Social Networking's Impact on UK Business - Dissertation Example

?Running Head: Research Proposal Research Proposal [Institute’s Social Networking's Impact on UK Business Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 SMART Objectives 3 Literature Review 4 Research Plan 7 Risks 10 Ethical Issues 11 References 13 Introduction Social networking has become the fundamental way of communication for the entire populace of the twenty first century. With all the advancements, the means and ways of communication and doing business have transformed. It involves and amalgamates a number of individuals and organizations under one roof where the people have the opportunity to express their individuality and even meet with other people with similar interests and opinions. The structure of social networking allows an individual to have his or her own profile, friends, discussion groups, posts blogs, and many more (Liebowitz, 2007, pp. 11-15). The widespread usage of social networking amongst masses elucidates the escalating popularity of social networking on a constant basis. It also shed the light on the fact that consumers profoundly calculate upon the social networking services before making a decision for their purchase of any product or service. However, several enterprises have become ignorant to the fact that the sales profoundly comes under the impact of the usage of social networking services (Donoghue, 2010). On the other hand, people, businesses, and entrepreneurs are inclining towards the usage of social networking, it is imperative that the social networking is leaving an indelible imprint on to the thoughts and perceptions upon masses. Therefore, it provides the researcher to conduct a wide range of investigations in order to determine the impact, whether negative or positive upon business community in UK. SMART Objectives The primary aims and objectives that urge the researcher to carry out the research analysis come under enlightenment below. However, these aims and objectives would enable the researcher to have a vital, evident, and extensive understanding about the social networking and its impact on businesses in UK. To determine the diverse and different types of social networking aspects To classify the trends and occurrence of the natural disasters To identify the impact (both negative and positive) of social networking on business, particularly the UK business sector To categorize and discover the arenas (such as marketing, employment, Corporate Social Responsibility and many more) on which the social networking abscond an impact on business in UK In order to compose a comprehensive and systematic analysis, the hypothesis statement is imperative that would help the researcher to accomplish the above-mentioned goals. In this regard, the research statement has come under design, which articulates, "How social networking has had an impact on businesses in the UK?" Literature Review Social networking is one of the arenas that lay key emphasis on fabricating the social associations amongst people who share similar interests, backgrounds and intend to develop own societies (Muniz and Schau, 2007, pp. 186-202). Besides, the social networking provides a choice of selection for the people to share their thoughts, events, activities, and interests within a particular developed network. Facebook, Twitter, Ask-a-peer, LinkedIn, Skyrock, Tagged, and numerous others are some of the popular and widely used social networking sites in the European region (Liebowitz, 2007, pp. 11-15). With the increased employment of the social networking, the impact that it creates on business has become a common and universal concern for the scholars and experts in various fields (Shirky, 2011, pp. 39-46). Therefore, research with respect to the impact has already come under initiation that even envelop several other aspects of impact of social networking such as privacy, social investment, youth culture, education and several others (Liebowitz, 2007, pp. 11-15). According to one of the very recent research study, it has come to notice that more than half of the employers in UK prohibited and disallowed their employees to make use of the social networking during the hours in office. This is because the organizations amid rising and increasing apprehension concerning the internet securities available within the enterprises (Jue and Marr, 2010, pp. 57-65). Additionally, the increasing episodes of hacking that has come under publicizing by the media are becoming the leading causes that compel the enterprises to tighten up on their employees with the usage of internet and social media networking services (Palmer, 2011). While quite in contradiction, a significant number of organizations are using social networking for a number of reasons and consider it as one of the very effective ways to create awareness amongst customers that would lead to a positive brand image in front of the customers since almost every consumer exercise the social networking (Jue and Marr, 2010, pp. 57-65). Organizations also make the use of the social networking for their recruitment process as social networking sites for example LinkedIn provides a comprehensive database of people with a wide range of skills and competence. Organizations also find it an uncomplicated and effortless way to discover about the existing and new competitors and their image amongst the customers (Warner, 2010). Studies even brings the fact to limelight that various organizations in UK also use the social networking sites and develop their own network that promote and drive the customers to have extensive discussions on how to improve or make changes to their products or services. Indeed, the organizations also intend to identify and distinguish the additional needs and wants or what customers expect from them (Warner, 2010). The previous research conducted with related to this topic exhibit the piece of information that social networking sites in general have come under consideration to be one of the effective business approach and methods that come under practice by the entrepreneurs. Past empirical studies have also highlighted the piece of information that organizations in UK, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SME) uses the social networking services as a tool of customer relationship management. This is because the networking services provide connectivity with minimum costs that benefits the small businesses seeking for expansion. These entrepreneurs often employ the social networking services so that they can place advertisements (in various forms that include tent advertisements, banners and many more) for awareness and recognition. According to the research, the small and medium enterprises in UK also benefit from these networks as they get the opportunity to contact and be in touch with the associates or acquaintances from all over the world that helps them in their expansion (Donoghue, 2010). Studies even expose the information that employees have also become reliant to the social networking as they find it a better, timesaving, and easy technique for any solution to the problem, rather searching the company intranet for a particular problem (Mulgan, 2007, pp. 68-77). The employees even consider the social media as the most useful and valuable means for executing a task or problem. In addition, one of the benefits that has come under illumination from the research studies indicate social media has provided wide-ranging evidences of transforming the image of public relations, such that the social networking services and sites have enabled the enterprises to reach and integrate with the consumers, businesses and people more directly (Shutterstock, 2012). Empirical studies also developed the understanding that social networking provides a platform for businesses, where the entrepreneurs and prominent business officials can come under gathering for socialization, discussions and exchanging or sharing of knowledge. It is effectively functional in UK where people of business community get an opportunity to become cognizant of the real world happenings and challenges. Consequently, creating an edge for organizations against their competitors and benefiting their business on whole. (Warner, 2010). Research indicates the fact that social networking services in UK are also catering the business community to a broad extent in a way that it advertises the businesses and commodities. The facet of brand networking is gaining familiarity and fame in recent times. The manufacturers are designing internet websites and web pages that efficiently catch the attention and give detailed information about the product to its customers. The customers come under provision with an option to provide feedback on the quality of the product or service of the enterprise by rating methods. As an outcome, social networking has proved to be of immense assistance for the marketing of products and services for various firms in UK. Research Plan The following research plan would come under implementation that would enable the researcher to attain the aims and objectives, as it is a systematic approach. Research Design The researcher would undergo both the research methodologies: quantitative research and qualitative research. Both of these methodologies provide effective and valuable data collected from the specific or random audience. In addition, it would facilitate the researcher to assemble the essential data and synthesize into an effective interpretation. Quantitative research methodology accentuates the scientific method that provides the researcher with most objective results achievable. Measurable data such as figures, numerical and other empirical data come under application with this type of research, thus would lead to a very objective conclusion (Kothari, 2008, pp. 3-5). While on the other hand, the qualitative research is subjective in nature. It involves data that does not represent the numerical values; rather it is more in the form of feedbacks and comments from the target audience. Furthermore, this method is crucial for the analysis on the current issue, as this data usually comes under application that involves emotions, attitudes, and opinions of the respondents (Kothari, 2008, pp. 3-5). Data Collection Techniques A set of questions would come under design that would cover the aims and objectives of the research through a scale of 1 to 5. However, the questions would also come under answering by the respondents in brief sentences (their feedbacks, comments, responses, and reactions). The questions asked through the questionnaire would make possible for the respondents to express their attitudes and opinions comprehensively about how the social networking services create an impact on to the businesses in UK (Kothari, 2008, pp. 95, 100-102). The respondents or the target audience would take account of the employees, enterprise higher management personnel and the customers. These all are pivotal to include in the research study as these all the pillars on which the structure of business stands. However, the sample size would be 100 that would come under distribution as 35 employees, 35 business owners and 30 customers. The gathered data from the questionnaire will be tallied and portrayed in the form of charts; hence, it would come under interpretation by the researcher in relation to the research questions. Nevertheless, the secondary data research would also prove to be substantial, as it would provide the researcher a clear and apparent understanding about the current activities and responses that the businesses have with respect to the impact of social networking in UK businesses. Therefore, the secondary data through internet, libraries, journals, and other sources would also be a part of the research study (Kothari, 2008, pp. 111). Project Timescale and Resources The entire research would come under accomplishment in a period of fifteen weeks. The research would come under initiation with two-week period wherein the researcher would accumulate all possible references for the research and time to make the questionnaire as well. Simultaneously the group of researcher would also engage themselves in collecting the secondary data as well. However, the distribution of questionnaires would require one week, and one week would come under requirement in order to compute the results. Two week's time would come under constraint to present the dissertation draft with the findings of the data. Below is the representation of the project planning: Task Name Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date 1 Literature Review / Formulation of Plan 1st week 2 Submission of Research Proposal 2nd week 3 Secondary Research 3-4th week 4 Analysis of Data 5-7th week 5 Primary Research 3-4th week 6 Distribution of Questionnaires 5-7th week 7 Collection of Questionnaires 8th week 8 Analysis of Questionnaires 9-11th week 9 write and present Draft of Dissertation with findings of analyzed data 12-14th week 10 Final Submission 15th week Key: task milestone Data Analysis and Interpretation The component of data analysis and conversion into meaningful information is one of the most critical and crucial aspect of the study. The researcher brings together the data from the responses and feedbacks for evaluation. The statistical analysis of the gathered data can come under representation by the use of Microsoft Excel by tabulating the data and illustrating in a graph form for evaluation (Kothari, 2008, pp. 112-113). Additionally, the researcher can make use of professional software like SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) or Likert scale for conducting the statistical analysis of the questionnaire. The results then come under interpretation by the researcher that would lead to the possible causes and reasons of the impact that social networking create on the business in UK. Risks While conducting the research analysis, the researcher might encounter various sorts of issues or risks that can hamper the research analysis. However, in order to develop the confidence amongst the participants and gain complete cooperation from them, the researchers can distribute a covering letter to all the participants. The covering letter would enclose information such as the details about the researcher, the aims and objectives of the research study, the reason why the respondent has come under selection, potential benefits or damage consequential to the study, what would happen to the information collected from the respondents and many other things. This cover letter would be a source of conviction for the respondents that might lead to true and exact results from the participant. The research study must identify and recognize the sampling method (for example, random sampling, and non-random sampling) and population based on the secondary research study. This is vital because it is uneconomical to collect data from every person of the population and due to this, the population size becomes significantly important. Moreover, if the respondents would include the business sectors that do not need to be a part of the study, the research would not provide the accurate and most precise results. Additionally, the research would not be able to fulfill the objectives of the study. The researcher must ensure that the sampling does not come under performance in a biased manner, as it would provide unfair and biased results in the end that might not fulfill the requirement of the research. Another considerable aspect that must come under strong consideration is the respect of confidentiality of the data that the respondents provide during the course of the research. The researcher should concentrate on ensuring that the respondents' rights to confidentiality come under value and would not come under disclosure in public. Ethical Issues The research proposal with the fundamental objective to determine the impact of social networking on business in UK would provide the researcher to have an in-depth analysis about the constructive and pessimistic opinions and causes of social networking on business community. However, the ethical considerations throughout the research study are indispensable to identify so that the research study comes under performance that can lead to accurate and precise information. The ethical considerations enlightens the piece of information that social networking services and sites are coming under perception as a positive aspect for the entire business community in UK, although quite a few issues highlighted have been a critical issue for the organizations. However, after presenting the proposal and working on the effective strategies of conducting the research study, the researchers would be in a much better position to present the businesses of UK with the ideas and recommendations on whether the social networking should come under usage or not. While considering the factors gravely and seriously mentioned in the section of risks associated during the research analysis, the researcher would get an obvious and clear idea about what things to cater in a very careful manner. The respondents at any point of instance should not feel that they are coming under exploitation with the information they are providing through the questionnaires, and should be respected in every way. Through the widespread analysis presented in the above segment of the proposals, it has come to notice that social networking is providing a positive impact on to the business community on whole, and is even providing a platform to increase revenues, profits, and global expansions. References Donoghue, A. 2010. “Companies Ignorant Of Social Networking Sales Impact." Tech Week Europe. Retrieved on April 13, 2012: http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/news/companies-ignorant-of-social-networking-sales-impact-8614 Jue, Arthur & Marr, Jackie. 2010. Social Media at Work. Jossey Bass. Kothari, C. R. 2008. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age International. Liebowitz, J. 2007. Social networking: the essence of innovation. Scarecrow Press. Mulgan, Geoff. 2007. How to live in an interconnected world. Harvard Business School Press. Muniz, Jr. & Schau. 2007. “Social Media in the Public Sector.” Journal of Advertising. Volume 3, pp. pp.186-202. Palmer, M. 2011. "Third of companies block social media." FT.com – UK. Retrieved on April 13, 2012: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4edb8512-d7de-11e0-a5d9-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1rpTkuLJ7 Shirky, Clay. 2011. The Political Power of Social Media. Council on Foreign Relations. Shutterstock. 2012. "The impact of social media on public relations." The Drum: Modern Marketing & Media. Retrieved on April 13, 2012: http://www.thedrum.co.uk/news/2012/03/21/impact-social-media-public-relations Warner, M. 2010. "Small business – the next frontier for social networks." Reuters. 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