Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Global Business
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004
Provides basic economic and social indicators for 145 countries, drawn from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (2004). The data include: population, land area, GNP per capita, real GDP growth, life expectancy, adult illiteracy, fertility rate, access to sanitation, and income inequality. Reports data from 2000 whenever possible and is largely based on Basic Statistics from World Bank's World Development Report 2002 (9-703-030).
Authors :: David A. Moss, Peter Epstein, Sarah Brennan
Swot Analysis of "Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004" written by David A. Moss, Peter Epstein, Sarah Brennan includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Indicators World facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Economics, Economy, Government and Global Business.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 casestudy better are - – increasing government debt because of Covid-19 spendings, technology disruption, wage bills are increasing, increasing transportation and logistics costs, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , increasing energy prices, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google,
increasing commodity prices, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Indicators World, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Indicators World 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Indicators World
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 Indicators World
Strengths Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Indicators World in Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 Harvard Business Review case study are -
Ability to lead change in Global Business field
– Indicators World 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 Indicators World in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Digital Transformation in Global Business segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Indicators World digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Indicators World 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.
Analytics focus
– Indicators World 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 A. Moss, Peter Epstein, Sarah Brennan 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.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Indicators World in the sector have low bargaining power. Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Indicators World to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Indicators World has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Indicators World 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
– Indicators World is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Strong track record of project management
– Indicators World is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Indicators World 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
– Indicators World is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
High brand equity
– Indicators World has strong brand awareness and brand recognition among both - the exiting customers and potential new customers. Strong brand equity has enabled Indicators World 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
– Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Indicators World to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Global Business industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Indicators World to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Indicators World 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Weaknesses Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 are -
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Indicators World is planning to shift buying processes online.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, in the dynamic environment Indicators World has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Indicators World 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 Indicators World is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Global Business segment. Indicators World needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Indicators World to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Indicators World 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, is just above the industry average. Indicators World 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.
Products dominated business model
– Even though Indicators World has some of the most successful products in the industry, this business model has made each new product launch extremely critical for continuous financial growth of the organization. firm in the HBR case study - Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 should strive to include more intangible value offerings along with its core products and services.
High operating costs
– Compare to the competitors, firm in the HBR case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Indicators World 's lucrative customers.
Interest costs
– Compare to the competition, Indicators World 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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Global Business 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.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Indicators World, firm in the HBR case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
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 Indicators World supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Indicators World vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Opportunities Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 | 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 are -
Learning at scale
– Online learning technologies has now opened space for Indicators World 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Indicators World can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Indicators World operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Global Business sector.
Developing new processes and practices
– Indicators World 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Indicators World 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, Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Indicators World 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.
Loyalty marketing
– Indicators World 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.
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. Indicators World 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. Indicators World 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.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Global Business industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Indicators World can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
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 Indicators World in the consumer business. Now Indicators World can target international markets with far fewer capital restrictions requirements than the existing system.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Indicators World has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Indicators World to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 case study. Indicators World can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Indicators World 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Indicators World to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
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. Indicators World can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Manufacturing automation
– Indicators World 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.
Threats Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 are -
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Indicators World has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Global Business industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Indicators World 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.
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 Indicators World business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Regulatory challenges
– Indicators World 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 Global Business industry regulations.
New competition
– After the dotcom bust of 2001, financial crisis of 2008-09, the business formation in US economy had declined. But in 2020 alone, there are more than 1.5 million new business applications in United States. This can lead to greater competition for Indicators World in the Global Business sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
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 Indicators World.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004, Indicators World 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 .
Stagnating economy with rate increase
– Indicators World 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. Indicators World 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.
Environmental challenges
– Indicators World 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. Indicators World can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Global Business industry.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Indicators World high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.
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.
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. Indicators World needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Global Business industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Indicators World 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Basic Statistics from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, 2004 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 Indicators World needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
