RESEARCH PROPOSAL

RESEARCH PROPOSALASSESMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING ON E-BUSINESS28/04/2011CIS09-047(MESHACK THABISO)

EXECUTIVE SUMMERY

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who arelooking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand informationand experiences about cooking, golfing,gardening,developing friendshipsorprofessional alliances, finding employment, business-to-businessmarketing and even groups sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive December 21-2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our world.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking includingdata theft and viruses, whichare on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.Selling through websites is the fastest growing method of trading worldwide. There are two main forms of e-commerce: Business to business (B2B) trading where companies trade and exchange information using the World Wide Web.

Business to consumer (B2C) trading where companies deal directly with customers through web pages, and ordering is carried out online.Great caution and prudence is required to survive the dangers of web exposure within organizations and still yield great benefits from using social sites to boost business.TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NUMBERSACKNOWLEGEMENT3

INTRODUCTION.4-5

OBJECTIVES6

DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY7

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY...8

BACKGROUND RATIONALE.9

LITERATURE REVIEW10-12

METHODOLOGY.13-16

QUESTIONNARE ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS17-22

RECOMMENDATIONS.23

CONCLUSION.24

BIBLIOGRAPHY..25

APPENDIX

QUESTONNAIRE..26-27

QUESTION: AN ASSESMENT ON THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING ON E-BUSINESSINTRODUCTIONThe recent emergence and rapid growth of social networking has revolutionized the way the web is being used .While previously the web was predominantly used as a way of corporate information publishing, providing access to applications, or carrying out business transactions, community websites are turning this trend upside down. Facebook and other sites of this kind are attracting huge amounts of users and businesses are therefore poked to notice and take advantage of this. Some organizations have started using these social oriented sites for business purposes such as interacting with customers and advertising. Subsequently organizations are faced with a challenge of maintaining optimum levels of confidentiality and security. Great caution and prudence is required to survive the dangers of web exposure within organizations and still yield great benefits from using social sites to boost business. OBJECTIVES The main objective is to investigate the extent to which social networks have contributed to the success and or downfall of businesses. Consider and discuss probable applications focusing on opportunities, benefits and risks of social networks in business. Evaluate and explore the impact of e-commerce on business.DEFINATION OF TERMS

Social Networks- Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. Assessment- A systematic investigating and analysis of a subject. . E- Business- Selling through websites. Impact- outcomes and effects of the existence of something on others.LITERATURE REVIEWAccording to theMETHODOLOGYThis study uses a combined qualitative and quantitative technique with the active involvement of stakeholders in order to identify, analyze and respond to risks.

Interview

Both written and oral interview will be used; these will be done to accommodate all kinds of people i.e. literate and illiterate in website development. Interviews will be carried out mostly to gain an understanding of the underlying reasons and preferences hence interviews will be done on one-to-one basis. In interviews unstructured format will be preferred as it gives the respondent to say out his/her thinking freely without any limitations hence this will give the researcher to choose necessary information and may be get what (s)he likely missed to ask. The respondent will just be asked a general question then after that (s) he will be encouraged to talk freely with elaboration questions.

Magazines

Special magazines will be used during the research to check and read about articles concerning and involving Social networks and web usage in order to get a vast number of information to address the issue to the organizations who are not yet sure how to manage risks during the time of inception and usage of social networks, from totally different sources. This will also improve the research to have the balance being aimed to be archived at the end.

Journals

Journals will also be another preferred tool or source mainly because they are always up to date hence they will manage to enabling us aware of the current situations in managing risks and benefits of e-commerce. This will enable us to address the situation looking both at the history and the current situation.

LIMITATIONSMy major problem is the fact that the research goes in parallel with other assignments, there would not be enough time to real carryout a thorough research. There is again the use of technical language which sometimes can be a problem as there is a chance of misinterpretation of some terms especially when it is the first time to come across as the world of computing is evolving at a high rate. There is limited access to information concerning crime as some of the cases are still under investigation

Lack o adequate time to carry out the entire research soundly.

No resources to aid my study fully

DELIMITATIONS

The research will be delimitated to the following law enforcement organizations. Local internet service providers

Local dominant investors

Law firms The publicThe research will be delimitated to those organizations because of the time schedule since manufacturing sector is a broad sector and it may take a lot of time carrying a research on all the concerned parties and law enforcement organizations in Botswana.

TIME FRAMEActivityStartFinishDuration

Data Collection15-03-201122-03-20111 week

Data Analysis23-03-201107-04-20112 weeks

Research Paper Compilation0804-201128-04-20111 week

Presentation

Total4 weeks

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