E-Commerce Chapter One

Review Question #1:

How might a university use SWOT analysis to identify new degree programs that it could offer online?

SWOT analysis is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A university could use this analysis to answer questions in order to determine rather or not it would be worth spending the time, effort, money, etc. that a new degree program would require. For example:

Strengths: Does the new degree program line-up with the institution’s current reputation? For example, OPSU is known for being a small community with reasonably priced tuition. Could a new degree program still fall within those guidelines? My objective opinion is that OPSU, while perfect for me, is limited on capabilities to accommodate for every degree possible. Therefore, in order to maintain the institutions current strengths of being local, reasonable priced, and having personable staff, one would want to make sure that a new degree program wouldn’t stray from what students are currently used to.

Weaknesses: My strength and weakness examples intertwine. Again, while OPSU is known for being little, and reasonably priced, a lack of new degree programs could also hurt enrollment eventually. OPSU has done well in offering programs that co-mingle well with job opportunities within the area. For example, it wouldn’t be feasible for OPSU to offer an Interior Design program. The surrounding area just isn’t an area with much need for someone in that field. Is it an excellent program? I’m sure. Can OPSU support a reason to offer that program? No.

Opportunities: Would a new degree program boost enrollment? Is this new program designed to help students receive job opportunities in an up and coming industry? Could an online program boost out of area enrollment as well? If the new program is sustainable to the area, this could be a huge opportunity for OPSU, especially if OPSU can offer the program at a more affordable cost.

Threats: Could this new program pose a...