Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Strategy & Execution
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation
A study involving over 200 senior managers demonstrates that overall firm performance is strongly influenced by how well a firm's business strategy is matched to its organizational structure and the behavioral norms of its employees. Identifies a taxonomy comprised of four different combinations of structure/behavior types: Management Dominant, Customer-Centric Innovators, Customer-Centric Cost Controllers, and Middle Ground. These alternative structure/behavior types are then matched with specific business strategies (i.e., Prospectors, Analyzers, Low-Cost Defenders, Differentiated Defenders) to identify which combination(s) of structures and behaviors best serve to facilitate the process of implementing a specific strategy.
Authors :: Eric M. Olson, Stanley F. Slater, G. Tomas M. Hult
Swot Analysis of "Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation" written by Eric M. Olson, Stanley F. Slater, G. Tomas M. Hult includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Defenders Matched facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Organizational culture, Organizational structure, Strategy execution and Strategy & Execution.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing transportation and logistics costs, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , wage bills are increasing, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, technology disruption, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs,
geopolitical disruptions, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Defenders Matched, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Defenders Matched 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Defenders Matched
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 Defenders Matched
Strengths Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Defenders Matched in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation Harvard Business Review case study are -
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Defenders Matched 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.
Training and development
– Defenders Matched has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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.
High brand equity
– Defenders Matched has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Defenders Matched to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Defenders Matched has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Defenders Matched 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.
Learning organization
- Defenders Matched 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 Defenders Matched is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Defenders Matched in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Ability to lead change in Strategy & Execution field
– Defenders Matched 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 Defenders Matched in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Organizational Resilience of Defenders Matched
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Defenders Matched does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Analytics focus
– Defenders Matched 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 Eric M. Olson, Stanley F. Slater, G. Tomas M. Hult 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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Strategy & Execution industry
– Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Defenders Matched to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Defenders Matched to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Defenders Matched is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Weaknesses Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation are -
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Defenders Matched 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 operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Defenders Matched 's lucrative customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Defenders Matched 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. Defenders Matched 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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation, 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Defenders Matched is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Defenders Matched has borrowed money from the capital market at higher rates. It needs to restructure the interest payment and costs so that it can compete better and improve profitability.
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 Defenders Matched supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Defenders Matched vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation HBR case study mentions - Defenders Matched 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Defenders Matched 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 bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Eric M. Olson, Stanley F. Slater, G. Tomas M. Hult suggests that, Defenders Matched 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 Defenders Matched products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Defenders Matched needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Opportunities Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation | 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation are -
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Defenders Matched to increase its market reach. Defenders Matched will be able to reach out to new customers. Secondly 5G will also provide technology framework to build new tools and products that can help more immersive consumer experience and faster consumer journey.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Defenders Matched 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.
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 Defenders Matched 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.
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. Defenders Matched can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Buying journey improvements
– Defenders Matched can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Defenders Matched has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Defenders Matched to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation case study. Defenders Matched can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
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. Defenders Matched 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
– Defenders Matched 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Defenders Matched 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Defenders Matched can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Defenders Matched can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Defenders Matched operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Strategy & Execution sector.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Defenders Matched 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Defenders Matched to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
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 Defenders Matched in the consumer business. Now Defenders Matched can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Threats Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation are -
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Defenders Matched 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Defenders Matched with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Defenders Matched is facing in Strategy & Execution sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Defenders Matched has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Strategy & Execution industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Defenders Matched 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 Defenders Matched 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.
Environmental challenges
– Defenders Matched 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. Defenders Matched can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Strategy & Execution industry.
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. Defenders Matched needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Strategy & Execution industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Defenders Matched 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.
Capital market disruption
– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Defenders Matched.
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 Defenders Matched business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Defenders Matched 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.
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. Defenders Matched 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 wage structure of Defenders Matched
– 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 Defenders Matched.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Importance of Structure and Process to Strategy Implementation 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 Defenders Matched needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.