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Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution

Case Study Description of Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity


In 2016, blockchain, the technological innovation behind the cryptocurrency bitcoin, was gaining traction as companies began to integrate blockchain-based technology into their existing business models. While blockchain technology was still in its infancy, it could potentially transform the US$40 trillion global supply-chain industry. Ultimately, the emergence of blockchain would challenge market positioning in established businesses. Some advantages would become obsolete with the introduction of blockchain into the supply-chain network. How would vertically integrated companies compete with multiple participants that specialized in a particular task linked by blockchain? Would the key to future businesses be providing value-added services rather than seeking information asymmetry in the market? What kinds of firms could leverage this technology to better position their brands and value creation?

Authors :: Xin Wang, Xin Xu, Min Pan

Topics :: Technology & Operations

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

Swot Analysis of "Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity" written by Xin Wang, Xin Xu, Min Pan includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Blockchain Supply facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Technology and Technology & Operations.


Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity casestudy better are - – increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, wage bills are increasing, increasing energy prices, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, geopolitical disruptions, etc



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Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity


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




Strengths Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The strengths of Blockchain Supply in Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity Harvard Business Review case study are -

Digital Transformation in Technology & Operations segment

- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Blockchain Supply digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Blockchain Supply 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.

Diverse revenue streams

– Blockchain Supply is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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.

Superior customer experience

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

Ability to recruit top talent

– Blockchain Supply is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.

Innovation driven organization

– Blockchain Supply is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.

Organizational Resilience of Blockchain Supply

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

Operational resilience

– The operational resilience strategy in the Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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.

Ability to lead change in Technology & Operations field

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

Strong track record of project management

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

Training and development

– Blockchain Supply has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity Harvard Business Review case study by analyzing – employees retention, in-house promotion, loyalty, new venture initiation, lack of conflict, and high level of both employees and customer engagement.

Successful track record of launching new products

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

Analytics focus

– Blockchain Supply 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 Xin Wang, Xin Xu, Min Pan 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.






Weaknesses Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis

The weaknesses of Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity are -

Capital Spending Reduction

– Even during the low interest decade, Blockchain Supply 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.

High operating costs

– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain Supply 's lucrative customers.

Lack of clear differentiation of Blockchain Supply products

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

Ability to respond to the competition

– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity, in the dynamic environment Blockchain Supply has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Blockchain Supply has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.

Aligning sales with marketing

– It come across in the case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Blockchain Supply is planning to shift buying processes online.

Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy

– From the instances in the HBR case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity, it seems that the employees of Blockchain Supply 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 bargaining power of channel partners

– Because of the regulatory requirements, Xin Wang, Xin Xu, Min Pan suggests that, Blockchain Supply 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 to harness new channels of communication

– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Blockchain Supply is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.

No frontier risks strategy

– After analyzing the HBR case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity, 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.

Interest costs

– Compare to the competition, Blockchain Supply 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.

Low market penetration in new markets

– Outside its home market of Blockchain Supply, firm in the HBR case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.




Opportunities Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity | 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity are -

Redefining models of collaboration and team work

– As explained in the weaknesses section, Blockchain Supply is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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.

Low interest rates

– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Blockchain Supply 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.

Increase in government spending

– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Blockchain Supply can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Blockchain Supply operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Technology & Operations sector.

Creating value in data economy

– The success of analytics program of Blockchain Supply has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Blockchain Supply to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity case study. Blockchain Supply can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.

Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains

– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Blockchain Supply 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, Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.

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 Blockchain Supply 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.

Building a culture of innovation

– managers at Blockchain Supply 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.

Better consumer reach

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

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

Using analytics as competitive advantage

– Blockchain Supply 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Blockchain Supply to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.

Manufacturing automation

– Blockchain Supply 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.

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. Blockchain Supply 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. Blockchain Supply 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.

Learning at scale

– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Blockchain Supply 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.




Threats Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis


The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity are -

New competition

– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Blockchain Supply in the Technology & Operations sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.

Regulatory challenges

– Blockchain Supply 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.

Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution

– Blockchain Supply has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Technology & Operations industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Blockchain Supply 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.

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.

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. Blockchain Supply 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.

Barriers of entry lowering

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

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

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

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.

Consumer confidence and its impact on Blockchain Supply 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.

Environmental challenges

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

Learning curve for new practices

– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity, Blockchain Supply 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 .

Trade war between China and United States

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




Weighted SWOT Analysis of Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Integrity 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 Blockchain Supply needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.



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