...Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Paradoxical Thinking in Organizations………………………………………………………........ 4 Apple Inc. and Paradoxical Thinking……………………………………………………………... 5 Learning Paradoxical Thinking…………………………………………………………………… 7 Paradoxical Thinking as a Skill of Intelligence…………………………………………………... 8 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………... 9 References……………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 Abstract Paradoxical thinking is looking at a problem from a different perspective and coming up with a solution. We live in an ever-changing, dynamic environment. In order for organizations to be successful, they must be willing to resolve conflict and contradiction using apparently opposite ideas and beliefs. It is vital for organizations to understand and embrace paradoxical thinking. This paper will further discuss what paradoxical thinking is, analyze how Apple Inc. has demonstrated paradoxical thinking, discuss whether paradoxical thinking can be learned, and finally review paradoxical thinking as it relates to the eight skills of intelligence. Paradoxical Thinking in Organizations Paradoxical thinking should be the cornerstone of all organizations. A paradox exists when two seemingly inconsistent or contradictory ideas are actually both true (Quinn, Faerman, Thompson, McGrath, & St. Clair, 2011). Paradoxical thinking involves, among other things, switching to the opposite of what is conventional (Ravi, n.d.). Many organizations do...
Words: 2142 - Pages: 9
...1. Introduction 1.1 Background of Apple Inc The corporate history of Apple Inc is considered as a history of passion (Schermerhorn 2010, p.438). It was begun by a pair of Stevens, i.e. Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs together with Ronald Wayne, who combined their professional skills to create Apple Computer [1]on 1st April 1976 with the release of the Apple I, the first Apple computer, in the same year. Since the establishment, Apple has been focusing on the consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers and the best-known products include Iphone, Ipad, Mac line of computers and other hardware and software products. And according one of the most recent brand study carried out by the global brands agency Millward Brown, Apple has overtaken Google as the world’s most valuable brand (Bbc.co.uk 2011). Figure 1 Steve Jobs and the most recent Iphone 4 in white Source: Yohe 2010 1.2 Industrial environment introduction As claimed by Hill and Jones (2008, p.100) that for the last 20 years, fast growth of the power of the computer has greatly attributed to the high extent of innovation and a turbulent environment in the personal computer industry. There are a number of players and potential entrants in the industry that drive up the competition and such fierce competition again is enhanced by the fast technological innovation resulting in the fact that no single company, no matter how large and power it is once, could maintain...
Words: 4212 - Pages: 17
...Business Analysis Part I L'Tanya M. Williams MGT/521 June 15, 2011 Dr. William Dickie Business Analysis Part I With the current state of the economy still struggling to regain momentum in the mist of record high unemployment rates, foreclosures, the ever rising cost of higher education, the skyrocketing oil and gas prices, the climate change and of course those situations that we have absolutely no control over, the natural disasters that have also impacted many of the economy’s turmoil. There is a very strong need for increased knowledge and more innovative measures of putting the state of the economy in a more favorable light. There are organizations that seek to find inventive ways of solving the issues that can be solve by man. Many corporations are looking for more efficient ways of preserving the environment, inventing planet friendly technology and creating a society of educated consumers. Apple computer Inc. is committed to being the leader in the computer industry. This essay will discuss the contributions that Apple has contributed of the past decade, such as how and why it continues to be the leading corporation among all of its want to be competitors. Apple Computer Inc Overview Apple computer Inc. was co-founded by CEO Steve Jobs and friend Steve Wozniak in 1996. Their original products were computers. Apple continues to manufacture computers and related software currently. It also develops and markets, portable digital music players, related accessories...
Words: 1345 - Pages: 6
...Responsibility and Marketing Strategies In todays society many corporations need the trust of the general public for their survival. Apple, Inc. which has been named #1 on the fortune top ten most admiral companies list has worked hard to gain that trust by producing quality products that appeal to diverse groups. According to Boone/Kurtz (2013), “an organization that wants to prosper over the long term is well advised to consider business ethics” (p.32). Business ethics can be defined as standards of conduct and moral values regarding right and wrong actions in the work environment (p. 32). Not only should a corporation consider business ethics, but it should also take social issues into account as well. Business ethics and social responsibility can work in conjunction to allow a corporation to thrive. These social responsibilities can include how a discussion will affect the work environment, employees, and its customers. Overview of Apple Apple, Inc. is a fortune 500 companies established in 1977 in California. Since 1977 Apple has designed, manufactured and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players. Apple also sells a variety of related software, services, accessories, networking solutions, and third party digital contents and applications. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, on April 1, 1976, to develop and sell personal computers. Apple’s Ethical and Social Responsibilities...
Words: 1467 - Pages: 6
...Apple Incorporated: The Definition of Success Business Policy October 31, 2011 Table of Contents Contents Company Overview 3 Business Model and Scope 3 Primary Strategy 3 Target Market 4 Apple, Inc. Background Investigation 4 Industry and Competitive Analysis 5 External and other pertinent market conditions 6 SWOT Analysis 6 Financial Analysis 7 Action Plan & Recommendations 7 Epilogue 8 Works Cited 9 . Company Overview What is the definition of success? Apple Inc. surpasses this criteria of being a dominate business that's close to perfection. With record high performances, this company proves it is a force to be reckoned with. Along with 300 retail stores worldwide, the company provides a solid product line to keep it thriving. Through their creativity and design, this company continues to prosper while meeting the definition of success head on. One advantage Apple has is its ability to focus on what the customers want. They show this by making unique products that are a "must have" for consumers everywhere. Their product line consists of manufacturing computer software, personal computers, and consumer electronics. Their most well-known products are Macintosh computers, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV. Their most popular software lines include Mac OSX operating system, iTunes, iLife, Aperture, iOS (Apple Inc.) Business Model and Scope Apple’s business model is to make the best products, be the first to introduce...
Words: 3259 - Pages: 14
...The Apple Corporation Bus431: Marketing Strategy CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I received in its preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas or words, either quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course. Student Signature: Cynthia M. Cantu Table of Contents Organizations Background…….……………………….……………………………………...4 Business Strategy………………………………………………………………………………4-5 Mission………………………………………………………………………………………….5 Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………...6 Competition…………………………………………………………………………………… 6-7 Apple’s Strengths……………………………………………………………………………... 7 Weaknesses Apple Faces……………………………………………………………………… 7-8 Opportunities for Apple………………………………………………………………………...8-9 Threats Apple Faces…………………………………………………………………………...9-10 Demand & Competitive Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .10 Labor & Staffing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Words: 3454 - Pages: 14
...Managing a Business Strategy - Apple Inc 1.0 Executive Summary This study is to examine and analyse the strategic decisions of Apple Inc. that has enabled it to sustain its competitive advantages one of the world’s third leading electronic company. Before providing recommendations for future strategy choices it is necessary to integrate the diverse strategies in both external and internal environments, identify the opportunities, threats, strength and weaknesses, examine the core competencies, which can create sustainable competitive advantages. The research will reveal critical analysis relevant to analyse the company’s environment in the electronic industry which includes SWOT, the PESTEL framework, Porter’s 5 forces and 3 generic theories, value chain analysis and core competencies, as to how it has successfully penetrated into the electronic market. 2.0 Introduction 3.1 Background of Apple Apple is a Californian multinational corporation founded in 1stApril 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, to develop and sell personal computers. It was incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. on January 3, 1977, and was renamed as Apple Inc. on January 9, 2007, to show its change in focus towards consumer electronics. Apple is the world's second-largest information technology company by revenue after Samsung Electronics, and the world's third-largest mobile phone maker. On November 25, 2014, in addition to being the largest publicly traded corporation in...
Words: 7341 - Pages: 30
...people decide to become entrepreneurs. According to Bateman and Snell, 2013 “…an entrepreneur is an enterprising individual who pursues a lucrative opportunity.” Entrepreneurs increase job development and decrease unemployment amounts that affect the economic growth. With all the benefits of entrepreneurship, state agencies strive to promote the awareness of resources available to build a better economic system while distinguishing an enterprise from a small business. Sometimes there is confusion between the meaning of entrepreneur and small business owner. Entrepreneurs are managers just as small business owners, but in a less formal aspect and without a hierarchy of management levels (Bateman and Snell, 2013). Entrepreneurs make an effort for growth and high profitability as their principal objective, whereas small businesses expect regular to reasonable sales and fixed growth (Bateman and Snell, 2013). It is important to know the difference between the two when deciding the types of profits and sustainability one would like for the business practice. Entrepreneurs take risk as a part of their business unlike small business owners (Marks, 2012). Entrepreneurs are always in search of the next best thing to invest in, and small businesses find a product or service to profit off. Entrepreneurs can go months or years with no revenue in search of the next innovation to a...
Words: 2089 - Pages: 9
...MARKETING STRATEGY AND ANALYSIS OF APPL COMPANY IN IPhones Vision and Mission Statement Apple, Inc.’s Vision Apple, Inc.’s vision is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings Apple's Mission Statement Apple Computer is committed to protecting the environment, health and safety of our employees, customers and the global communities where we operate. We recognize that by integrating sound environmental, health and safety management practices into all aspects of our business, we can offer technologically innovative products and services while conserving and enhancing recourses for future generations. Apple strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services. Various Management Objectives at many different Levels Apple, Inc.’s Business Strategy and Goals The Company’s business strategy leverages its unique ability to design and develop its own operating systems, hardware, application software, and services to provide its customers new products and solutions with superior ease-of-use, seamless integration, and innovative design. The company believes continual investment in research and development and marketing and advertising is critical to the development and sale of innovative products...
Words: 13655 - Pages: 55
...A BRIEF COMPUTER HISTORY The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on. Generally speaking, computers can be classified into three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time,and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer. First generation: 1937 – 1946 - In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built. It is said that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for processing. When this computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadelphia. Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had no operating system. Second generation: 1947 – 1962 - This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International Business Machine (IBM)...
Words: 7002 - Pages: 29
...Strategic Management Patricia Murtagh The University of Sunderland © 2014 The University of Sunderland First published January 2014, revised February 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the copyright owner. While every effort has been made to ensure that references to websites are correct at time of going to press, the world wide web is a constantly changing environment and the University of Sunderland cannot accept any responsibility for any changes to addresses. The University of Sunderland acknowledges product, service and company names referred to in this publication, many of which are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks. All materials internally quality assessed by the University of Sunderland and reviewed by academics external to the University. Instructional design and publishing project management by Wordhouse Ltd, Reading, UK Copyright © 2014 University of Sunderland ii Contents vi Introduction Unit 1 1 2 5 7 Concepts, models and theories 20 Introduction 2.1 A comparison of concepts, models and theories relating to competitive advantage 2.2 An evaluation of concepts, models and theories relating to strategic choice Case Study: Ciba Vision 2.3 Concepts, models and theories relating to strategic evaluation Case Study: The University of Exeter...
Words: 89385 - Pages: 358
...reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN: 978-0-07-177863-3 MHID: 0-07-177863-2 The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-0-07177862-6, MHID: 0-07-177862-4. All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. To contact a representative please e-mail us at bulksales@mcgraw-hill.com. TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“McGraw-Hill”) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill’s prior consent. You may use the work for your own noncommercial and personal use;...
Words: 87486 - Pages: 350
... John Wiley & Sons, Inc. To Frederic C. Hamilton and John H. Muller, Jr., pioneers, entrepreneurs, and benefactors of Babson College. VICE PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER PHOTO EDITOR DESIGNER PRODUCTION MANAGER SENIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR GEORGE HOFFMAN LISE JOHNSON SARAH VERNON KAROLINA ZARYCHTA HILARY NEWMAN RDC PUBLISHING GROUP SDN BHD JANIS SOO JOYCE POH Cover image © panorios/iStockphoto This book was set in 10.5/12pt Adobe Garamond by Laserwords Private Limited and printed and bound by RR Donnelley. The cover was printed by RR Donnelley. This book is printed on acid free paper. Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of knowledge and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Our company is built on a foundation of principles that include responsibility to the communities we serve and where we live and work. In 2008, we launched a Corporate Citizenship Initiative, a global effort to address the environmental, social, economic, and ethical challenges we face in our business. Among the issues we are addressing are carbon impact, paper specifications and procurement, ethical conduct within our business and among our vendors, and community and charitable support. For more information, please visit our website: www.wiley.com/go/citizenship. Copyright © 2011, 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved...
Words: 60876 - Pages: 244
...Operations Supervisor: Arnold Vila Operations Specialist: Cathleen Petersen Creative Director: Blair Brown Senior Art Director: Kenny Beck Text Designer: LCI Design Cover Designer: LCI Design Cover Art: Svetoslav Iliev/Shutterstock.com Permission Specialist: Brooks Hill-Whilton Media Project Manager, Production: Lisa Rinaldi Senior Media Project Manager, Editorial: Denise Vaughn Full-Service Project Management and Composition: Integra Printer/Binder: RRD/Willard Cover Printer: Lehigh-Phoenix Color Text Font: 10/12, Times LT Std Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on appropriate page within text. Copyright © 2013, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or likewise. To obtain permission(s) to use material from this work, please...
Words: 154599 - Pages: 619
...includes author-developed case exercises for all 12 cases in this edition that require students to work through answers to assignment questions for each case. These exercises have multiple components and can include: calculating assorted financial ratios to assess a company’s financial performance and balance sheet strength, identifying a company’s strategy, doing five-forces and driving-forces analysis, doing a SWOT analysis, and recommending actions to improve company performance. The content of these case exercises is tailored to match the circumstances presented in each case, calling upon students to do whatever strategic thinking and strategic analysis is called for to arrive at a pragmatic, analysis-based action recommendation for improving company performance. eBook Connect Plus includes a media-rich eBook that allows you to share your notes with your students. Your students can insert and review their own notes, highlight the text, search for specific information, and interact with media resources. Using an eBook with Connect Plus gives your students a complete digital solution that allows them to access their materials from any computer. Tegrity Make your classes available anytime, anywhere. With simple, one-click recording, students can search for a word or phrase and be taken to the exact place in your lecture that they need to review. EASY TO USE Learning Management System Integration McGraw-Hill Campus is a...
Words: 219639 - Pages: 879
