artificial intelligence. Curtis. described Amazon as “a
new-age conglomerate,” highlighting how integrating
technology and digital infrastructure has reshaped
industries (Ballouza, 2023). Additionally, using
advanced robotics and machine learning in logistics
has allowed Amazon to optimize operations and
reduce costs, ensuring faster deliveries and improved
service quality. These innovations have enhanced
customer satisfaction and reinforced Amazon’s
competitive edge
In addition, Amazon is one of the most recognized
and trusted brands worldwide. Its prominence in
several markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and
Africa demonstrates its worldwide appeal and
flexibility. As de Morais Correia. noted, the
company’s launch in South Africa in 2024 represents
its ambition to tap into emerging markets and expand
its global footprint (Ballouza, 2023). The company’s
ability to localize its offerings while maintaining
consistent quality has been instrumental in winning
customer trust worldwide. Also, Amazon's ecosystem
concept is another pillar of its success. Amazon
provides a seamless customer experience by merging
e-commerce, cloud computing, digital content. , and
consumer electronics (Lima Aranzaes, 2021). Levy.
highlighted the complementarity of Amazon’s
business units, noting that they “reinforce each other
to drive synergistic growth (Ballouza, 2023). ” For
example, customers who subscribe to Prime for fast
shipping are more likely to find and utilize additional
services like Prime Video, creating a virtuous loop
that boosts Amazon's market dominance.
Lastly, Amazon's agility and resilience during
emergencies, like the COVID-19 epidemic,
exemplify its strengths. Akbari and Bigdeli. described
how Amazon used its infrastructure to handle the rise
in online buying during the pandemic, highlighting
the company's capacity to adapt to changing
consumer demands (Bernstein Black Book, 2013).
The company's robust supply chain and digital
infrastructure allowed it to efficiently increase
operations efficiently, confirming its reputation as a
dependable service provider.
3.2 Weaknesses
Despite its unprecedented success, Amazon has its
challenges. Labor practices, dependency on specific
markets, high operating costs, and workforce
management issues have revealed vulnerabilities in
company operations. While these flaws do not
weaken Amazon's overall supremacy, they offer
substantial challenges that the corporation must
overcome to sustain its competitive advantage. Labor
can also be one of Amazon's weaknesses. Amazon's
massive staff, which exceeds 1. 5 million people
worldwide, is both a strength and a liability. The
corporation has struggled to successfully manage
such a large staff base, especially during economic
turmoil. According to Content Engine LLC. ,
Amazon has laid off over 100,000 employees,
underscoring its problems in balancing labor size with
market demands (Levy, 2022). While necessary for
cost control, these layoffs have sparked outrage and
harmed employee morale. Such staff adjustments
highlight inherent inefficiencies in workforce
planning, raising concerns about Amazon's long-term
viability as a significant employer.
One of Amazon's most enduring flaws is its labor
practices. The corporation has been chastised for poor
working conditions, strict productivity objectives,
and opposition to unionization efforts. According to
Lima Aranzaes. , Amazon employees have taken
collective action to gain a more significant voice in
the workplace (Preuss, 2017). The pursuit of
unionization emphasizes the conflict between the
company's desire for operational efficiency and its
treatment of employees. Reports of excessive
turnover and employee unhappiness have harmed
Amazon's reputation, raising questions about the
company's capacity to maintain a stable and
motivated workforce. Addressing these concerns is
crucial, as ongoing dissatisfaction could result in
operational disruptions and legal difficulties.
Also, Amazon's revenue is primarily concentrated
in a few crucial markets, including the United States,
Europe, and certain regions of Asia. While its
development into new countries such as Africa is
promising, as de Morais Correia. stated, the
company's current reliance on mature markets renders
it subject to economic and regulatory swings in these
regions (Ballouza, 2023). For example, more
substantial e-commerce restrictions in the European
Union and more scrutiny of monopolistic tactics in
the United States pose dangers to its business. A
broader global diversification approach is required to
prevent overreliance and mitigate exposure to
specific risks.
Besides that, Amazon's customer-centric attitude,
which includes free two-day shipping and Prime
privileges, comes at a high financial cost. Allouza.
pointed out that balancing service excellence with
cost management remains challenging for the
company (Bernstein Black Book, 2013). Amazon’s
investments in logistics, cloud computing
infrastructure, and technology are capital-intensive,
contributing to thin profit margins in its retail
segment. While AWS provides a lot of income, e-