Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
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Case Study Description of Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?
In September 2008, Google and its Open Handset Alliance (OHA) partner, T-Mobile, launched the first Android-enabled smartphone in the U.S. market. Android was a new, open source, operating system for the wireless industry, developed by the OHA, a group which Google brought together in November of the previous year. The introduction of an open source operating system specifically designed for mobile telecommunications had the potential to make a substantial impact on the marketplace. The case describes the mobile telecommunications industry landscape Google faced, and the incentives that the dominant search engine provider would have for initiating the Android project. The case also describes the challenges facing Google, and the Android operating system. By studying the dynamics of the wireless industry available in the case, one may consider whether Google had the potential to become a Cross Boundary Disruptor (XBD) in the wireless industry.
Authors :: Robert A. Burgelman, Amanda Silverman, Christof Wittig, David W. Hoyt
Swot Analysis of "Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?" written by Robert A. Burgelman, Amanda Silverman, Christof Wittig, David W. Hoyt includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Android Google facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Strategy and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? casestudy better are - – challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing commodity prices, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion,
increasing transportation and logistics costs, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Android Google, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Android Google 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Android Google
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 Android Google
Strengths Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Android Google in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? Harvard Business Review case study are -
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Android Google 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 Android Google in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Training and development
– Android Google has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? Harvard Business Review case study by analyzing – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.
Strong track record of project management
– Android Google is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Learning organization
- Android Google 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 Android Google is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Organizational Resilience of Android Google
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Android Google does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Android Google has built up over years in its products and services combo offer has resulted in high retention of customers, lower marketing costs, and greater ability of the firm to focus on its customers.
Diverse revenue streams
– Android Google is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Android Google has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Android Google 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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Android Google is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Android Google to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Android Google to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Innovation driven organization
– Android Google is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Weaknesses Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? are -
Need for greater diversity
– Android Google has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.
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 Android Google supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Android Google vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Android Google 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.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Android Google is planning to shift buying processes online.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Android Google has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Android Google 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 - Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Android Google, firm in the HBR case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?, in the dynamic environment Android Google has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Android Google has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Android Google is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Strategy & Execution segment. Android Google needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Android Google to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Android Google 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, Android Google is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? | 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? are -
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Android Google 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Android Google to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Manufacturing automation
– Android Google can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Strategy & Execution segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.
Identify volunteer opportunities
– Covid-19 has impacted working population in two ways – it has led to people soul searching about their professional choices, resulting in mass resignation. Secondly it has encouraged people to do things that they are passionate about. This has opened opportunities for businesses to build volunteer oriented socially driven projects. Android Google can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Android Google has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Android Google to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? case study. Android Google can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
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. Android Google 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. Android Google 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Android Google can leverage digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the production process, customer analytics to get better insights into consumer behavior, realtime digital dashboards to get better sales tracking, logistics and transportation, product tracking, etc.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Android Google 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 Strategy & Execution segment.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Android Google 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Android Google 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Android Google 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 Android Google to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Developing new processes and practices
– Android Google 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 Android Google 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, Android Google 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, Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Threats Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? are -
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Android Google has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Android Google 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.
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.
Increasing wage structure of Android Google
– 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 Android Google.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Android Google 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.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond?, Android Google 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 .
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. Android Google can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Regulatory challenges
– Android Google 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 Strategy & Execution industry regulations.
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. Android Google needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Environmental challenges
– Android Google 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. Android Google can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Android Google with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Android Google 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.
Instability in the European markets
– European Union markets are facing three big challenges post Covid – expanded balance sheets, Brexit related business disruption, and aggressive Russia looking to distract the existing security mechanism. Android Google will face different problems in different parts of Europe. For example it will face inflationary pressures in UK, France, and Germany, balance sheet expansion and demand challenges in Southern European countries, and geopolitical instability in the Eastern Europe.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Android Google 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Google's Android: Will It Shake Up the Wireless Industry in 2009 and Beyond? 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 Android Google needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.