about the topic. This will lead to have major impact on overall
research practices as well as help in attaining goals (Foxall, 2022). The research methodology
practice will in general give a blue print of the ways and method that are applied to direct a
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significant research and gather data for by and large study by the method of giving information
about the research method and approaches utilized for leading and driving out an examination.
The choice of the research method is having a tendency to be founded on the general viewpoint
just as the idea of the research along the addressing about the set feelings and convictions of the
researcher for social event and gathering generally authentic and dependable arrangement of
data. research methodology will assist researcher to analyse and evaluate different information in
proper manner in order to attain desired outcome.
• Research philosophy – This can be describe as the belief according to which different
practices of research could be conducted. Research philosophy upholds better engagement
inside the knowledge advancement process with the goal that the research can be finished in
a compelling and effective way. It is important for researcher to analyse different research
philosophy in order to select most effective and accurate research philosophy.
Fundamentally, there are four principle sorts of ways of thinking that can be utilized by an
examiner to do a study involves the positivism, pragmatism, realism and interpretivisim are
out of which utilization of positivisms philosophy has been proposed for current project. In
this research of the investigation on reducing over sharing on social media it has been
determine that researcher needs to consider positivism research. the positivism sort of
research philosophy will in general give and backing an exceptionally organized type of the
methodology that will quite often uphold systematic get-together of information through
utilizing quantitative nature of study along these lines prompts better examination and audit
of set subject and objective. Through this researcher will be able to find required set of
information and take accurate decision for attaining outcomes. The implication and use of
the positivisms philosophy would be made for current investigation as it supports a
systematic as well as practical way of conducting investigation to effective review about the
reduce over sharing on social media.
• Research approach – Research approaches are consider to be significant in order to find
accurate and appropriate set of information for successfully conducting research. the
research approach will in general give an interaction by which the researcher guarantees and
become ready to viable draw and lead out an overall end and viable research results in view
of the particular arrangement of observation and different cases (González-Díaz, 2022) . The
two principle kinds of research approach contain deductive and inductive approach out of
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which one is chosen in light of the idea of the study. Both of this research approach is
appropriate as it will help researcher to collect desired information. It has been analysed that
for this investigation on how to reduce over sharing on social media deductive research
approach is more significant. The deductive research approach is the one that is connected
and connected with the testing and evaluating the legitimacy of the presumptions related
with the picked point while the inductive is related with speculation of the conjectures that is
inaccurate and mind numbing in nature which is not suitable for this research practice.
Deductive approach will generally lead and guarantee a particular arrangement of research
results through applying successful testing and legitimacy of realities in this way, deductive
approach is more appropriate and reasonable for ebb and flow research project. Through the
support of deductive approach researcher will be able to gather right set of information.
Further, the main reason and justification behind making the use of the deductive approach
within current study tend to comprises of the fact that it properly in line with the positivism
research philosophy and offer a better way of testing and scanning of the collected data to
reach specifics set of information.
• Research strategy – This can be describe as a systematic arrangement and structure is
likewise upheld by the research strategy that is crucial to help the examine to guarantee
recognizable proof and determination of most fitting way that prompts better assortment of
data. It is essential for researcher to consider effective research strategy as this will also help
in finding relevant information as well as meeting with desired outcomes (Kaye, 2022).
There are different structures and sorts of research strategy includes survey, action research,
case study, interview, experiments, observation and some more. In this investigation of how
to reduce over sharing on social media, researcher is considering survey strategy. It has been
analysed that the utilization of survey strategy has been proposed for current study as it
upholds a simple assortment of data from bigger number of members. Survey strategy
includes the utilizing the poll as the research instrument that supports better assortment of
data from a bigger number of members in most expense and time proficient and powerful
way. In the survey researcher will be able to collect and gather information from different
respondents with the motive of finding required set of information. Making use of the survey
strategy is attending to be most suitable and rationale for current project as it implies and
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comprises of the use of the questionnaire for collection of data that supports most cost and
time effective way to greater information from a larger set of participants.
• Decision of research method – Research methods can be way of finding and analysing
required information and data. It is essential that investigator is considering accurate
decision of research method in determining appropriate information (Allen, Rivkin and
Trimble, 2022). It has been analysed that there are two fundamental types of research
method including qualitative and quantitative method out which subjective are related with
hypothetical information and tedious in nature. Both of these two research method are
accurate as well as significant in order to find required set of information. Qualitative
research method could be describe as the way of collecting and analysing information in
which can not be represented in numerical or statistical form. Where as quantitative research
method in appropriate in order to find information that could be shown in numerical form. It
has been analysed that qualitative and quantitative research method has been considered in
order to find accurate set of information. The utilizing the Qualitative method of the research
decision includes the social occasion of the non numerical type of the information in light of
a point that will generally be a complex and complicated in nature. Along with this,
utilization of the quantitative idea of research method has been proposed as it upholds
simple and more expense and time viable method of data collection in numeric terms and
furthermore upholds simple examination and presentation of realities to have further
developed results and meeting of set targets. So this will assist researcher to successfully and
effectively conduct research practices in order to attain desired set of information.
• Data collection method – Data collection method can be describe as the way or method of
finding required set of information in order to attain desired goals. Utilization of standard
procedures and authentic method of data assortment are made by the researcher to guarantee
social affair of important and dependable arrangement of data (Hensel, and Toronto, 2022).
Regarding current study of the investigation of how to reduce over sharing on social media it
has been analysed that the utilization of both primary as well as the secondary method of the
data collection has been utilized as essential source upholds authentic information though
optional will more often than not lead a base for examination. Primary method of data
collection can be describe as the way of gathering first hand information that is not used
before by any researcher. This is significant for finding and collecting authentic and accurate
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