Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Leadership & Managing People
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B)
The Global Health Initiative (GHI) is a tripartite collaboration among Northwestern University, non-profit donors, and commercial diagnostics companies. GHI attempts to bridge the gap between the market for sophisticated medical diagnostics equipment in wealthy nations and the need for point-of-care diagnostics in resource limited settings. In 2006 GHI narrowed its focus to HIV diagnostics for underserved nations. The case examines the accuracy-access tradeoff related to the roll-out of infant HIV diagnostics in Tanzania. Tanzania has a prevalent HIV/AIDS problem, particularly in children. As of 2007, Tanzania had an estimated 140,000 children infected with HIV. Existing lab-based diagnostic equipment was either inaccurate for use in infants or required highly skilled health workers. Tanzania's limited infrastructure also forced healthcare providers to choose between providing advanced care to a minority of the population and offering minimal care to the majority with poor access. A Kellogg MBA student research team performed more than thirty in-country interviews to collect data on stakeholder perceptions of three infant test concepts: the strip test, the squeeze test, and the filter paper test. Across the three tests, access decreased as accuracy increased-rural labs could not find or afford health workers skilled enough to conduct the test. In general, interviewees closely affiliated with the government preferred accuracy over access. In contrast, private health facilities had to follow fewer regulations and preferred access over accuracy. The case focuses on the decisions facing Kara Palamountain, the executive director of GHI, in her roll-out recommendations for infant HIV tests in Tanzania. It examines key factors of working in a developing country, including the need to operate in the absence of sufficient market research, balance the competing agendas of different stakeholders, and mitigate external risks such as major international funding drying up.
Authors :: Kara Palamountain, Sachin Waikar, Andrea Hanson, Katherine Nelson
Swot Analysis of "Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B)" written by Kara Palamountain, Sachin Waikar, Andrea Hanson, Katherine Nelson includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Diagnostics Hiv facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Emerging markets, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Product development, Technology and Leadership & Managing People.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) casestudy better are - – increasing commodity prices, increasing inequality as vast percentage of new income is going to the top 1%, competitive advantages are harder to sustain because of technology dispersion, increasing household debt because of falling income levels, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs, there is backlash against globalization, central banks are concerned over increasing inflation,
supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , geopolitical disruptions, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B)
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Diagnostics Hiv, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Diagnostics Hiv 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Diagnostics Hiv
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Leadership & Managing People field.
4. Making a Leadership & Managing People topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Diagnostics Hiv
Strengths Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Diagnostics Hiv in Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) Harvard Business Review case study are -
Digital Transformation in Leadership & Managing People segment
- digital transformation varies from industry to industry. For Diagnostics Hiv digital transformation journey comprises differing goals based on market maturity, customer technology acceptance, and organizational culture. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Diagnostics Hiv in the sector have low bargaining power. Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Diagnostics Hiv to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Organizational Resilience of Diagnostics Hiv
– The covid-19 pandemic has put organizational resilience at the centre of everthing that Diagnostics Hiv 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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.
Training and development
– Diagnostics Hiv has one of the best training and development program in the industry. The effectiveness of the training programs can be measured in Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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.
Ability to recruit top talent
– Diagnostics Hiv is one of the leading recruiters in the industry. Managers in the Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) are in a position to attract the best talent available. The firm has a robust talent identification program that helps in identifying the brightest.
Successful track record of launching new products
– Diagnostics Hiv has launched numerous new products in last few years, keeping in mind evolving customer preferences and competitive pressures. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Strong track record of project management
– Diagnostics Hiv is known for sticking to its project targets. This enables the firm to manage – time, project costs, and have sustainable margins on the projects.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Leadership & Managing People industry
– Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Diagnostics Hiv to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Diagnostics Hiv to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Ability to lead change in Leadership & Managing People field
– Diagnostics Hiv 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 Diagnostics Hiv in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Analytics focus
– Diagnostics Hiv 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 Kara Palamountain, Sachin Waikar, Andrea Hanson, Katherine Nelson 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) are -
Skills based hiring
– The stress on hiring functional specialists at Diagnostics Hiv 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.
No frontier risks strategy
– After analyzing the HBR case study Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B), it seems that company is thinking about the frontier risks that can impact Leadership & Managing People strategy. But it has very little resources allocation to manage the risks emerging from events such as natural disasters, climate change, melting of permafrost, tacking the rise of artificial intelligence, opportunities and threats emerging from commercialization of space etc.
High dependence on existing supply chain
– The disruption in the global supply chains because of the Covid-19 pandemic and blockage of the Suez Canal illustrated the fragile nature of Diagnostics Hiv supply chain. Even after few cautionary changes mentioned in the HBR case study - Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B), it is still heavily dependent upon the existing supply chain. The existing supply chain though brings in cost efficiencies but it has left Diagnostics Hiv vulnerable to further global disruptions in South East Asia.
Capital Spending Reduction
– Even during the low interest decade, Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) HBR case study mentions - Diagnostics Hiv 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 cash cycle compare to competitors
Diagnostics Hiv has a high cash cycle compare to other players in the industry. It needs to shorten the cash cycle by 12% to be more competitive in the marketplace, reduce inventory costs, and be more profitable.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Diagnostics Hiv 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. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Kara Palamountain, Sachin Waikar, Andrea Hanson, Katherine Nelson suggests that, Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Compensation and incentives
– The revenue per employee as mentioned in the HBR case study Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B), is just above the industry average. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Lack of clear differentiation of Diagnostics Hiv products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Diagnostics Hiv needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Low market penetration in new markets
– Outside its home market of Diagnostics Hiv, firm in the HBR case study Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) needs to spend more promotional, marketing, and advertising efforts to penetrate international markets.
Opportunities Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) | 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) are -
Leveraging digital technologies
– Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Finding new ways to collaborate
– Covid-19 has not only transformed business models of companies in Leadership & Managing People industry, but it has also influenced the consumer preferences. Diagnostics Hiv can tie-up with other value chain partners to explore new opportunities regarding meeting customer demands and building a rewarding and engaging relationship.
Loyalty marketing
– Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Diagnostics Hiv 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 Diagnostics Hiv to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Creating value in data economy
– The success of analytics program of Diagnostics Hiv has opened avenues for new revenue streams for the organization in the industry. This can help Diagnostics Hiv to build a more holistic ecosystem as suggested in the Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) case study. Diagnostics Hiv can build new products and services such as - data insight services, data privacy related products, data based consulting services, etc.
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Diagnostics Hiv is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Leadership & Managing People industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Diagnostics Hiv 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. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Harnessing reconfiguration of the global supply chains
– As the trade war between US and China heats up in the coming years, Diagnostics Hiv 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, Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B), to buy more products closer to the markets, and it can leverage its size and influence to get better deal from the local markets.
Developing new processes and practices
– Diagnostics Hiv can develop new processes and procedures in Leadership & Managing People 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.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Diagnostics Hiv can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Diagnostics Hiv operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Leadership & Managing People sector.
Manufacturing automation
– Diagnostics Hiv can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Leadership & Managing People 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 Diagnostics Hiv can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Threats Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) are -
Regulatory challenges
– Diagnostics Hiv 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 Leadership & Managing People 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 Diagnostics Hiv in the Leadership & Managing People sector and impact the bottomline of the organization.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Diagnostics Hiv 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) .
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Diagnostics Hiv in the Leadership & Managing People industry. The Leadership & Managing People 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.
Technology acceleration in Forth Industrial Revolution
– Diagnostics Hiv has witnessed rapid integration of technology during Covid-19 in the Leadership & Managing People industry. As one of the leading players in the industry, Diagnostics Hiv needs to keep up with the evolution of technology in the Leadership & Managing People 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.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B), Diagnostics Hiv may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Leadership & Managing People .
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 Diagnostics Hiv business can come under increasing regulations regarding data privacy, data security, etc.
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Leadership & Managing People field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Diagnostics Hiv can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
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 Diagnostics Hiv.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Diagnostics Hiv with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
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.
Environmental challenges
– Diagnostics Hiv 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. Diagnostics Hiv can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Leadership & Managing People 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. Diagnostics Hiv 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.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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 Balancing Access with Accuracy for Infant HIV Diagnostics in Tanzania (B) 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 Diagnostics Hiv needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.