Brief environmental scan for the Penn State World Campus

  conduct a brief environmental scan for the Penn State World Campus   In 3-4 pages (not including references) You must include each of the marketing-environment factors of (PESTLE): • political forces • economic forces • social and cultural forces • technological forces • legal and regulatory forces • environmental forces • Your discussion of each environmental factor must include at least one quality source, properly cited using APA 7 in-text citations and a references list at the end. • Note: This does not need to be a formal essay. A paragraph for each force is acceptable. • Finally, in a paragraph or two, identify one specific opportunity and one specific threat based upon your findings in the environmental scan. For your information of PESTLE: PESTLE is an economic device that you can use to remember the six focus areas involved in an environmental scan: – political forces: Changes in political systems, political parties, political stability, policies, and legislation can all affect the political environment a company must operate within, including the future laws and regulations it must abide by. – economic forces: The relative health of the economy and various economic trends (consumer confidence, employment rates, the inflation rate, etc.) can significantly impact a company’s marketing strategy, particularly when it comes to pricing strategy. There are two sides to an economic forces analysis: macro and micro. A macroeconomic analysis looks at the big picture, examining the economy as a whole, while a microeconomic analysis is more focused, examining more local conditions. Consider, for example, a minor-league baseball team from a town where the local economy is suffering due to factory closure, despite significant growth on the macroeconomic scale. In this case, the macroeconomic factors are irrelevantthe team is reliant on only a very specific market. – social and cultural forces: As indicated in the Starbucks example in the lesson introduction, culture conduct a brief environmental scan (using PESTLE) of Penn State World Campus can play a significant role in how products and services are perceived in a particular market. Significant changes in demographics (such as the aging of a population) or the significant integration of different cultures due to immigration can materially affect the relevance of products and services. Consumer values throughout the world vary greatly, changing over time as new generational cohorts take over for older ones. – technological forces: Depending on the industry, technology can force rapid change upon a market. Companies that can anticipate these changes create distinct opportunities and competitive advantages, while the rest find them to be a significant threat. Consider the power of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, such as Sears, and how that power has waned due to the proliferation of online shopping. – legal and regulatory forces: Clearly, a company must operate within the ever-changing and sometimes confusing legal and regulatory environment. Legal and regulatory forces include employment laws, consumer-protection laws, environmental regulations, or even industry-specific regulations. – environmental forces: As climate change and pollution continue to impact the planet, governments and nonprofits seek to mitigate the damage. Companies will likely face new environmental regulations and consumer preferences that favor more environmentally friendly or sustainable brands.  

Sample Solution

Political Forces

The political environment in the United States is becoming increasingly polarized, which could have implications for Penn State World Campus. On the one hand, the Republican Party has traditionally been more supportive of traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities, while the Democratic Party has been more supportive of online education. However, there is a growing bipartisan consensus that online education can be a valuable option for students, and this could lead to increased funding for online programs.

In addition, the political environment could also affect the regulatory environment for online education. For example, the Trump administration has been considering rolling back regulations that protect students in online programs. If these regulations are rolled back, it could make it easier for online programs to operate, but it could also lead to lower quality education.

Economic Forces

The economic environment is also a factor that could affect Penn State World Campus. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a recession, which has led to job losses and financial hardship for many people. This could lead to an increase in demand for online education, as people seek to earn a degree without having to pay for tuition and housing.

However, the economic environment could also work against Penn State World Campus. If the economy improves, people may be more likely to return to traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities. In addition, the rising cost of college could make online education less affordable for some students.

Social and Cultural Forces

Social and cultural forces are also important to consider when conducting an environmental scan. The increasing diversity of the United States population is one social trend that could affect Penn State World Campus. As the population becomes more diverse, there will be a greater demand for online programs that are designed to meet the needs of different cultures and backgrounds.

In addition, the rise of social media is another social trend that could affect Penn State World Campus. Social media can be used to connect with students, promote the school's programs, and provide support to students. However, social media can also be used to spread misinformation about online education, so it is important for Penn State World Campus to be proactive in managing its online presence.

Technological Forces

Technological forces are also rapidly changing the landscape of education. The development of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, could have a major impact on online education. These technologies could be used to create more interactive and engaging learning experiences, which could make online education more appealing to students.

However, technological forces could also pose challenges for Penn State World Campus. For example, the increasing availability of free online courses could make it more difficult for Penn State World Campus to compete for students. In addition, the rise of MOOCs (massive open online courses) could fragment the online education market, making it more difficult for Penn State World Campus to reach a large audience.

Legal and Regulatory Forces

The legal and regulatory environment is also important to consider when conducting an environmental scan. The U.S. Department of Education has recently proposed new regulations for online education. These regulations could make it more difficult for Penn State World Campus to operate, but they could also help to ensure that students in online programs receive a quality education.

In addition, the accreditation process for online programs is also changing. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is in the process of developing new standards for online programs. These new standards could make it more difficult for Penn State World Campus to obtain accreditation, but they could also help to ensure that the school's online programs meet high quality standards.

Environmental Forces

Environmental forces are also important to consider, especially for an institution like Penn State World Campus that is committed to sustainability. The school has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, and this goal could have implications for its online programs. For example, the school may need to invest in more energy-efficient data centers to support its online programs.

In addition, the school may need to develop more sustainable practices for its online learning materials. For example, the school could use recycled paper and ink in its textbooks and other materials.

Conclusion

The environmental scan is a valuable tool for understanding the factors that could affect an organization. By conducting an environmental scan, Penn State World Campus can identify the opportunities and challenges that it faces, and it can develop strategies to address these challenges.

I hope this is helpful!

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