Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials

Genzyme Tissue Repair (GTR) had just received favorable Phase I clinical trial results, an important first step in gaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its NeuroCell-PD. The groundbreaking technology behind NeuroCell-PD (developed by Diacrin, Inc.) used fetal pig cell neural transplants to treat Parkinson's disease. GTR was eager to get NeuroCell-PD to market as quickly as possible but knew that the path to obtaining FDA approval would be difficult. Genzyme, an innovative biotechnology company, had often entered uncharted territories in the past and had set precedents in medical research. Controversy would likely center on whether GTR would use what some were calling "sham" surgery as a placebo control in its Phase II trials of NeuroCell-PD in Parkinson's patients--trials intended to demonstrate both the efficacy and safety of the procedure. In sham surgery, a segment of patients in a study undergo the same aspects of the surgery experience as those receiving the experimental treatment, except that it does not involve fetal pig cells. Details the process for testing NeuroCell-PD and discusses the issues concerning sham surgery. Asks students to make a recommendation on whether to conduct sham surgery.

Authors :: Margaret L. Eaton, Tara Thiagarajan, Mark Hong

Topics :: Technology & Operations

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

Swot Analysis of "Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials" written by Margaret L. Eaton, Tara Thiagarajan, Mark Hong includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Neurocell Pd facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, and Technology & Operations.

Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials casestudy better are - – cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, increasing commodity prices, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, geopolitical disruptions, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc

---

---

---

---

Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials

SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Neurocell Pd, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Neurocell Pd 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Neurocell Pd
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 Neurocell Pd

---

Strengths Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Neurocell Pd in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials Harvard Business Review case study are -

Ability to lead change in Technology & Operations field

– Neurocell Pd 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 Neurocell Pd in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.

Diverse revenue streams

– Neurocell Pd is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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

- Neurocell Pd 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 Neurocell Pd is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

High switching costs

– The high switching costs that Neurocell Pd 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.

Highly skilled collaborators

– Neurocell Pd 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.

Cross disciplinary teams

– Horizontal connected teams at the Neurocell Pd 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.

Successful track record of launching new products

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

Superior customer experience

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

Organizational Resilience of Neurocell Pd

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

Innovation driven organization

– Neurocell Pd is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry

– Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Neurocell Pd to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Neurocell Pd to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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.

---

---

Weaknesses Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials are -

Increasing silos among functional specialists

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

High bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, Margaret L. Eaton, Tara Thiagarajan, Mark Hong suggests that, Neurocell Pd 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.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Neurocell Pd 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. Neurocell Pd 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.

Lack of clear differentiation of Neurocell Pd products

– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Neurocell Pd needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.

Low market penetration in new markets

– Outside its home market of Neurocell Pd, firm in the HBR case study Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.

Workers concerns about automation

– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Neurocell Pd 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.

No frontier risks strategy

– After analyzing the HBR case study Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials, 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.

High cash cycle compare to competitors

Neurocell Pd has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Neurocell Pd 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.

Compensation and incentives

– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials, is just above the industry average. Neurocell Pd 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 operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Neurocell Pd 's lucrative customers.

---

Opportunities Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials | 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials are -

Reforming the budgeting process

- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Neurocell Pd can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.

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

Low interest rates

– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Neurocell Pd 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.

Developing new processes and practices

– Neurocell Pd 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.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Neurocell Pd 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.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Neurocell Pd 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.

Buying journey improvements

– Neurocell Pd can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Neurocell Pd to increase its market reach. Neurocell Pd 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.

Loyalty marketing

– Neurocell Pd 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.

Manufacturing automation

– Neurocell Pd 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 Neurocell Pd 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 Neurocell Pd to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.

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. Neurocell Pd 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. Neurocell Pd 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.

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 Neurocell Pd 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.

---

Threats Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Neurocell Pd.

Regulatory challenges

– Neurocell Pd 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.

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 Neurocell Pd in the Technology & Operations sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Neurocell Pd 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.

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

Environmental challenges

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

Shortening product life cycle

– it is one of the major threat that Neurocell Pd is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Neurocell Pd 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.

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. Neurocell Pd 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.

Trade war between China and United States

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

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.

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.

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

---

Weighted SWOT Analysis of Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Genzyme and the Research Ethics Questions Associated with Its NeuroCell-PD (TM) Trials 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 Neurocell Pd needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

--- ---