Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Global Business
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility
This technical note highlights the most useful resources for gathering data on particular companies or industries, including information relevant to ethics, accountability, and responsibility.
Authors :: Jared Harris, Jenny Mead, Mike Lenox, Susan Norrissey
Swot Analysis of "Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility" written by Jared Harris, Jenny Mead, Mike Lenox, Susan Norrissey includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Ethics Responsibility facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Decision making, Ethics, IT, Market research and Global Business.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility casestudy better are - – central banks are concerned over increasing inflation, increasing commodity prices, increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, there is increasing trade war between United States & China, challanges to central banks by blockchain based private currencies, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs,
there is backlash against globalization, banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Ethics Responsibility, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Ethics Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Ethics Responsibility
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Global Business field.
4. Making a Global Business topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Ethics Responsibility
Strengths Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Ethics Responsibility in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Harvard Business Review case study are -
High brand equity
– Ethics Responsibility has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Ethics Responsibility to keep acquiring new customers and building profitable relationship with both the new and loyal customers.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Global Business industry
– Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Ethics Responsibility to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Global Business industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Ethics Responsibility to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Ethics Responsibility in the sector have low bargaining power. Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Ethics Responsibility to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
High switching costs
– The high switching costs that Ethics Responsibility 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.
Training and development
– Ethics Responsibility has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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
- Ethics Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Innovation driven organization
– Ethics Responsibility is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Ethics Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Organizational Resilience of Ethics Responsibility
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Ethics Responsibility does. Organizational resilience comprises - Financial Resilience, Operational Resilience, Technological Resilience, Organizational Resilience, Business Model Resilience, and Reputation Resilience.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Ethics Responsibility has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Ethics Responsibility 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Ethics Responsibility is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Ethics Responsibility in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Weaknesses Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility are -
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Ethics Responsibility 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. Ethics Responsibility 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.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Ethics Responsibility is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility HBR case study mentions - Ethics Responsibility 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.
High dependence on star products
– The top 2 products and services of the firm as mentioned in the Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility has relatively successful track record of launching new products.
Need for greater diversity
– Ethics Responsibility 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.
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 Ethics Responsibility supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Ethics Responsibility vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, is just above the industry average. Ethics Responsibility 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.
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, it seems that the employees of Ethics Responsibility 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.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Ethics Responsibility 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Ethics Responsibility, firm in the HBR case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Jared Harris, Jenny Mead, Mike Lenox, Susan Norrissey suggests that, Ethics Responsibility 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.
Opportunities Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility | 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility are -
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Ethics Responsibility can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Ethics Responsibility operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Global Business sector.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Global Business industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Ethics Responsibility 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. Ethics Responsibility 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.
Developing new processes and practices
– Ethics Responsibility can develop new processes and procedures in Global Business 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.
Buying journey improvements
– Ethics Responsibility can improve the customer journey of consumers in the industry by using analytics and artificial intelligence. Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Ethics Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility in the consumer business. Now Ethics Responsibility can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Loyalty marketing
– Ethics Responsibility 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
– Ethics Responsibility can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Global Business 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.
Better consumer reach
– The expansion of the 5G network will help Ethics Responsibility to increase its market reach. Ethics Responsibility 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.
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Ethics Responsibility 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.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Ethics Responsibility has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Ethics Responsibility to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility case study. Ethics Responsibility 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. Ethics Responsibility can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Threats Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility in the Global Business sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Ethics Responsibility has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Global Business industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Ethics Responsibility needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Global Business 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.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Ethics Responsibility in the Global Business industry. The Global Business 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.
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Ethics Responsibility 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.
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. Ethics Responsibility 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.
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. Ethics Responsibility needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Global Business industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Ethics Responsibility is facing in Global Business sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Ethics Responsibility 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.
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 Ethics Responsibility business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility, Ethics Responsibility may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Global Business .
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Ethics Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility .
Increasing wage structure of Ethics Responsibility
– 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 Ethics Responsibility.
Environmental challenges
– Ethics Responsibility 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. Ethics Responsibility can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Global Business industry.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Conducting Research in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility 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 Ethics Responsibility needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.