Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination
This set of cases (labeled A through M [UV1898 through UV1911]) presents various vignettes, each with a specific dilemma about genetic testing and the ethical issues and difficult decisions that this testing presents to patients, doctors, employers and employees. "A Note on the Human Genome Project" (UV1911) is about genetic testing which provides background and information on the issues.
Swot Analysis of "Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination" written by R. Edward Freeman, Stacy Pierce includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Testing Genetic facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Health and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, there is backlash against globalization, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, technology disruption, increasing energy prices, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation,
competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Testing Genetic, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Testing Genetic 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Testing Genetic
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 Testing Genetic
Strengths Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Testing Genetic in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination Harvard Business Review case study are -
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 switching costs
– The high switching costs that Testing Genetic 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.
Digital Transformation in Technology & Operations segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Testing Genetic digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Testing Genetic 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.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Testing Genetic in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Testing Genetic is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Training and development
– Testing Genetic has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Testing Genetic has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Testing Genetic 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.
Ability to lead change in Technology & Operations field
– Testing Genetic 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 Testing Genetic in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Organizational Resilience of Testing Genetic
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Testing Genetic does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Analytics focus
– Testing Genetic 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 R. Edward Freeman, Stacy Pierce 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.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Testing Genetic 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.
High brand equity
– Testing Genetic has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Testing Genetic to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Weaknesses Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination are -
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Testing Genetic 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Testing Genetic, firm in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination HBR case study mentions - Testing Genetic 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Testing Genetic has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Testing Genetic 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.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Testing Genetic 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination, is just above the industry average. Testing Genetic 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.
Need for greater diversity
– Testing Genetic 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, R. Edward Freeman, Stacy Pierce suggests that, Testing Genetic 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination, it seems that the employees of Testing Genetic 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.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Testing Genetic is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Testing Genetic needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Testing Genetic to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Opportunities Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination | 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination are -
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. Testing Genetic can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Testing Genetic 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.
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 Testing Genetic 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Testing Genetic can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Testing Genetic operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Technology & Operations sector.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Testing Genetic 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 Testing Genetic to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
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 Testing Genetic in the consumer business. Now Testing Genetic can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Loyalty marketing
– Testing Genetic 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Testing Genetic 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.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Testing Genetic 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.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Technology & Operations industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Testing Genetic can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Buying journey improvements
– Testing Genetic can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Testing Genetic to increase its market reach. Testing Genetic 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.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Testing Genetic 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Testing Genetic to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Threats Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination are -
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 Testing Genetic in the Technology & Operations sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Regulatory challenges
– Testing Genetic 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Testing Genetic 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.
Environmental challenges
– Testing Genetic 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. Testing Genetic 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.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Testing Genetic 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 Testing Genetic with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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. Testing Genetic can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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 Testing Genetic business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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
– Testing Genetic has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Technology & Operations industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Testing Genetic 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.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Testing Genetic 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 Testing Genetic is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (F): Human Resources and the Issue of Employment Discrimination 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 Testing Genetic needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
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