Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields are rife with a wide range of collaborative relationships intended to access knowledge, skills, and resources that cannot be produced by organizations internally in a timely fashion. As more firms rely on external relationships for knowledge, the ability to process, transfer, and transmit knowledge gained in one context to other activities becomes critical. This article examines the capability for learning both how and what to learn in the context of these inter-organizational relations, and it surveys various practices developed by companies for accessing and distributing knowledge. The key challenge in innovation-intensive fields is to develop organizational routines for learning that are robust, flexible, and durable.
Swot Analysis of "Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries" written by Walter W. Powell includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Knowledge Fields facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Networking and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries casestudy better are - – digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , wage bills are increasing, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, there is increasing trade war between United States & China,
increasing commodity prices, technology disruption, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Knowledge Fields, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Knowledge Fields 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Knowledge Fields
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Strategy & Execution field.
4. Making a Strategy & Execution topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Knowledge Fields
Strengths Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Knowledge Fields in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Harvard Business Review case study are -
Analytics focus
– Knowledge Fields is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Walter W. Powell can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
High brand equity
– Knowledge Fields has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Knowledge Fields to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Diverse revenue streams
– Knowledge Fields is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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
– Knowledge Fields is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Knowledge Fields to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Knowledge Fields to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Digital Transformation in Strategy & Execution segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Knowledge Fields digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Knowledge Fields has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Knowledge Fields 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 Knowledge Fields in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Knowledge Fields is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Knowledge Fields 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Knowledge Fields 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Organizational Resilience of Knowledge Fields
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Knowledge Fields does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Strong track record of project management
– Knowledge Fields is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Weaknesses Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries are -
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Knowledge Fields 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Knowledge Fields is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries HBR case study mentions - Knowledge Fields takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Knowledge Fields 's lucrative customers.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Strategy & Execution 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.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Knowledge Fields 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.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Walter W. Powell suggests that, Knowledge Fields is facing high bargaining power of the channel partners. So far it has not able to streamline the operations to reduce the bargaining power of the value chain partners in the industry.
Lack of clear differentiation of Knowledge Fields products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Knowledge Fields needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Knowledge Fields is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Knowledge Fields needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Knowledge Fields to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Knowledge Fields has some of the most successful products in the industry, this business model has made each new product launch extremely critical for continuous financial growth of the organization. firm in the HBR case study - Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Knowledge Fields 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.
Opportunities Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries | 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries are -
Buying journey improvements
– Knowledge Fields can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries suggest that firm can provide automated chats to help consumers solve their own problems, provide online suggestions to get maximum out of the products and services, and help consumers to build a community where they can interact with each other to develop new features and uses.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Knowledge Fields is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Knowledge Fields 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Knowledge Fields 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 Knowledge Fields to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Strategy & Execution industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Knowledge Fields can take advantage of these changes in consumer behavior to build a far more efficient business model. For example consumer regular ordering of products can reduce both last mile delivery costs and market penetration costs. Knowledge Fields can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.
Developing new processes and practices
– Knowledge Fields can develop new processes and procedures in Strategy & Execution 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Knowledge Fields in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Strategy & Execution segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Knowledge Fields 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, Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Knowledge Fields can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Knowledge Fields operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Knowledge Fields 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Knowledge Fields to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Reconfiguring business model
– The expansion of digital payment system, the bringing down of international transactions costs using Bitcoin and other blockchain based currencies, etc can help Knowledge Fields to reconfigure its entire business model. For example it can used blockchain based technologies to reduce piracy of its products in the big markets such as China. Secondly it can use the popularity of e-commerce in various developing markets to build a Direct to Customer business model rather than the current Channel Heavy distribution network.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Strategy & Execution industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Knowledge Fields can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Use of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies for transactions
– The popularity of Bitcoin and other crypto currencies as asset class and medium of transaction has opened new opportunities for Knowledge Fields in the consumer business. Now Knowledge Fields can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Threats Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries are -
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Knowledge Fields is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Environmental challenges
– Knowledge Fields 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. Knowledge Fields can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Increasing wage structure of Knowledge Fields
– 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 Knowledge Fields.
Technology disruption because of hacks, piracy etc
– The colonial pipeline illustrated, how vulnerable modern organization are to international hackers, miscreants, and disruptors. The cyber security interruption, data leaks, etc can seriously jeopardize the future growth of the organization.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, Knowledge Fields may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Strategy & Execution .
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Knowledge Fields in the Strategy & Execution industry. The Strategy & Execution industry is already at various protected from local competition in China, with the rise of trade war the protection levels may go up. This presents a clear threat of current business model in Chinese market.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Knowledge Fields has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Knowledge Fields needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Strategy & Execution 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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Knowledge Fields demand
– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.
New competition
– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Knowledge Fields in the Strategy & Execution sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Strategy & Execution field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Knowledge Fields can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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 Knowledge Fields business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Knowledge Fields 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Learning From Collaboration: Knowledge and Networks in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries 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 Knowledge Fields needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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