BBIM508 Social Media Networks Assessment 1 Brief 2026 | NZSE

BBIM508 Assessment 1 Brief

Course aim

This course provides students with an opportunity to evaluate current issues and investigate the use of social media networks in businesses. Students will understand social media processes and make recommendations to implement social media networks to enhance business outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of the assessment is to assess students’ ability to evaluate the principles and practices involved in creating social media networks and then investigate the effectiveness of online communities and various social media platforms in organisations as a part of their business strategy.

Learning Outcomes

This assessment relates to the following learning outcomes:

Graduate Profile Outcomes

The above stated learning outcomes are mapped to the graduate profile outcome shown below for this programme:

Assessment Overview

This is an individual open-book assessment. The assessment is worth 40% of your total assessment weighting of the entire course. This assessment consists of two tasks that align with Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. You will apply your knowledge of social media networks and online communities in a business context, with a focus on a real Māori-owned business operating in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Task 1: Business Analysis of Social Media Networks (50 Marks)

LO1: Evaluate the principles and practices involved in creating and using social media networks in a business context.

LO2: Investigate the effectiveness of online communities of practice and social networks in organisations as part of a business strategy.

For task 1, you will select a Māori-owned business and analyse how it uses social media. You need to evaluate key social media principles and practices, conduct a social media audit, and compare it with a similar successful business. You will also explore technical and social challenges that newcomers face when joining online communities.

Task 2: Design Appropriate Guidelines (45 Marks)

LO1: Evaluate the principles and practices involved in creating and using social media networks in a business context.

LO2: Investigate the effectiveness of online communities of practice and social networks in organisations as part of a business strategy.

In task 2, you will identify social media challenges for the chosen business and recommend the best platforms to use. You will explain how these platforms can help grow the brand and build online communities. You also need to give real examples of businesses using online communities well, show how social media builds customer loyalty, and discuss important things the business must consider, including ethical issues.

In this assessment, you are required to create a report consolidating the answers required from the two tasks.

Report Format to be Followed

• Front cover (include your name, student ID, course name, and assessment number)
• Table of contents
• Introduction
• Body of the Report (Based on the required tasks)
• Conclusion
• References

Assessment Task

For this assessment, you are required to select a real Māori-owned business currently operating in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will analyse how this business uses social media networks and online communities to support its goals. Your task is to evaluate principles and practices, conduct an audit, compare with similar businesses, and design appropriate social media guidelines. Note: You must provide real examples and relevant screenshots where required.

Task 1: Business Analysis of Social Media Networks 

LO 1: Evaluate the principles and practices involved in creating and using social media networks in a business context.

LO2: Investigate the effectiveness of online communities of practice and social networks in organisations as part of a business strategy.

a. Evaluate two (2) principles of social media networks that this business can apply to improve its social media presence and business outcomes. (LO1)

(10 marks)

b. Evaluate two (2) practices of social media networks that this business can apply to improve its social media presence and business outcomes. (LO1)

(10 marks)

c. Conduct a social media audit of this business, including its use of online communities, and identify two (2) current challenges it faces. Provide screenshots to support your analysis. (LO1&2)

(12 marks)

d. Investigate a similar business that effectively uses online communities in its social media marketing to build trust and support its business strategy. Provide supporting screenshots that show their success. (LO2)

(6 marks)

e. Evaluate two (2) technical challenges newcomers face when joining a social media group. For each challenge, explain how these are related to the principles and practices of effective social media network design and use. (LO1)

(6 marks)

f. Evaluate two (2) social challenges that newcomers face when interacting with existing members of an online community. For each challenge, explain how it affects the way the community engages and interacts on the social media platform.(LO1)

(6 marks)

(Total – 50 Marks)

Task 2: Design Appropriate Guidelines

LO 1: Evaluate the principles and practices involved in creating and using social media networks in a business context.

LO2: Investigate the effectiveness of online communities of practice and social networks in organisations as part of a business strategy.

a. Identify three (3) challenges faced by this business in using social media networks for business purposes.(LO1) (3 marks)

b. Recommend three (3) social media platforms suitable for the business. For each platform, list:

• Two (2) advantages relevant to the business’s goals.
• Two (2) disadvantages or challenges the business might face. (LO2) (12 marks)

c. Investigate how each chosen social media platform supports the growth of brand awareness, customer engagement, and the development of online communities that promote the brand. Provide relevant screenshots to support your analysis. (LO2)

(15 marks)

d. Provide three (3) examples of how a different business has incorporated online communities into its business strategy. For each example, briefly explain how the online community supports the business’s strategic goals. (LO2)

(6 marks)

e. Provide two (2) examples of interactions between sellers and buyers on social media (e.g., comments, reviews). Investigate how these interactions can build customer loyalty and increase sales in the digital age. (LO2)

(5 marks)

f. Based on the chosen business, evaluate two (2) important considerations for using social media and online communities. Investigate how these affect the business’s success. (LO1&2)

(4 marks)

(Total – 45 marks)

Report structure, English Writing, and APA 7^th Referencing

The report should adhere to a formal writing format and comply with a word limit of approximately 2500 words, allowing for a margin of ±10%. It is essential to incorporate APA 7^th in-text citations throughout the document and to include a comprehensive reference list.

Note: Check the assessment marking rubric on pages 8-14 for the marks allocation and marking criteria/guidelines to attain optimum marks.

(5 marks)