Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
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Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members" 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members casestudy better are - – challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, technology disruption, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, increasing commodity prices, increasing energy prices, there is backlash against globalization,
customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members | 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members Harvard Business Review case study are -
Strong track record of project management
– Testing Genetic is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Testing Genetic in the sector have low bargaining power. Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Testing Genetic to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
Learning organization
- Testing Genetic 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 Testing Genetic is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
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.
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.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
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.
Innovation driven organization
– Testing Genetic is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
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.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members | 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members, 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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Testing Genetic products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Testing Genetic needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
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.
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.
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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Testing Genetic is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Opportunities Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members | 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members are -
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members - 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.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Testing Genetic is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Threats Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members are -
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members, 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 .
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.
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 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.
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.
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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members .
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.
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.
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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Genetic Testing and the Puzzles We Are Left To Solve (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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 (C): Informing Individuals Against the Wishes of Family Members 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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