A Research Report on Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networks

This research report examines the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business. It explores the increasing use of social networking platforms by businesses to enhance performance and improve customer interaction. The report includes a literature review highlighting key aspects discussed by various authors, research questions addressing the role of social networking, its pros and cons, and considerations for selecting social networking platforms as a marketing tool. The research methodology employs qualitative methods, utilizing primary and secondary data sources, including questionnaires and interviews with employees of organizations using social networking, as well as articles and journals. The report also addresses research limitations, such as time constraints and resource availability, and outlines a time schedule for the research activities. Ultimately, the report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of social networks on business operations and marketing strategies.

RUNNING HEAD: Business Research
Business Research
Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 1
Table of Contents
Title:...........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Project objective.........................................................................................................................3
Project scope..............................................................................................................................4
Literature review........................................................................................................................5
Research questions and hypotheses...........................................................................................7
Research questions.................................................................................................................7
Hypotheses.............................................................................................................................7
Research Design and Methodology...........................................................................................8
Research Limitation.................................................................................................................10
Time Schedule..........................................................................................................................11
Conclusion................................................................................................................................13
References................................................................................................................................14

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 2
Title: Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business
Introduction
This research project has been conducted on the topic “Advantages and disadvantages of
using social networks in business” in which different aspects related to social network and its
impact on business has been discussed. Businesses are using social networking for enhancing
their performance and interacting with the customers in a better manner. Summary of the
literature review will be provided for highlighting the key aspects discussed. Different
methods and techniques will be discussed in this research program which will be used for the
collection of quality and reliable data. The research process will be prepared so as to guide
the execution of the research program in an effective manner.
Figure 1: Social networking
Source: (Advisor, 2017)

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 3
Project objective
Every activity is carried out with a motive which must be achieved from the execution of the
activity. Different advantages and disadvantages are associated with the use of social
networking platforms for business. These aspects will be covered under this research
program. Information will be gathered with the help of different articles and journals
available over the internet. Information collected will form the basis for the reliability of this
research.

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 4
Project scope
Use of social network is increasing due to which companies are getting attracted towards
these platforms. This research program will discuss the various advantages and disadvantages
of using the social network for business. Role of social networks and advantages and
disadvantages of using these platforms will be discussed under this research. The comparison
will be made between the positive and negative impacts of social networking platforms for
analyzing the impact of the social network on business.

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 5
Literature review
Social networks are those platforms which are being used for interacting with a large number
of people and establishing a social relationship with them. There has been a rise in the
number of companies using the social network for enhancing the performance of the
business. The social network is playing a vital role in shaping the performance of the
business. Need for increasing interaction between the customers and business is increasing
due to various reasons (Shafigullina & Palyakin, 2016). These reasons include an increase in
the competition, change in the expectations and demand of the customers, increasing need of
using innovative marketing strategies, attracting a large number of people towards the
products or services offered by the business and establishing a healthy relationship with the
customers or potential customers of the business. Different views have been presented by
different authors for the use of the social network for business (Fita, 2012).
In the words of Vahl (2014), use of social networking has enhanced the effectiveness of
business. Social networking platforms have the power to connect with a large number of
people as well as reduces the cost involved in the marketing function of the business. The
communication process between the business and customers or potential customers also
increases with the use of social networking platforms. Social networking platforms are being
used as a promotional tool which has provided a competitive advantage to the business. On
the other hand, Oyza & Edwin (2015), there are few negative aspects of social network which
are creating an adverse impact on the performance of the business. The social network may
negatively affect the reputation of the business as a social network are open and people are
free to comment on the information shared by the business.
Communication is an important aspect and business is focusing on enhancing the
communication with the customers of the business. Social networking platforms provide an

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 6
opportunity to the business for promoting the products or services with making fewer efforts
in less time. Social networking platforms are also being considered by the businesses as these
have enhanced the satisfaction level among the customers and helps in developing loyalty
among the customers. It has resulted in the enhanced customer base of the business. Changes
are taking place in the business environment and social network has helped in promoting the
business and coping with the increasing competition due to the dynamic business
environment (Si, 2016). On the contrary, Traditional methods are also used by business for
the promotion of the products or services of the business. Traditional methods help in
communicating with the different sections of the society who are not using social networking
platforms (Siricharoen, 2012).

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 7
Research questions and hypotheses
Research questions
Research questions for this research program are listed below:
 What is the role of social networking for businesses in this dynamic business
environment?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social networking to business?
 What aspects need to be considered while selecting social networking platforms as a
marketing tool for business?
Hypotheses
 The social network has changed the manner in which marketing functions of the
business were carried out.
 Social networking has affected the reputation of the business adversely.

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Research Design and Methodology
Research methodologies are the sum of different methods or techniques which a researcher
applies for gathering the required information from the different sources available. For the
execution of this research program, different methods have been put to use. These methods or
techniques are discussed below:
Research methods: There are various research methods available which can be used for
collecting information for the research depending on the requirement of the research. For the
collection of the data for this research, the qualitative method has been adopted for the
collection of the data related to the research topic (Smith, 2015). Qualitative method has been
applied for collecting information related to the advantages and disadvantages of social
network for business. Qualitative method can be explained as an approach used for collecting
quality data which helps in maintaining the quality of the research (Quick & Hall, 2015).
Research approaches: qualitative and quantitative approaches have been selected for the
collection of data related to the research topic. The qualitative approach helps in collecting
the data by developing knowledge of the reasons, opinions, and aspects which are hidden
behind the topic of the research (Crossman, 2017). Primary and secondary sources have been
used in this research program for collecting quality information related to the research topic.
Information has been collected from the articles, journals and research work of other authors
available over the internet. These sources have helped in maintaining the quality of the
research and developing knowledge of the aspects related to research topic (Nirmala, 2013).
Data collection: Data collection is done with a motive to collect relevant information for the
research so as to execute the program in a better manner. For collecting data related to this
research program, primary and secondary sources of data collection have been used. The
motive behind a collection of a combination of these sources is to develop a proper

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 9
understanding of the aspects of the research topic. Primary sources are those raw form of
information which is collected by the researcher directly from the respondent. This source of
data collection provides current information (Thomas, 2015). The questionnaire has been
prepared and it will be presented to the employees of organizations which are using social
networking platforms. The interview will be conducted by the employees of the management
department of the companies using social networking as a marketing tool. Secondary sources
are used as these sources are more reliable than primary sources (Turkenburg & McAuley,
2013). This reliability is due to the reason that secondary source of data is already collected
and used by others for their works. This aspect enhances the reliability and authenticity of the
data. Journals, articles and other internet sources have been used for collecting secondary
source of data (Johnston, 2014).
Sampling size and Techniques: data gets collected in large quantity and analysis of this
large quantity data in limited time span acts as a challenge. For coping with this challenge,
random sampling technique has been selected for the analysis of the collected data. Random
sampling technique is an effective technique which provides equal opportunity to every
sample of the population of getting selected and analysis is done on the selected samples.
This analyzed information forms basis for the conclusion (Nishad & Sankar, 2016).
Research Strategy: Research program need to be completed well on time for ensuring the
effectiveness of the program. For the attainment of this goal, it is vital to conduct the research
properly. A systematic approach has been selected for this research will have helped in the
execution of every activity of the research in a sequence. This has resulted into covering
every aspect without skipping out any important activity. An action plan has been prepared
for the identification of the different activities of the research.
Targeted market: Targets need to be set from where information related to the research is to
be collected. This helps in identification of the sources from where information has to be

Advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business 10
collected. A combination of primary and secondary sources has been used for this research.
For the collection of primary data, the questionnaire will be presented to the employees of the
marketing department of companies using social networks and interviews will be conducted.
Secondary sources have been collected from the internet and for ensuring the reliability
articles, journals and other sources are used which are published after 2008.
Choice: Different alternatives are available which can be used for completion of the research
program. The selection has been made after analyzing the need or requirement of the research
program.
Ethical consideration: ethics helps in bifurcating the right and wrong. During the execution
of this research program, ethical values and principles have been followed. This is done for
ensuring the conduct of the research program within the ethical framework. The focus of this
research is on collecting data in a fair manner, presenting the data in a fair manner,
maintaining confidentiality and conducting research in an unbiased manner.

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Research Limitation
During the execution of this research program, few issues have acted as a limitation and
affected the execution process of the research program. These limitations are mentioned
below:
 The short span of time was available for the execution of this research program. Due
to this limited availability of time, random sampling technique has been applied for
the analysis of the collected data.
 Lack of access to the data has also affected the execution process of the research.
 Lack of resources has also acted as a limitation. Different resources are required for
the execution of a research program and non-availability or insufficient availability
affects the quality of the research. For maintaining the quality of the research, quality
sources have been used.