Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged)
Describes the reorganization of the Systems Development resource from Central MIS to the divisions. Whereas this had been planned for October 1990, unexpected senior management changes precipitated a request to reorganize 12 to 18 months ahead of schedule. Also describes a decision that must be made whether or not to centralize all mainframe processing--even that which had been handled by the London data center--in the Allentown data center. A rewritten version of two earlier cases.
Swot Analysis of "Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged)" written by Donna B. Stoddard includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Mis Reorganization facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Organizational structure and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) casestudy better are - – supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, geopolitical disruptions, 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, there is backlash against globalization, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Mis Reorganization, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Mis Reorganization 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Mis Reorganization
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Technology & Operations field.
4. Making a Technology & Operations topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Mis Reorganization
Strengths Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Mis Reorganization in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Organizational Resilience of Mis Reorganization
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Mis Reorganization does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Mis Reorganization in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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.
High brand equity
– Mis Reorganization has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Mis Reorganization to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Diverse revenue streams
– Mis Reorganization is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Mis Reorganization 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Mis Reorganization in the sector have low bargaining power. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Mis Reorganization to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Analytics focus
– Mis Reorganization 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 Donna B. Stoddard 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Mis Reorganization is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Learning organization
- Mis Reorganization 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 Mis Reorganization is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Strong track record of project management
– Mis Reorganization is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Innovation driven organization
– Mis Reorganization is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Weaknesses Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) are -
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Mis Reorganization 's lucrative customers.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged), is just above the industry average. Mis Reorganization needs to redesign the compensation structure and incentives to increase the revenue per employees. Some of the steps that it can take are – hiring more specialists on project basis, etc.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Mis Reorganization is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
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 Mis Reorganization supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Mis Reorganization vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Mis Reorganization 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. Mis Reorganization 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) HBR case study still accounts for major business revenue. This dependence on star products in has resulted into insufficient focus on developing new products, even though Mis Reorganization has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Mis Reorganization 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 - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged), it seems that the employees of Mis Reorganization 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.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Mis Reorganization 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.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged), in the dynamic environment Mis Reorganization has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Mis Reorganization has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Mis Reorganization 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.
Opportunities Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) | 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) are -
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Mis Reorganization in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Technology & Operations segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Manufacturing automation
– Mis Reorganization can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Technology & Operations 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Mis Reorganization 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, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Loyalty marketing
– Mis Reorganization 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Mis Reorganization 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.
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 Mis Reorganization in the consumer business. Now Mis Reorganization can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Mis Reorganization has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Mis Reorganization to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) case study. Mis Reorganization can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Mis Reorganization 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 Technology & Operations segment.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Mis Reorganization 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 Mis Reorganization to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Mis Reorganization 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Mis Reorganization to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Mis Reorganization is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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.
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 Mis Reorganization 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. Mis Reorganization can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Threats Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) are -
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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Mis Reorganization 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.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Technology & Operations field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Mis Reorganization can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Increasing wage structure of Mis Reorganization
– 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 Mis Reorganization.
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. Mis Reorganization needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Technology & Operations industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
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. Mis Reorganization 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, Mis Reorganization 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) .
Consumer confidence and its impact on Mis Reorganization 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
– Mis Reorganization 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. Mis Reorganization can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Technology & Operations industry.
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 Mis Reorganization business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Mis Reorganization with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Mis Reorganization in the Technology & Operations industry. The Technology & Operations 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.
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 Mis Reorganization.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.: MIS Reorganization (A) & Project ICON (A) (Abridged) 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 Mis Reorganization needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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