Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version
Describes the actions taken by the government of Singapore to enable the country to survive and prosper after it achieved independence in the late 1960s. Recognizing that its small size, limited natural resources, but excellent location placed it in a vulnerable position, the prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, defined a vision for the country as an information, trade, and business hub for Southeast Asia. This case describes the evolution of the vision, organization, and IT infrastructure as Singapore attempts to extend its influence and reach outside its national boundaries.
Authors :: Lynda M. Applegate, Boon Siong Neo, John King, Carin-Isabel Knoop
Swot Analysis of "Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version" written by Lynda M. Applegate, Boon Siong Neo, John King, Carin-Isabel Knoop includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Singapore Kuan facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Growth strategy, International business, IT, Policy, Workspaces and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version casestudy better are - – increasing energy prices, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, technology disruption, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing commodity prices,
wage bills are increasing, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Singapore Kuan, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Singapore Kuan 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Singapore Kuan
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 Singapore Kuan
Strengths Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Singapore Kuan in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version Harvard Business Review case study are -
Strong track record of project management
– Singapore Kuan is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Singapore Kuan is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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
- Singapore Kuan 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 Singapore Kuan is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Singapore Kuan to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Singapore Kuan to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Singapore Kuan has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Innovation driven organization
– Singapore Kuan is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Singapore Kuan has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Singapore Kuan 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.
High brand equity
– Singapore Kuan has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Singapore Kuan to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Analytics focus
– Singapore Kuan 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 Lynda M. Applegate, Boon Siong Neo, John King, Carin-Isabel Knoop 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 switching costs
– The high switching costs that Singapore Kuan 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
– Singapore Kuan is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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.
Weaknesses Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version are -
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Singapore Kuan 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Kuan has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version, it seems that the employees of Singapore Kuan don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
High cash cycle compare to competitors
Singapore Kuan 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Singapore Kuan 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Singapore Kuan 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 - Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Singapore Kuan is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Singapore Kuan needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Singapore Kuan to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Kuan 's lucrative customers.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version, in the dynamic environment Singapore Kuan has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Singapore Kuan has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
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 Singapore Kuan supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Singapore Kuan vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Lynda M. Applegate, Boon Siong Neo, John King, Carin-Isabel Knoop suggests that, Singapore Kuan 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.
Opportunities Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version | 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version are -
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Singapore Kuan 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Singapore Kuan is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Singapore Kuan can develop new processes and procedures in Technology & Operations industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Singapore Kuan 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Singapore Kuan 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Singapore Kuan can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Singapore Kuan has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Singapore Kuan to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version case study. Singapore Kuan can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Singapore Kuan 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Singapore Kuan to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Singapore Kuan 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Singapore Kuan 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Singapore Kuan to increase its market reach. Singapore Kuan 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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Singapore Kuan 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Singapore Kuan can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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.
Threats Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Singapore Kuan has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Technology & Operations industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Singapore Kuan needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Technology & Operations sector. According to Mckinsey study top managers believe that the adoption of technology in operations, communications is 20-25 times faster than what they planned in the beginning of 2019.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version, Singapore Kuan may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Technology & Operations .
Environmental challenges
– Singapore Kuan 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. Singapore Kuan can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Technology & Operations industry.
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 Technology & Operations field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Singapore Kuan 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 Singapore Kuan
– 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 Singapore Kuan.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Singapore Kuan 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.
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 Singapore Kuan business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Singapore Kuan 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.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Singapore Kuan is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Singapore Kuan with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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 Singapore Kuan.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Unlimited: Building the National Information Infrastructure, Portuguese Version 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 Singapore Kuan needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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