Developing Strategies to Enhance Vocational Inventors Using the SWOT Analysis and TOWS Matrix Methods

Abstract

This research aims to (1) analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), as well as external environmental factors influencing the development of vocational inventors with innovative competencies; and (2) formulate strategic approaches to enhance the capabilities of vocational inventors. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the study gathered data through focus group discussions with 10 key informants actively involved in and responsible for the mission of developing vocational inventors. The SWOT framework was employed to assess the internal and external factors impacting the NRCT’s efforts in this domain. Subsequently, a strategic brainstorming session with 8 experts—including corporate executives and innovation specialists—was conducted to generate strategic directions using the TOWS Matrix method. The analysis identified a comprehensive set of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that served as the foundation for the TOWS-based strategic formulation. As a result, four strategic alternatives comprising thirteen strategies were developed: (1) four SO (Strength–Opportunity) strategies, (2) three ST (Strength–Threat) strategies, (3) four WO (Weakness–Opportunity) strategies, and (4) two WT (Weakness–Threat) strategies. These strategies aim to systematically strengthen the capacity of vocational inventors, ensuring alignment with both institutional capabilities and external innovation demands.