Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Conducting a SWOT Analysis: Home

In this guide you will learn what a SWOT Analysis is, find a list of databases that provide information needed to conduct one, and additional online resources to help with this type of research project.

Who might be interested in this tutorial?

A SWOT analysis is a technique that students in various Dolan programs may be asked to undertake. In particular, SWOT analyses are conducted by students in management courses.

Ask a Librarian

Profile Photo
Research Librarians
chat loading...
Contact:
 Walk-In Hours
research@fairfield.edu
203.254.4000 ext. 2188 (call)
203.295.7542 (text)
Research Appointment
Library Tutorials

Library Research Prize

Proud of your research project? Want to win $1000? Apply for the Library Research Prize! An undergrad and graduate student (or team) will win. Click image to go to the info page.

What is a SWOT Analysis?

Conducting a SWOT Analysis is when you analyze a company or industry based on four criterion. They are as follows:   

A chart that shows the four critierion of a SWOT analysis

Strengths - Advantages and other characteristics that a business or company has other others in the industry.

Weaknesses - These are disadvantageous characteristics that the business or company must overcome.

Opportunities - External chances to increase sales, profits or achieve greater market share in a given environment.

Threats - Aspects of the external environment that may become problematic for the company or business.

Finding SWOT Analyses in Library Databases

We have two primary databases that provide access to SWOT Analyses. Business Insights: Essentials and Business Source Elite. Keep in mind that there will not be a SWOT Analysis available for every single company, so if you have an assignment where you need to conduct a SWOT Analysis you may want to select a company for which one is available.

The other databases found in this section provide information that can be used to create your own SWOT Analsysis. Information that may be found includes a list of top competitors, industry analyses, and company financials and reports.

SWOT Analysis Example

Below is an example from the University of Arizona Global Campus of a SWOT analysis for a small business that provides tutoring support, and who would like to expand the number of universities that they work with.

Strengths Weaknesses
  • Team consists of qualified professionals who are trained to provide effective feedback to students.
  • The team is small, with only 15 employees, which means they are close-knit and rely on each other when needed.
  • Only 2 employees have an advanced degree, which limits the opportunities to support students who may be pursuing a graduate degree.
  • Having a small team can at-times make workloads difficult to manage.
Opportunities Threats
  • Many university students need additional help with writing, yet many schools do not provide this specific support.
  • The increase in online programs allows our company to provide support outside of our small geographic area.
  • There are several tutoring companies that could expand to provide writing support.
  • Due to federal funding issues, universities may not be able to invest in this kind of support.

 

Further Reading & Online Resources