HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII
Explores the management of technical disasters in which time plays a central role. Uses the experience of HMS Thetis and Apollo 13 to look at both successful and unsuccessful approaches.
Swot Analysis of "HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII" written by David M. Upton, Sari Carp includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Thetis Hms facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Design, IT, Operations management and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, there is backlash against globalization, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, geopolitical disruptions, technology disruption, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, customer relationship management is fast transforming because of increasing concerns over data privacy,
increasing transportation and logistics costs, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Thetis Hms, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Thetis Hms 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Thetis Hms
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 Thetis Hms
Strengths HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Thetis Hms in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII Harvard Business Review case study are -
Strong track record of project management
– Thetis Hms 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 Thetis Hms in the sector have low bargaining power. HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Thetis Hms to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Analytics focus
– Thetis Hms 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 David M. Upton, Sari Carp 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.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Thetis Hms 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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.
Innovation driven organization
– Thetis Hms is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Thetis Hms 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Learning organization
- Thetis Hms 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 Thetis Hms is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Thetis Hms is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Organizational Resilience of Thetis Hms
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Thetis Hms does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Thetis Hms to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Thetis Hms to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Thetis Hms has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Thetis Hms 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.
Weaknesses HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII are -
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 Thetis Hms supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Thetis Hms vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Thetis Hms is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, David M. Upton, Sari Carp suggests that, Thetis Hms 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.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Thetis Hms has created an environment where the organization is dominated by functional specialists rather than management generalist. This has resulted into product oriented approach rather than marketing oriented approach or consumers oriented approach.
Need for greater diversity
– Thetis Hms 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 Thetis Hms is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Thetis Hms needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Thetis Hms to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Thetis Hms is planning to shift buying processes online.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Thetis Hms 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII, it seems that the employees of Thetis Hms don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 Thetis Hms 's lucrative customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Thetis Hms 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. Thetis Hms 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.
Opportunities HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII | 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII are -
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Thetis Hms 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 Thetis Hms to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Thetis Hms has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Thetis Hms to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII case study. Thetis Hms can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, 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. Thetis Hms 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, Thetis Hms is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Thetis Hms 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, HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
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 Thetis Hms in the consumer business. Now Thetis Hms can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Thetis Hms to increase its market reach. Thetis Hms 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.
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. Thetis Hms can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Thetis Hms 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.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Thetis Hms 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
– Thetis Hms 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.
Manufacturing automation
– Thetis Hms 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.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Thetis Hms can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Threats HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII are -
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Thetis Hms is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Environmental challenges
– Thetis Hms 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. Thetis Hms can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Technology & Operations industry.
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. Thetis Hms 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.
Regulatory challenges
– Thetis Hms 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.
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 Thetis Hms.
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. Thetis Hms can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Increasing wage structure of Thetis Hms
– 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 Thetis Hms.
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 Thetis Hms business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Thetis Hms 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.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Thetis Hms with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Thetis Hms 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII .
Weighted SWOT Analysis of HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 HMS Thetis and Apollo XIII 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 Thetis Hms needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.