...Professor: Date: Table of Contents Abstract 2 Apple Products 2 Apple’s current position on the company’s ethical and social responsibilities 3 Impact of publication of ethics and social responsibilities violations made by Apple’s suppliers on Apple’s reputation 5 Methods that Apple can utilize to ensure that its suppliers adhere to wage and benefits standards going forward 6 Apple’s customers willingness to pay more for its products if Apple were to increase the selling prices in order to provide better wages and benefits for suppliers’ workers 7 Analysis of Apple’s current overall marketing strategy and actions that Apple can take in order to improve its competitive advantage in the global marketplace 8 Conclusion 9 References: 10 Apple’s Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Abstract In the business world, the ultimate mission is not only to make good returns alone. A company that directs all its efforts in profit making alone is destined to untimely failure. This is because it will find itself on the wrong side with the government, stakeholders and the public as a whole. For this reason, any company that aspires to exist beyond its current boundaries must focus on its ethical and social responsibilities to company’s employees, consumers, shareholders and the public fraternity. Such corporate social practices brand a company positively as a good job provider, investor and provider of products and services. Apple Inc. has for the last few years appeared in the...
Words: 2390 - Pages: 10
...1. What are the chief elements of Apple’s overall competitive strategy? How well do the pieces fit together? Is the strategy evolving? Apple Corporation, Capital requirement degree of completion, Brand identifies the product price; demand, and the apple users. Supplier power, Barriers, Rivalry, Treat of Substitutes, and Buyer Power represents Apple’s overall competitive strategy. Music, Internet, and Computer is an n innovation for long term development, technological improvement with a unique design, it transcended the barriers of computer industry to cross many aspects of industries such as itunes, ipod, and iphone. It’s evolving due to a loyal customer base and ambitious leadership. 2. What are the key elements of Apple’s strategy in computers, personal media players, and smartphones? Have its strategies in its core businesses yielded success? Explain. Product diversification and innovation for long term development (music, internet, computer). Integration of software and hardware, technological improvement with a unique design, and transcended the barriers of computer industry to cross many aspect of industries (itunes, ipod, and iphone). 3. What does a competitive strength assessment reveal about Apple’s computer business, as compared to the leaders in the personal computer industry? Use the methodology in Table 4.2 to support your answer. Does it appear that the company’s competitive positions in personal media players and smartphones or stronger or weaker than...
Words: 1589 - Pages: 7
...STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT REPORT OF APPLE, INC. Strategic management report of Apple, Inc. Xu Ruiqing FTDipFM10 Kaplan Higher Education Academic February 6th 2013 Table of Contents Running head: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT REPORT OF APPLE, INC. 1 Table of Contents 2 1. Introduction 3 2. SWOT 4 2.1 Strengths 4 2.2 Weakness 4 2.3 Opportunities 4 2.4 Threats 5 3. External analysis (general environment) 5 3.1 Politics/legal 5 3.2 Economic conditions 5 3.3 Social forces 6 3.4 Technological factors 7 3.5 Environmental factors 8 4. External analysis (competitive environment) 8 4.1 Intensity of rivalry among competitors 8 4.2 The threat of new entrants 8 4.3 The threat of substitutes 9 4.4 Suppliers 9 4.5 Customers 10 5. Internal environment analysis 10 5.1 Resource types 10 5.2 Firms capabilities 11 6. Conclusion 11 7. Recommendations 12 Reference 13 1. Introduction Apple incorporated was first established as a computer company by Steve Jobs in 1976, but in 2001, Apple broke the barrier with iPod, eventually becoming the dominant market leader in music players. In following, Apple joined the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone, which has gained a huge success and been developed to the 6th generation today. Nowadays, Apple has developed several of products such as Apple TV, MacBook, iTunes, etc. However, after Steve Jobs, the ex-CEO of Apple, passed away, the stock price of Apple once made new lows. The incumbent...
Words: 2156 - Pages: 9
...Apple Inc.’s Security Risks and Protections Provided to Their Customer’s Privacy Apple Inc.’s Security Risks and Protections Provided to Their Customer’s Privacy Apple Inc. is one of the leading innovators in today’s technology market. They have 424 stores across the globe, with 255 of those store being in the United States. Apple is expanding globally, as they announced plans to triple the number of stores in China within the next two years (Cheng, 2014). With Apple’s most popular products being the iPhone, iPad, and personal computers, one of Apple’s major concerns is the adequate protection of their customer’s private information. With major security breaches at large companies such as Target and Home Depot that have occurred within the last year, many companies are trying to strengthen their security measures to make sure they are not vulnerable to a security breach. In the last couple of years Apple Inc. has worked hard to provide the best possible protection to their customers, as they are continuously working to keep their security at a high level. Discussion Apple is not a stranger to security threats and infectious malware. Apple’s first major malware infection occurred just two years ago, in 2012, when over 600,000 Macs were infected with the Flashback botnet trojan malware. Flashback is a type of malware that targets flaws in Java. About half of the computers that were infected were in the United States, while there was also a large number in Canada, the United...
Words: 1230 - Pages: 5
...Apple, Market Model Patterns of Change Apple possesses great control over its market a move that has even left the regulators question its activities. This is as a result of its well defined market niche allowing it to be able to plan on its market actions. Statistics shows it having about 73 percent control of the MP3 software market. On online track sales it is seen to have about 83percent through the iTunes. The leading being the 99.4 percent on mobile applications and 99 percent of TV show downloads. The iPad’s allocation on the tablet computer market is about 94 percent. The iTunes Store applications that allow for song streaming service and download has had tremendous impact in the market. The company termed the move to have a 30 percent cut of the 20 percent from the iTunes sales as economically untenable. This has seen the company seek collaboration with other market players to determine the appropriate legal and business response to the authority action. The company has stabilized since the 1980s and 1990s market hopers during Mac-vs.-Windows wars. The company now enjoys large market share in the iTunes/iOS market niche than Microsoft. Apple enjoys enormous control over the hardware, operation systems, online stores and the third parties terms of business. The company defines the market to comprise of all digital and print media where it ensures that the customers’ needs are well taken care of to their satisfaction. Apple to retain its uniqueness has ensured that its...
Words: 1092 - Pages: 5
...| 2010 | | | [APPLE INCORPORATED] | Apple is discussed based on the the history of the company, its products, the company’s profitability and criticisms and challenges the company has encountered . | Technology is the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, and crafts, or is systems or methods of organization. The word technology comes from the Greek technología. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include “construction technology”, “medical technology”, or “state-of-the-art technology”. In this research paper, Apple Inc will be discussed, based on the history of the company, its products, the company’s profitability and criticisms and challenges the company faces. What is Apple Incorporated? Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. Established on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, and incorporated January 3, 1977, the company was called Apple Computer, Inc. for its first 30 years, but on January 9, 2007 the company removed the word “Computer” in order to reflect the company’s ongoing expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers. Apple’s best known hardware products include Macintosh...
Words: 4538 - Pages: 19
...Apple Inc. Written by John Smith August 2011 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Company History 4 Current Financial Health 5 Stock Performance 7 Bonds 11 Conclusions 12 Works Cited 13 APPENDIX I: APPLE’S SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 15 APPENDIX II: APPLE’S CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 16 Abstract Apple Inc. (Apple) is an American corporation that specializes in consumer electronics and software. Founded in 1976, it is difficult not to see their products anywhere in the world; they have revolutionized customer purchasing with chic products, outstanding customer service and phenomenal marketing. In August 2011, Apple surpassed Exxon Mobile as the largest company in the U.S. As a leader in its industry, Apple has had many successes that present excellent investment opportunities in the short, medium and long term. While impossible to predict future pop culture and trends, Apple has been leading the way for the past decade and shows no immediate signs of slowing down. Keywords: Apple, electronics, financial analysis, stocks Company History Founded in Cupertino, CA in 1976, and incorporated in 1977, Apple has a storied history in the computer industry. Though founded by three entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs stands out as the most famous and currently asks as CEO. In the first fours years, Apple’s goal was to break into the personal computer market; though successful, it was difficult to compete with nationally known brands as a start up...
Words: 2792 - Pages: 12
...Copenhagen Business College By group 2. International Business Department 09 IM Hand-in date: October 17th 2011 Team members: Wang Lehuan , Apple Inc. Fei Xuan , Liu Danfei , Jiang Yongming , Zhang Hao , Li Changhua Counselor: Sun Na Synopsis The paper is about Apple Inc. which is a famous IT company in the world. It's main business is to offer different kinds of high information technology electronic products. Through the internal and external analysis by using SWOT, STP, 4Ps, PEST models for Apple Inc., some problems are indentified. Firstly, in the analysis of internal environment, the paper tells that Apple's products are high quality and attractive. Apple is the world's most successful and healthy IT brands. It holds the leadership in electronic industry. Apple lead the production design in high technology. Most employees in the company are creative and pay attention to innovation. It prefers to build up good relationship with customers so that to attract them to buy their products again. But Apple don't have a wide distribution channels and its market is limited which only focus on middle and high income people who are pursuing modern, vogue and innovation, most of them are in developed countries. And their suppliers pollution issues are exposed in 2011 which is harmful to Apple's brand image. Apple products are hardly compatible with other companies' electronic products. Secondly, in the analysis of external environment, the paper tells that it is a big opportunity...
Words: 5223 - Pages: 21
...period (Attachment 3). From 2009, new sub-products, such as mini netbooks and Ultrabooks, brought PC industry’s profitability back a little bit. Overall, the net profit margin of PC industry is very low, about 5% nowadays. An exception of the low profitability in PC industry is Apple Inc. The gross margin of Apple increased gently from early 1990s to early 2000s, and increased dramatically since 2006 (Attachment 3). From 1999 to 2011, the gross margin of Apple was around 40%, which is twice that of HP and Dell. According to our data in Attachment 1, products’ contribution to the total revenue in Apple has changed radically (Attachment 2). In 2004, revenue from Macintosh accounted for around 60% of the total revenue of apple, while in 2012, the contribution narrowed to 20%. On the other hand, the sales revenue from iPhone and iPad became the main contributors of Apple’s total revenue. We conclude that the booming market of the innovative products, iPhones and iPads lead to Apple’s high profitability from these data. Attachment 1 Attachment 2 [pic] Attachment 3 Gross Margins (%) |1997 |2000 |2003 |2006 |2008 |2009 |2010 |2011 | |Apple |21% |27% |29% |29% |35% |40% |39% |41% | |Dell |23% |23% |21% |19% |17% |18% |19% |22% | |HP |38% |31% |29% |24% |24% |24% |23% |23% | |...
Words: 285 - Pages: 2
...Business Analysis of Apple Inc. Kellye Wright MGMT 521 August 8, 2011 Robert Price Apple was created in 1977 in California. They design, manufacture, and market personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, and sell a range of related software, services, peripherals, networking applications, and third-party digital content and applications. Beginning with apple computers it was predominantly a manufacturer of personal computers, including the Apple II, Macintosh and Power Mac lines. The amount of technology that this company has produced over the years allows them to maintain an up to date status. (Apollolibrary.com) Apple In addition sells a range of third-party Macintosh, iPhone, iPad and iPod compatible products including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and supplies through its online and retail stores. Today, Apple is the largest technology firm in the world, with annual revenues of more than $60 billion. SWOT When deciding whether or not to invest into mutual funds of Apple Inc. You have to figure out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities this company has to offer and the threats you could face if you decide to invest. Strengths This company has been extremely successful over the years. Shortening the name of the Macintosh computers to Mac’s and the IPod music player has increased its quarter profits; this Business...
Words: 5628 - Pages: 23
...CSR Activities in Electronic Industry Table of Contents Executive Summary……………………………………...………2 1. Introduction……………………………………………………2 2. CSR activities of Sony, Dell and Apple……………………….3 1. Employees………………………………………...…...……4 2. Environment ………………………………………………..5 3. Consumers…………………………………………………..6 3. Evaluation on CSR activities………………………………….6 3.1 Employees………………………………………………...6 3.2 Environment……………………………………...………7 3.3 Consumers ……………………………………………….8 4. Conclusion…………………………………………………….8 References…………………………………………………………….9 Executive Summary Recent years, encouraged by cultural and economic globalization, the world market is growing rapidly. With the market becoming increasingly mature and rational, corporations not only pay attention to profit and business opportunities, but also the obligation and responsibility to employees, environment and customers. Therefore, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become more and more popular among enterprises and markets. Thus, it is important to study the way CSR initiative depicts what corporations have to do in order to shoulder the responsibility for their employees, environment as well as consumers and CSR’s influence on various economic behaviors. This report analyses the CSR activities of Sony, Dell and Apple which are three electronic corporations. Specifically, it focuses on the effect on their employees, environment and consumers. The first part will mainly introduce their CSR initiatives and...
Words: 2092 - Pages: 9
...[pic] EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Apple, Inc. was founded in 1976 by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs as a technology company specializing in personal computers. In December of 1980, Apple became a publicly traded company and in 1982 became the first personal computer company to attain $1 billion in annual sales. In 1985 after the launch of the Macintosh, Steve Jobs was forced out of the company. He later returned in 1997 to rescue Apple from its stagnant and unimpressive performance of the early 1990s. Jobs’ vision for Apple began to take shape in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, which returned the company to profitable status by the end of the decade. In the 2000s Apple unleashed a volley of game changing products, starting with the iPod and continued with the iPhone and iPad. These innovations solidified Apple’s status as the world’s foremost technology company and cultural icon. Apple’s horizontal and vertical integration between all of its devices, software, hardware, and operating system give it a unique competitive advantage in the fast changing world of technology. Steve Jobs stepped down from Apple in August 2011 while he was battling cancer. He passed away in October of the same year. Apple thrived under his leadership and his death left a void that is not easily reconciled. Jobs was a visionary leader who brought Apple back from stagnation and built it into the world’s most valuable company. Although Apple has had some missteps without Jobs at the helm...
Words: 4450 - Pages: 18
...Apple Computer Company History Apple Computer is one of the pioneers of the technology industry. Headquartered in Cupertino, CA, with development facilities and retail locations worldwide, Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL, LSE: 0HDZ, FWB: APC), formerly Apple Computer Inc., is an American multinational corporation with a focus on designing and manufacturing consumer electronics and closely related software products. Established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976, Apple develops, sells, and supports a series of personal computers, portable media players, mobile phones, computer software, and computer hardware and hardware accessories. As of September 2007, the company operates about 200 retail stores in five countries and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. The iTunes Store provides music, audio-books, iPod games, music videos, episodes of television programs, and movies which can be downloaded using iTunes on Mac or Windows, and also on the iPod touch and the i-Phone. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of personal computers, the iPod line of portable media players, and the i-Phone. Apple's software products include the Mac OS X operating system, the i-Life suite of multimedia and creativity software, and Final Cut Studio, a suite of professional audio- and film-industry software products. The company, incorporated January 3, 1977, was known as "Apple Computer...
Words: 1124 - Pages: 5
...Apple Financial Performance General Notes: This financial analysis for Apple Inc was carried out for the year 2007. The first section of the Financial Analysis will detail my preconceived notions of Apple (without the facts in hand). The second part of the Financial Analysis will review Apple's stock performance, various financial ratios, competitors, market segment. Interest coverage ratios, dividend yield ratios, and dividend payout will be discussed as well. The financial analysis will conclude with my opinion of Apple's future prospects, its stocks, and whether it is creating value to its shareholders. Apple General Information On January 3, 1977, Apple was officially incorporated in California. Apple's stock is traded under sticker Symbol "AAPL" in NASDAQ stock exchange, and in Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Apples' shares trade under the symbol "APCD". Apple became a public company in 1980, and in its Initial Public Offering (IPOD), Apple's shares were offered for $22.50. On a split-adjusted basis, Apple's Initial Public Offering stock price was $2.75. Apple has no preferred stock outstanding. Apple, Inc. Dividend Policy Apple doesn't pay its stockholders any dividends. In fact, the last time Apple paid dividends was in December of 1995. Apple paid dividends from 15 June 1987 to 1995. As Apple does not have an active dividend policy, Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP) is also not available to investors. Cash dividends that Apple did pay, ranged from .06$...
Words: 1640 - Pages: 7
...Apple Inc. Unit 1 Case Study Professor Andrew Klein GM520 Strategic Human Resource Management February 5, 2013 Introduction Within the corporate world changes occur everyday companies are lost as well as gained, and in April 1976 another company began, a new and incentive change that basically transformed the world of computers. Two young men, whom had dropped out of college, created the new company. They were in their early 20’s, and like most young people were undecided what to do. They did have a passion and that passion was computers. Both men complimented the other with their skills, Steve Jobs had a vision on how he could see things as well as what he wanted to do, and Steve Wozniak was the brains and technical mastermind behind the plan. They built a circuit board for a computer in Steve Jobs garage and before they knew it Apple 1 was created. Their business became a small success and before they realized it they had roughly 200 sales in computers. Now that the business was becoming stronger and busier they needed to have help, and that help came from a man name Mike Markkula Jr. Mr. Markkula was also a young businessman whom had retired at the age of 33 from Intel (Apple Inc., p. 2). In 1978 Steve Jobs wanted to put a computer on the market that would be easy for all to use and that goal was accomplished with the Apple ll. With the company transforming as it did in such a fast and short period...
Words: 1938 - Pages: 8
