Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions" 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions casestudy better are - – wage bills are increasing, technology disruption, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, geopolitical disruptions, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing transportation and logistics costs,
there is backlash against globalization, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions | 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions Harvard Business Review case study are -
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Testing Genetic to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Testing Genetic to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
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.
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.
Diverse revenue streams
– Testing Genetic is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Testing Genetic 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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.
Weaknesses Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions | 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions are -
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.
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.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Testing Genetic 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. Testing Genetic 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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions, 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 Testing Genetic 's lucrative 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 Testing Genetic supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Testing Genetic vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions, 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.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Testing Genetic 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.
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Technology & Operations strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
Opportunities Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions | 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions are -
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.
Building a culture of innovation
– managers at Testing Genetic 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.
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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions - 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.
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. Testing Genetic 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. Testing Genetic 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
– Testing Genetic 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.
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.
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.
Manufacturing automation
– Testing Genetic 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.
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.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Testing Genetic 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.
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.
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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Testing Genetic can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Threats Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions are -
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.
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.
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.
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.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Testing Genetic 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 Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions .
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.
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.
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. Testing Genetic 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.
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.
Increasing wage structure of Testing Genetic
– 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 Testing Genetic.
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.
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.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions, Testing Genetic 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 .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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 (B): How Test Accuracy Levels Can Alter Decisions 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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