Case Study Description of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise
Overview of a method for diagnosing and developing an organization's capability to achieve its goals and implement its strategy, with exercises for application. A rewritten version of an earlier exercise.
Swot Analysis of "Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise" written by Michael Beer includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Exercise Diagnosing facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Human resource management, Organizational structure, Strategic planning and Organizational Development.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise casestudy better are - – central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing commodity prices,
wage bills are increasing, geopolitical disruptions, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Exercise Diagnosing, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Exercise Diagnosing operates in.
According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.
SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix
SWOT analysis of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Exercise Diagnosing
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Organizational Development field.
4. Making a Organizational Development topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Exercise Diagnosing
Strengths Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Exercise Diagnosing in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise Harvard Business Review case study are -
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Exercise Diagnosing are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.
Organizational Resilience of Exercise Diagnosing
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Exercise Diagnosing does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Ability to lead change in Organizational Development field
– Exercise Diagnosing is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Exercise Diagnosing in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Learning organization
- Exercise Diagnosing is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Exercise Diagnosing is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
High brand equity
– Exercise Diagnosing has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Exercise Diagnosing to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Exercise Diagnosing is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Exercise Diagnosing has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Diverse revenue streams
– Exercise Diagnosing is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.
Innovation driven organization
– Exercise Diagnosing is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Exercise Diagnosing in the sector have low bargaining power. Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Exercise Diagnosing to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Exercise Diagnosing has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Exercise Diagnosing has effective processes in place that helps in exploring new product needs, doing quick pilot testing, and then launching the products quickly using its extensive distribution network.
Weaknesses Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise are -
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Exercise Diagnosing has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Exercise Diagnosing needs to come up with a strategy to reduce the workers concern regarding automation. Without a clear strategy, it could lead to disruption and uncertainty within the organization.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Exercise Diagnosing is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Organizational Development segment. Exercise Diagnosing needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Exercise Diagnosing to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise, it seems that the employees of Exercise Diagnosing don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Exercise Diagnosing supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Exercise Diagnosing vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise has high operating costs in the. This can be harder to sustain given the new emerging competition from nimble players who are using technology to attract Exercise Diagnosing 's lucrative customers.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Exercise Diagnosing has not been able to do capital spending to the tune of the competition. This has resulted into fewer innovations and company facing stiff competition from both existing competitors and new entrants who are disrupting the industry using digital technology.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Exercise Diagnosing has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Exercise Diagnosing even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
Lack of clear differentiation of Exercise Diagnosing products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Exercise Diagnosing needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Organizational Development strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Exercise Diagnosing is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Opportunities Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Exercise Diagnosing is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Exercise Diagnosing can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Exercise Diagnosing operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Organizational Development sector.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Organizational Development industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Exercise Diagnosing can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Loyalty marketing
– Exercise Diagnosing has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Exercise Diagnosing has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Exercise Diagnosing to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise case study. Exercise Diagnosing can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Exercise Diagnosing can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Developing new processes and practices
– Exercise Diagnosing can develop new processes and procedures in Organizational Development industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Exercise Diagnosing can still utilize the low interest rates to borrow money for capital investment. Secondly it can also use the increase of government spending in infrastructure projects to get new business.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Exercise Diagnosing has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Exercise Diagnosing to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Exercise Diagnosing can make experimentation a productive activity and build a culture of innovation using approaches such as – mining transaction data, A/B testing of websites and selling platforms, engaging potential customers over various needs, and building on small ideas in the Organizational Development segment.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Exercise Diagnosing to conduct training and development for its employees across the world. This will result in not only reducing the cost of training but also help employees in different part of the world to integrate with the headquarter work culture, ethos, and standards.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Exercise Diagnosing in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Organizational Development segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Exercise Diagnosing to expand its talent hiring zone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 20% of the high end workforce in fields such as finance, information technology, can continously work from remote local post Covid-19. This presents a really great opportunity for Exercise Diagnosing to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Threats Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise are -
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Exercise Diagnosing high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.
Aging population
– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.
Backlash against dominant players
– US Congress and other legislative arms of the government are getting tough on big business especially technology companies. The digital arm of Exercise Diagnosing business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Organizational Development field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Exercise Diagnosing can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
High level of anxiety and lack of motivation
– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Exercise Diagnosing needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Organizational Development industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Regulatory challenges
– Exercise Diagnosing needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Organizational Development industry regulations.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Exercise Diagnosing can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise .
Environmental challenges
– Exercise Diagnosing needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Exercise Diagnosing can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Organizational Development industry.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Exercise Diagnosing with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Exercise Diagnosing can face lack of demand in the market place because of Fed actions to reduce inflation. This can lead to sluggish growth in the economy, lower demands, lower investments, higher borrowing costs, and consolidation in the field.
Increasing wage structure of Exercise Diagnosing
– Post Covid-19 there is a sharp increase in the wages especially in the jobs that require interaction with people. The increasing wages can put downward pressure on the margins of Exercise Diagnosing.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Exercise Diagnosing has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Organizational Development industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Exercise Diagnosing needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Organizational Development sector. According to Mckinsey study top managers believe that the adoption of technology in operations, communications is 20-25 times faster than what they planned in the beginning of 2019.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise, Exercise Diagnosing may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Organizational Development .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise Template, Example
Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants.
We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –
First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.
Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.
Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Strategic Human Resource Management Applications Exercise is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Exercise Diagnosing needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.