RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

TOPIC: INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES ON MBA STUDENTS

NAME:MOORTHY.M.R.V.PAMPANA ROLL NO: 1225111414 SEC: MBA- D

A report on the study of influence of social networking sites on MBA students INTODUCTION: The social networking sites are going a lot of popularity these days with almost all of the educated youth using one or other such site. These have played a crucial role in bringing boundaries and crossing the seas and enabling them to communicate on a common platform. It has become a popular and a potential mean for them to stay friends with the existing ones and to grow up their social circle at least in terms of acquaintance. The question regarding the safety, privacy and the legal issues have cropping up all the time. Through this research I would like to find out the impact of these networking sites on their personal and professional lives of people using them. Major social networking sites: Among all the social networking sites face book and twitter stood in popularity. Face book was used by all to stay in touch with the people they know and twitter is used by people to know their favourite celebrity updates posted by celebrity. Other popular sites are link-din was used by professionals to interact with one other. Google + was used as a substitute for face book, mostly the activity is similar to face book. Literature review: Today social networking had become a part in the modern day life. To interact with people or for developing communication with office people social networking had became a way. In India social networking user are increasing drastically every day, almost every educated person in India are members of these sites. Many are finding these sites as medium of communication and as substitute for mobile phone. After referring to European commission on information society and media directorate-general where they emphasised on the effects of social networking sites on minors and what preventive measures, roles their parents have to play in minimising the addiction effect on their children. Education and awareness is the most important factor in increasing the ability of minors to protect them online. This might be increased by parents taking a more proactive role, or by social networking providers providing more information on home and sign-on pages, or by governments in making media awareness a compulsory part of school curricula. Protection of minors is important, but parental control should not extend to a right to cancel or amend accounts without the knowledge or agreement of the account holder. Parents should talk with children and take an active role in overseeing online activity, while respecting their privacy. After reviewing this project I want to elaborate the effects of online surfing on MBA students, particularly on my college students. I also want to know whether it is a boon or sin for the students using these sites.

Research problem: From the above project I want to study how the influence of social networking sites effect the after minor people and below adult people. Mostly I want to concentrate on youth so I took MBA students as my target population. So finally I end with the research problem as Influence of social networking sites on MBA students. OBJECTIVES: 1. The basic objective of the paper is to understand the usage pattern of social media among youth in GITAM UNIVERSITY. 2. It also aims at assessing the influence of social media on the consumer buying behaviour. 3. The study also explores the preference of the youngsters regarding various social media web sites. 4. The perception levels of individual towards social networking site. 5. The works gen-y would concentrate if social sites dont exist. 6. The negative impacts of social networking sites. 7. The benefits of social networking sites to MBA students. METHODOLOGY: After secondary data collection through internet, primary research was carried on through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was well structured and the responses were sought from respondents. The entire primary research study was done in GITAM University and a quantitative protocol was used. In order to provide a current snapshot of the youth market, this protocol involved data collection through a detailed questionnaire administered across Gitam University. By giving the comparative opinions on issues ranging from social network used, time they spend in social networks, influential aspects in the social networks. The instrument for data collection, in the form of a structured questionnaire was designed to elicit information on demographic and psychographic aspects of the respondents. The demographic aspects included age, gender, education etc. the psychographic variables included benefits, negative aspects, invitations they respond to through social media. The sample of survey respondents comprised of students in the age group of 21-25 years. In all 39 respondents, chosen on a random convenience-sampling basis in Gitam University Sample Size: Primary research was done through distribution of structured questionnaires amongst 30 youth studying MBA course in Gitam University LIMITATIONS: The findings are based entirely upon the research conducted in Gitam university and hence may not be applicable directly to other areas on counts of socio-cultural diversity and contextual factors. Such a survey needs to be undertaken periodically to gauge the exact consumer perceptions that they keep changing with time.

More-over with a dynamic behaviour of internet, many new social networking site will get popularised in future which are well suited for professionally developed like the site link-din. So the research is purely based on the present day scenario in MBA students of Gitam University. PRIMARY RESEARCH FINDINGS: In todays life most of the young generation are utilizing there valuable time mostly on the social networking sites for various reasons as specified in this research. These social networking sites had also become a medium of advertisement. For a question do you observe advertisements in social networks, 98% had responded with yes option which indicates this can be a better option for advertisements too. Coming to networks most of respondents in the young generation are using face book for the communication with their friend circles. An average time period MBA students are spending in these social networks are around one and hour. Seeing this time period spending we will be curious to know what MBA students are doing in these sites so I made a question with some parameters of which all got relevantly a near percents in reason for usage of these site. The one parameter which got highest knowing updates, other prime reason is for chatting. As MBA students use these sites for transfer of information regarding their team works and assignments in the updates.

Another important constraint I found with my research is the influential factor that motivates the MBA students in these social networking sites are picture message which account for 33 percent followed by inspiring stories. Indeed it is a very good positive aspect in social networking sites which motivates young generations.

MOTIVATING FACTORS
35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 PICTURE MESSAGES EVENTS MESSAGES STORIES OTHERS 20.51 12.82 7.69 Series1 25.64 33.33

In my research I found out an interesting fact that if these social networking sites doesnt exist then MBA students are going to concentrate on doing a useful work which got a highest percent in a parameter. Many of my respondents are MBA students so it is a positive aspect for the people. The next parameter which got highest is hanging with friends which will improve more face to face conversation. It improves more human values and grows better relations among people.
40.00 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 STYUDYING HANGING SHARING OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS EXPERIENCES DOING HOBBIES DOING ANY USEFUL WORK 5.13 25.64 15.38 17.95 Series1 35.90

UTILIZATION OF TIME IF NOT USING SOCAIL NETWORKING SITES

The solo benefit for MBA students with social networking sites are that people can easily connect with each other and communicate with their colleagues with ease and it benefits in better team building for doing works related to the professional aspect.

BENEFITS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING CONNECTING EASILY SITES

0.00 25.64 WITH FRIENDS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THINGS AROUND GREAT WAY IN LEISURE TIME 12.82 64.10 FOUND LIFE PARTNER OTHERS

The negative impact through social networking sites for the MBA student are loss of time as it constitutes as much as 30 percent and also the prime factor in the negative aspect of these sites as people are getting addicted to the site. Even though they got so many works to do people tend to open the site and spend time in surfing these site. A quality amount of work was wasted by MBA students in surfing these sites which they can utilize on any useful work for there career .

NEGATIVE IMPACTS IN SOCIAL NETWORKS

38.46 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00 23.08 5.13 Series1 30.77

Indeed these social networking sites benefits in promoting and inviting people for social causes and functions for both in professional aspect and personal aspect. Now a days most of the events regarding education and technical aspects student are promoting in these site for better penetration of their event to other college students. In my research the invitations that most students accept is social causes. It is evident from the recent activity of Anna hazare who got a tremendous response from youth for his anti corruption movement in India through these social sites. The next best is regarding invitation of professional and educational events.

RESPONCE FOR INVITATIONS

35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00

33.33

28.21 12.82 10.26 15.38 Series1

These are my basic important research findings about the influence of social networking sites on the MBA students. CONCLUSION: After analysing the data collected through questionnaire from the MBA students of Gitam University, I can specify clearly that face book is the most popular site used by youth studying MBA and the average time period they are spending are one and half hour in a day. After calculating the data we can clearly specify the reason for surfing the social networks are for updates and to keep in touch with fellow beings.MBA students get influenced by the picture messages and stories that are posted in these sites. Depending on the situation they will believe the information that is transmitted in these sites. An interesting fact is that if these sites dont exist then people of GITAM University will work which is useful for their career. The solo benefit for MBA students through social networks are they can build a good communication with the colleagues in the work place and can reduce the barrier of communication in working as team. The information of respondent in the social sites are a great concern and many feel that people are addicted to these social sites. There is a great scope for advertisements and promotion of events in both professional and personal aspects.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on the conclusion these recommendation are formulated for effective utilization of these social networking sites Students must use these sites for communication and developing inter-personal relations and not for entertainment. Social networking site developers should lay emphasis on security of the user information. Can improve a lot of friends circle but the use of these sites should be optimal Dont get yourself addicted to these site, use in controlled manner Dont let your personal information in these sites as security is concern.

Questionnaire
INFLUENCE OF SOCAIL NETWORKING SITES ON MBA STUDENTS
NAME: AGE: GENDER: M OCCUPATION:

1. I mostly surf in these social networking sites. a) Face book b) twitter c) link din d) Google+ e)others.. 2. How many hours you spent daily on social networking sites? a) below 1 hour b) 1-2 hours c)2-3 hours d)3-4 hours e)above 4 hours 3. I am using social networking sites for____________ purpose. (Can tick more than one option) a) Making new friends b) Knowing updates c) Chatting with friends d) Entertainment e) For sharing information and photos in class groups 4. Did you notice any advertisements in social networking websites? a) Yes b) No 5. Do you believe the information in social networking sites(like picture message, forward messages, stories ) influence people: a) Yes b) No c) depends on the context d) cant say 6. I sometimes get influenced / motivated by ________________ in social networking sites a) Picture messages b) Messages c) Events d) stories e) others____________ 7. If you were not using these sites what would you have done to utilize that time? a) Studying b) Hanging out with friends c) Sharing your experiences on that day to your family member d) Doing your hobbies e) Doing any usefull work

8. How social networking sites do benefitted you? a) I am able to connect easily with friends b) I am able to know more information about things around c) I find it a great way to enjoy my leisure time (or) whenever I am alone d) I have found a life partner through these sites e) Others _________ 9. What are the negative impacts you find in social networks? a) Loss of privacy b) Loss of time c) Addiction d) Emotional disturbance 10. What type of invitations do u respond more on social networking site? a) Social cause b) Professional/ educational events c) Birthday parties d) Formal outings, functions in company groups e) Movies, any special events offered by friends for time pass.