I recieved this today:
On 9/23/01 3:19 PM, Weihrich, Prof. wrote:
Someone in your Forum asked who developed the TOWS Matrix and how it relates to the SWOT analysis. While I was teaching Business Policy, I noted the limitation of the SWOT analysis because students did not take the next step in developing alternative strategies based on the internal strengths and weaknesses and the external opportunities and threats. Consequently, I developed the TOWS Matrix. The original article "The TOWS Matrix--A Tool for Situational Analysis" was published in LONG RANGE PLANNING, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1982, pp. 54-66. This model has been used for research and strategy formulation around the globe. In the meantime, I applied the concept to career strategy as well as for analyzing the competitive advantages of nations. More information can be found on my website shown below. I trust that I shed some light at the origin and further development of the TOWS Matrix concept.
Heinz Weihrich, Ph.D. (UCLA)
Dr. H.C San Martin University, Peru
Professor of Global Management and Behavioral Science
School of Business and Management
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1045, USA
Home Telephone and FAX. 925-930-6548,