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Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations


The design, manufacture, distribution, and sale of software constitutes a rapidly growing and remarkably lucrative global industry. Leaders of most software companies understand that intellectual property rights (IPR) typically are vital to competitive advantage and company success. Theft of intellectual property (IP) in the form of software piracy is brazen, extremely costly, lowers incentives to innovate, and threatens the very existence of some companies. IP theft, therefore, is a daunting challenge for managers of software firms. In this article, we make several contributions that should prove helpful to software designers, managers, responsible users, and broad stakeholders of software innovation and use-that is, almost all of us. In doing so, we provide an overview of international legal, ethical, economic, and systemic considerations, and we share an analysis of the drivers of consumer software piracy. We then discuss strategic considerations and introduce a decision-making typology, which may help legitimate companies to devise strategies and tactics to manage their software IP in the face of widespread piracy.a??a??a??a??a??

Authors :: Alexander Nill, Clifford J. Shultz II

Topics :: Technology & Operations

Tags :: International business, IT, SWOT Analysis, SWOT Matrix, TOWS, Weighted SWOT Analysis

Swot Analysis of "Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations" written by Alexander Nill, Clifford J. Shultz II includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Software Piracy facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, International business, IT and Technology & Operations.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations casestudy better are - – cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, technology disruption, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , there is increasing trade war between United States & China, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, increasing energy prices, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations


SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Software Piracy, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Software Piracy 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Software Piracy
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 Software Piracy




Strengths Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Software Piracy in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations Harvard Business Review case study are -

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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.

Cross disciplinary teams

– Horizontal connected teams at the Software Piracy 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.

Innovation driven organization

– Software Piracy is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.

Training and development

– Software Piracy has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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.

Learning organization

- Software Piracy 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 Software Piracy is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.

Low bargaining power of suppliers

– Suppliers of Software Piracy in the sector have low bargaining power. Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Software Piracy to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.

High brand equity

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

Diverse revenue streams

– Software Piracy is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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.

Effective Research and Development (R&D)

– Software Piracy has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.

Analytics focus

– Software Piracy 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 Alexander Nill, Clifford J. Shultz II 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.

Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry

– Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Software Piracy to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Software Piracy to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.

Strong track record of project management

– Software Piracy is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.






Weaknesses Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations are -

Slow to strategic competitive environment developments

– As Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations HBR case study mentions - Software Piracy 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.

Lack of clear differentiation of Software Piracy products

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

Slow to harness new channels of communication

– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Software Piracy is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.

Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy

– From the instances in the HBR case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, it seems that the employees of Software Piracy 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 dependence on star products

– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Software Piracy has relatively successful track record of launching new products.

Slow decision making process

– As mentioned earlier in the report, Software Piracy 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. Software Piracy 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.

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, in the dynamic environment Software Piracy has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Software Piracy has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Increasing silos among functional specialists

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

No frontier risks strategy

– After analyzing the HBR case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, 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 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 Software Piracy supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Software Piracy vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.

Low market penetration in new markets

– Outside its home market of Software Piracy, firm in the HBR case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.




Opportunities Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations | 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations are -

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 Software Piracy 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.

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

Loyalty marketing

– Software Piracy 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.

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. Software Piracy can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Software Piracy is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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.

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. Software Piracy can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.

Lowering marketing communication costs

– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Software Piracy 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.

Low interest rates

– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Software Piracy 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.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Software Piracy can build a diversified supply chain model across various countries in - South East Asia, India, and other parts of the world. This reconfiguration of global supply chain can help, as suggested in case study, Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

Better consumer reach

– The expansion of the 5G network will help Software Piracy to increase its market reach. Software Piracy 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.

Creating value in data economy

– The success of analytics program of Software Piracy has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Software Piracy to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations case study. Software Piracy can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Leveraging digital technologies

– Software Piracy 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 Software Piracy can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.




Threats Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations are -

Increasing wage structure of Software Piracy

– 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 Software Piracy.

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

Environmental challenges

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

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 Software Piracy in the Technology & Operations sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

Stagnating economy with rate increase

– Software Piracy 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.

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 Software Piracy.

Barriers of entry lowering

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

Learning curve for new practices

– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations, Software Piracy 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 .

Shortening product life cycle

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

Regulatory challenges

– Software Piracy 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.

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. Software Piracy 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.

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 Software Piracy business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Global Software Piracy: Trends and Strategic Considerations 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 Software Piracy needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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