Reflective Essay: Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networks Use

This essay reflects on a business research project focused on the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in business. It highlights the increased importance of social networks for product promotion and customer interaction, emphasizing their role in bridging geographical gaps and enhancing marketing effectiveness. The research sets objectives and defines the scope, exploring the benefits like global promotion, customer loyalty, and competitive advantage, while also addressing drawbacks such as negative feedback, security threats, and time consumption. The reflective writing emphasizes the contribution of the research to the author's knowledge, skills, and future career prospects, highlighting the importance of ethical research practices and the application of gained knowledge in future research endeavors. Desklib provides access to this essay and a wealth of other study resources.

RUNNING HEAD: Business Research
Business Research
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business

Business Research 1
Table of Contents
Reflective writing.......................................................................................................................2
References..................................................................................................................................6

Business Research 2
Reflective writing
I have prepared this reflection of the previous assignments which are based on Advantages
and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in Business. The motive behind writing this
reflection is to analyze what I have learned from the execution of previous assignments of the
research. I will discuss the key learning which I have gained from conducting this business
research and contribution of the learning to the experience and future growth.
I have gained knowledge of the different aspects of the research topic with a motive to
conduct the research within the time limit and attainment of the objectives of the research. I
have analyzed different aspects related to the topic of the research for enhancing the
knowledge and conducting the research in a successful way. I have identified that the
importance of social network has increased due to the change in the methods used for the
promotion of the products and interacting with the customers. With the use of social
networks, gaps between the different countries have been reduced. The social network has
acted as an opportunity which has enhanced the effectiveness of the marketing function of the
business (Baltar & Brunet, 2012). I have set objectives and defined scope of the research
program with a motive to define the aspects covered in this research. Objectives have been
set for guiding the research program in the right direction and scope defines the aspects
discussed in the program (Cho, et. al., 2007).
I have discussed different aspects related to the research program. I have accumulated data
related to the concept of social network, pros, and cons of using the social network in
business. From the information collected, it has been analyzed that social networks have
helped in sharing data with the different individuals for the purpose of establishing a social
relationship. Different social networking platforms are being used by the business for
establishing a social relationship with the different stakeholders (Picazo-Vela, et. al., 2012).

Business Research 3
Different views have been shared by the different authors for the social networks. I have
discussed different advantages and disadvantages related to the use of social network in
business. These advantages and disadvantages form a base for the decision of the business
related to the use of social network in business (Jenkins, 2009).
One of the most important benefits of a social network is the promotion of the products or
services offered by the business. Another advantage of the social network discussed in the
research is developing a loyal customer base. Promoting the business all around the globe is
another advantage of the social network. Brand voice can be communicated to the customers
and potential customers of the business. Business can regularly update the customers
regarding the offers or discounts offered by the business. Competitive advantage can be
gained with the help of the social network. The popularity of the social networks has
increased due to these benefits associated with its use in business (Verbeke, et. al., 2014).
Other advantages of using the social network are enhancing the image of the brand, gaining
insight of the preference of customers, better search ranking, enhancing website traffic,
availability of new business opportunities and enhancing services offered to customers. On
the other hand, there are few disadvantages of using the social network in business. These
disadvantages include negative feedbacks for the business, increase in threat to the security of
business, a threat to the confidentiality of business, hidden cost, time-consuming and increase
in efforts required (Yu, et. al., 2013).
This research program which I have conducted for the attainment of the aim of the course has
contributed towards my knowledge and skills. It has enhanced the learning process which has
contributed towards the experience. I will use the experience gained for dealing with various
issues faced in the future. This learning process is of great importance for my experience as
the knowledge developed will be used for performing the activities in a better manner. I
believe that learning process forms a base for the effective experience which will contribute

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towards my career. This experience gained from the execution the research has formed a base
for conducting future activities or programs in an appropriate manner (Tsingos-Lucas, et. al.,
2017).
I have conducted this research by forming an action plan. This action plan has acted as a
guide which has helped in directing the execution process of the research towards the
attainment of the objectives of the program. This learning process has helped in the
completion of the course successfully by ensuring that the expected outcome of the course is
achieved. The objective of the program was to complete the research properly for meeting the
objectives of the course. This learning process will help in meeting the objectives of the
future career in a better manner. As a professional, I will have to perform different research
activities for collecting data related to the topic. This knowledge which has been developed
from the execution of this program will help in conducting those research activities in a
suitable and appropriate manner (Chen, et. al., 2013).
I have formulated a plan which has worked as an outline for identifying the activities of the
research. I have formulated this outline for ensuring that the different activities are performed
within the specified time limit. During this learning process, I have ensured that research is
being performed properly. I have analyzed numerous methods which help in the
accumulation of quality data. Quality of the research is an important aspect as this ensures
data presented is relevant and authentic. Different methods or approaches have been put to
use for the accumulation of the relevant data for the research (Tsingos-Lucas, et. al., 2017).
This business research has outlined a base for the future career. I have performed the different
activities of the research in an ethical manner for performing the research in right and ethical
way. This business research has contributed towards the learning process which has ensured
that the outcomes are achieved. I will be able to perform the future research activities in a
better manner on the basis of this research program. For conducting a business research,

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knowledge of the manner in which a research is conducted is essential. Research learning
process will be used for meeting the objectives of the future career (Naber & Wyatt, 2014).
Assignment one of this research program has discussed the data related to the research topic.
The discussion has been made about the concept of social network, use of social network in
business, advantages, and disadvantages of using the social network in business. This is done
with a motive to enhance the knowledge of the topic of the research. In the assignment two of
the research program, the discussion has been made regarding the different methods applied
for gathering the relevant data. Both these assignments have ensured the success of the
research program (Chen, et. al., 2013).
I will ensure that the knowledge gained is applied for conducting future research programs
properly for achieving the objectives. Every research program is conducted by a researcher
with a motive to accumulate the data with the use of various methods or approaches for
presenting the different aspects of the research topic. I will use the knowledge enhanced with
this research for engaging in the research programs in future in an effective and better
manner. Learning process of this research has ensured that the experience is used to dealing
with the issues faced while executing future researches (Dalley-Hewer, et. al., 2015).
Thus, from the above discussion, it can be summarised that this business research program
has contributed towards the development of my knowledge and skills. This learning process
has enhanced my experience which will be used for performing the future roles and
responsibilities in a better manner. I have developed knowledge of pros and cons of using
social networks in the business.

Business Research 6
References
Baltar, F. & Brunet, I., 2012, “Social research 2.0: virtual snowball sampling method using
Facebook.”, Internet Research, 22(1), pp.57-74.
Chen, C.-H., Chung, M.-Y. & Wu, W.-chi, 2013, “The Effects of Faded Prompts and
Feedback on College Students’ Reflective Writing Skills”, The Asia-Pacific Education
Researcher, 22(4), pp.571–583.
Cho, H., Gay, G., Davidson, B. & Ingraffea, A., 2007, “Social networks, communication
styles, and learning performance in a CSCL community”, Computers & Education, 49(2),
pp.309-329.
Dalley-Hewer, J., Opie, J. & Knowles, N., 2015, “A creative alternative to reflective writing:
promoting skills of reflection through walking a labyrinth”, Physiotherapy, 101, pp.e766–
e767.
Jenkins, H., 2009, “A ‘business opportunity’model of corporate social responsibility for
small‐and medium‐sized enterprises”, Business ethics: A European review, 18(1), pp.21-36.
Naber, C. & Wyatt, T. H., 2014, “The effect of reflective writing interventions on the critical
thinking skills and dispositions of baccalaureate nursing students”, Nurse Education Today,
34(1), pp.67–72.
Picazo-Vela, S., Gutiérrez-Martínez, I. & Luna-Reyes, L. F., 2012, “Understanding risks,
benefits, and strategic alternatives of social media applications in the public sector”,
Government information quarterly, 29(4), pp.504-511.
Tsingos-Lucas, C., Cherie, Anticevich, B., Sinthia, Schneider, C. R., Smith, L., 2017, “Using
reflective writing as a predictor of academic success in different assessment
formats”, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(1), pp.1–8.

Business Research 7
Verbeke, W., Martens, D. & Baesens, B., 2014, “Social network analysis for customer churn
prediction”, Applied Soft Computing, 14, pp.431-446.
Yu, Y., Duan, W. & Cao, Q., 2013, “The impact of social and conventional media on firm
equity value: A sentiment analysis approach”, Decision Support Systems, 55(4), pp.919-926.