PEST Analysis

 

 

Organizations are influenced and affected by what happens in the environments around them. The foundation of any good marketing plan begins by scanning these environments. The marketing environments we consider in this class are:

Political/Regulatory/Legal
Economic
Social
Technological
Competitive
scan the above PEST-C environments and discuss what issues are impacting the Office of Faculty Development of a college now, or may impact it in the future, both short-term and long-term.

Please no suggestions for strategy, but just to identify relevant issues in these areas. Also, don’t be afraid to venture outside of this specific “industry”, as you may find inspiration in other areas.

Some things to think about are: (1) What laws or policies have affected Faculty Development and might affect them in the future?

2. What are the elements of the economic landscape that are coming into play now, or what are they projected to be in the future?

3. How might that affect Faculty Development of a college?

4. What are elements of the social landscape, what are the implications for Faculty Development in a college, and how might that be changing?

5.How is technology used now? What changes in technology might impact Faculty Development in the future?

6. Who does, or may, Faculty Development compete with, directly or indirectly?

 

Sample Solution

PEST-C Analysis for Office of Faculty Development (OFD) in a College

Political/Regulatory/Legal:

  • Current issues:
    • Changes in accreditation standards that emphasize evidence-based teaching practices and student outcomes.
    • Government policies influencing higher education funding and access, impacting faculty workloads and development opportunities.
    • Legal concerns around intellectual property and online learning platforms used in faculty development.
  • Future potential:
    • Increased regulation related to online learning and data privacy, requiring adaptations in OFD offerings.
    • Policy shifts impacting diversity and inclusion initiatives within faculty development programs.
    • Changes in student privacy laws affecting how faculty development programs collect and use data.

Economic:

  • Current issues:
    • Budgetary constraints limiting resources for OFD programs, travel, and technology.
    • Competition for funding from research initiatives and other departments.
    • Student loan debt impacting faculty salaries and potentially influencing career choices.
  • Future potential:
    • Economic downturns affecting college budgets and further limiting OFD resources.
    • Rise of alternative education models (MOOCs, bootcamps) potentially competing with traditional faculty development programs.
    • Changes in job markets influencing faculty career development needs and priorities.

Social:

  • Current issues:
    • Increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, requiring OFD programs to address these issues.
    • Changing student demographics and learning styles demanding more adaptable and inclusive teaching approaches.
    • Growing emphasis on mental health and wellbeing of faculty, potentially leading to OFD programs on stress management and burnout prevention.
  • Future potential:
    • Social movements and policy changes impacting diversity and inclusion within faculty populations and development needs.
    • Evolving societal values regarding the role of higher education and the skills graduates need, influencing OFD program content.
    • Increased public scrutiny of college costs and faculty salaries, potentially impacting OFD resources and program justification.

Technological:

  • Current issues:
    • Rapidly evolving educational technologies requiring continuous adaptation of OFD programs and faculty support.
    • Integration of data analytics to track and measure the impact of faculty development initiatives.
    • Cybersecurity concerns related to online platforms and faculty development resources.
  • Future potential:
    • Emergence of artificial intelligence and virtual reality impacting teaching and learning, requiring OFD programs to prepare faculty.
    • Increased use of personalized learning technologies requiring faculty development in data-driven teaching approaches.
    • Accessibility challenges related to new technologies, ensuring inclusivity in OFD offerings.

Competitive:

  • Current issues:
    • Other universities offering attractive faculty development programs, potentially attracting talent away.
    • Online platforms and professional development organizations providing alternative learning opportunities.
    • Competition for faculty time and attention from research priorities and administrative duties.
  • Future potential:
    • Increased collaboration or competition with other institutions through online consortia or shared programs.
    • Rise of education-focused technology companies offering faculty development solutions.
    • Changes in faculty recruitment and retention strategies impacting the demand for specific OFD programs.

Remember, this is not an exhaustive list, and the specific issues and their impact will vary depending on the context of the college and OFD. However, by considering these PEST-C factors, OFD can anticipate future challenges and opportunities, allowing them to adapt their programs and services to remain relevant and impactful in a dynamic environment.

 

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