Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case

The Web 2.0 era is nourished by the emergence of collaboration-conducive web applications, such as blogs, social networks, and wikis. Among these, Wiki has particularly revolutionized the way information is created and shared within a wide variety of organizations, such as educational institutions, research centers, and business enterprises. The technically undemanding nature of Wiki alleviates the burden of mastering cumbersome or complicated technologies, thereby encouraging personnel to share and archive valuable tacit knowledge with other members of the organization. As a result, Wiki helps mitigate the reluctance of members to share knowledge, resolving one of the most pronounced challenges in managerial efforts to capture, transfer, and store knowledge for the firm. This case study presents the inception of a wiki by the NBC Universal Software Engineering and Delivery Team and the expansion of the wiki to other departments in the firm, in particular to Peacock Productions, which specializes in programming of documentary TV programs. The Peacock Productions case demonstrates that Wiki can be a powerful tool for managing knowledge in business corporations, which must adapt quickly to changing market demands.

Authors :: Danielle Bibbo, James Michelich, Eric Sprehe, Young Eun Lee

Topics :: Technology & Operations

Tags :: Social platforms, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case" written by Danielle Bibbo, James Michelich, Eric Sprehe, Young Eun Lee includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Wiki Knowledge facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Social platforms and Technology & Operations.

Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case casestudy better are - – digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, increasing energy prices, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing transportation and logistics costs, wage bills are increasing, technology disruption, etc

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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case

SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Wiki Knowledge, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Wiki Knowledge 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.

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SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix

SWOT analysis of Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Wiki Knowledge
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 Wiki Knowledge

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Strengths Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Wiki Knowledge in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case Harvard Business Review case study are -

Successful track record of launching new products

– Wiki Knowledge has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Wiki Knowledge 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

– Wiki Knowledge has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Wiki Knowledge to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.

Ability to recruit top talent

– Wiki Knowledge is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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

- Wiki Knowledge 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 Wiki Knowledge is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

Superior customer experience

– The customer experience strategy of Wiki Knowledge in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.

Digital Transformation in Technology & Operations segment

- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Wiki Knowledge digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Wiki Knowledge has successfully integrated the four key components of digital transformation – digital integration in processes, digital integration in marketing and customer relationship management, digital integration into the value chain, and using technology to explore new products and market opportunities.

Highly skilled collaborators

– Wiki Knowledge 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry

– Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Wiki Knowledge to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Wiki Knowledge to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.

Organizational Resilience of Wiki Knowledge

– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Wiki Knowledge does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.

Effective Research and Development (R&D)

– Wiki Knowledge 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.

Diverse revenue streams

– Wiki Knowledge is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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.

Cross disciplinary teams

– Horizontal connected teams at the Wiki Knowledge are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.

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Weaknesses Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case are -

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Wiki Knowledge 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.

Workers concerns about automation

– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Wiki Knowledge 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 bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, Danielle Bibbo, James Michelich, Eric Sprehe, Young Eun Lee suggests that, Wiki Knowledge 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.

Need for greater diversity

– Wiki Knowledge 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.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case, in the dynamic environment Wiki Knowledge has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Wiki Knowledge has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Slow to strategic competitive environment developments

– As Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case HBR case study mentions - Wiki Knowledge 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.

Interest costs

– Compare to the competition, Wiki Knowledge 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.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Wiki Knowledge 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. Wiki Knowledge 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.

Products dominated business model

– Even though Wiki Knowledge 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 - Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.

Increasing silos among functional specialists

– The organizational structure of Wiki Knowledge is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Wiki Knowledge needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Wiki Knowledge to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.

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 Wiki Knowledge supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Wiki Knowledge vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.

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Opportunities Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case | 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case are -

Manufacturing automation

– Wiki Knowledge 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.

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 Wiki Knowledge in the consumer business. Now Wiki Knowledge can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Wiki Knowledge 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Wiki Knowledge to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

Low interest rates

– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Wiki Knowledge 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.

Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19

– Consumer behavior has changed in the Technology & Operations industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Wiki Knowledge 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. Wiki Knowledge can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.

Developing new processes and practices

– Wiki Knowledge 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.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Wiki Knowledge can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Wiki Knowledge operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Technology & Operations sector.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Wiki Knowledge is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Wiki Knowledge 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 Wiki Knowledge 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 Wiki Knowledge to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Wiki Knowledge 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, Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

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. Wiki Knowledge can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Loyalty marketing

– Wiki Knowledge 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.

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Threats Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case are -

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 Wiki Knowledge.

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. Wiki Knowledge needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Technology & Operations industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.

Trade war between China and United States

– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Wiki Knowledge 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.

Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Wiki Knowledge has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Technology & Operations industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Wiki Knowledge 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.

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. Wiki Knowledge can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Wiki Knowledge 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.

New competition

– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Wiki Knowledge in the Technology & Operations sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

Regulatory challenges

– Wiki Knowledge 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 Technology & Operations industry regulations.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Wiki Knowledge 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.

Barriers of entry lowering

– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Wiki Knowledge with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.

Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins

– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Wiki Knowledge 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case .

Increasing wage structure of Wiki Knowledge

– 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 Wiki Knowledge.

Environmental challenges

– Wiki Knowledge 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. Wiki Knowledge can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Technology & Operations industry.

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Weighted SWOT Analysis of Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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 Employing Wiki for Knowledge Management as a Collaborative Information Repository: An NBC Universal Case 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 Wiki Knowledge needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

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