...Abstract The decisions that businesses make to adjust “pricing, output, expansion, advertising, marginal revenue, and profit conditions of every other firm in the market”. (Thomas, Maurice 2010, p. 561). An oligopoly is described in the book as a “few relatively large firms, each with a substantial share of the market and all recognize their interdependence.” (Thomas, Maurice 2010, p. 512). Meaning, direct competitors understand their internal decisions will affect not only their profits and placement in the market, but also greatly their competitors. Price cutting or expensive advertisement plans will affect the firm’s profit margins, but also with strategically place the competing firm in a position to react. Even in small towns or multiple businesses in the same industries from restaurants to retail, need to be aware of how their decisions affect their own business, but also their market. Decisions should be systematically made and will economically affect a business along with the anticipation of competitor’s reaction to their precise move. Oligopolies are everywhere and can be detected from wheat that is managed by large agriculture groups to cell phone companies. Oligopolies How do firms in the industry compete? Managers within interdependent industries make decisions that will affect not only their firm, but they must consider the reaction to their competitor as well. Without this consideration, the rival’s reaction will certainly affect his or her...
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...well as trade secrets. Some people believe that providing protect creates a monopoly and want to shorten the term, in which a product is protective. The law benefits the creator and the consumer; it does create a monopoly but only for a short time in order for the creator to profit. Once the term of protection expires the consumer can then take the product and make improvements and even buy it cheaper. Without protection people would choose not to share their creation or invention, which would cause poor economy growth. Due to the laws of protection for IP, many lawsuits are filed each day. These types of lawsuits could last for years. A lawsuit that has lasted for a few years is Apple Inc. vs. Samsung; the lawsuit between the two electronic companies began in April 2011. Apple Inc. filled 12 claims of infringement against Samsung; the infringements are between the two product Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy. The goal for Apple Inc. is the make Samsung pay for the infringement in the past as well as stops them from infringing anymore in the future (Patel, 2011). A few days later Samsung fires back at Apple Inc. with an infringement lawsuit themselves,...
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...Apple’s Make-vs.-Buy Decision HRM 500 HR Management Foundations Apple’s Make-vs.-Buy Decision Recruitment Approaches for Apple Apple would be best served with sourcing recruitment efforts from private employment agencies for their top technology or engineering positions. Considering the secrecy that surrounds Apple products, head hunters would be able to source out potential right fit candidates for Apple’s top positions. For their more entry level tiers, recruitment efforts at Colleges and Universities would be an effective and affordable approach. Apple also will have its fair share of direct applicants, considering the fact that it is very trendy and appeals to all consumers. As stated in the NY times, it has “cast a spell” on consumers and investors. When visiting Apple’s website for careers, the page is appealing and full of promise for not just any job, but a career. Apple is a company that is going to always stay on the frontier of new ideas. In order to do this, it is important to stay fresh with new perspectives and ideas. With this being the case, Apple would want to not only source their talent from internal sources such as referrals or all internal promotions. It is important to show growth and have succession planning in any company, but it should not be the sole source of growth as it might limit new ideas and innovations from coming to the table from outside experiences. Recruiter traits and behaviors...
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...Xavier Serrano Apple’s Make-vs. -Buy Decision Strayer University HRM500011VA016-1122-001: HR Management Foundations Dr. James Ziegler January 25, 2012 Apple’s Make-vs.-Buy Decision Apple has been doing an excellent job recruiting new talent. Apple is very smart and innovative because they acquire talents in a fast manner by buying entire companies in which, subsequently, those companies became part of the organization. Apple ensures that their recruiters cover every level of experience by hiring individuals that worked for companies that make similar products, thereby bringing experience as an asset to the company. In addition, Apple hired new engineers less experienced in the field, but given every opportunity for development and advancement in the company. Apple has been capturing an extensive area of the job market with their different recruiting strategies. Along with its success in recruiting of new hires, innovation and thorough planning plays a large role in the company’s quest for a competitive advantage in today’s job market. One of the recruiting strategies not mentioned in the case study is the recruitment of college undergraduates. The company can benefit by hiring eager students seeking careers in their desired fields as a way to introduce them to the company’s culture and vision, with little to no pay. For developmental purposes, recruiters should establish a good relationship with colleges and universities so they can allow them to search...
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...Case: Apple’s Make-vs.-Buy Decision In a turnaround from a trend in which high-tech (and other) manufacturers have outsourced the making of important components in order to increase efficiency and focus on what they do best, Apple has recently made moves that seem aimed at bringing the design of microchips back in-house. Apple is known for innovative design, and along with that, it tends to keep details of what it makes highly secret. Making chip design a company process, rather than a product to buy, gives Apple more control over the process-and over the secrecy. Of course, the decision to handle its own development has huge implications for human resource management. The company needs all-new labor forecasts, a larger labor force, and an intense push to bring in technical talent. Recently, Apple has been hiring many new engineers. Products they could be assigned to include microchips that require less power to operate iPhones and iTouch devices, as well as circuitry to improve the graphics displayed in games and videos played on its devices. A top-notch team could, at least in theory, come up with unique improvements that will take rivals by surprise. One way to acquire a lot of talent fast is to acquire entire companies and make them part of Apple. And that’s one move Apple has been making. The company recently acquired P.A. Semi, a start-up company that designs microchips. Its products could be used to run iPhones and iPods. Observers are guessing that chips developed...
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...Apple’s Make-vs. - Buy Decision Stacy Rowe Dr. Twelve HRM 500 April 28, 2010 Explain what approaches to recruiting might be best suited for Apple’s talent acquisition. An approach Apple may use to recruit the best suited talent just may well be retired technical talent from their competition. Because Apple has launched its very first computer, others have struggled to remain in the competition. For those that have fallen short of redeeming themselves and forced to close up shop, the brains behind the logos are not long gone. Home grown technology has lost its ground, however, when Apple suggests something that may be another great idea, everyone will follow suit. Forecasting the pros and cons while weighing the right options in regards to what type of talent they are searching for will require immediate attention. If Apple wants to remain at the top of the food chain they need to introduce something new and what better way to lead the competition than to rebirth the microchip. The human resources department would conduct job fairs and hire head hunters just for the sole purpose of locating quality designers. There is no question as to who would work for Apple, the question is would agree to combine their expertise in order to be a part of the Apple phenomenon. Hiring experienced people to build their staff should consist of seasoned microchip designers who have successfully passed the employment testing. This will ensure that honest, skilled people...
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...Apple’s Make-vs. - Buy Decision Stacy Rowe Dr. Twelve HRM 500 April 28, 2010 Explain what approaches to recruiting might be best suited for Apple’s talent acquisition. An approach Apple may use to recruit the best suited talent just may well be retired technical talent from their competition. Because Apple has launched its very first computer, others have struggled to remain in the competition. For those that have fallen short of redeeming themselves and forced to close up shop, the brains behind the logos are not long gone. Home grown technology has lost its ground, however, when Apple suggests something that may be another great idea, everyone will follow suit. Forecasting the pros and cons while weighing the right options in regards to what type of talent they are searching for will require immediate attention. If Apple wants to remain at the top of the food chain they need to introduce something new and what better way to lead the competition than to rebirth the microchip. The human resources department would conduct job fairs and hire head hunters just for the sole purpose of locating quality designers. There is no question as to who would work for Apple, the question is would agree to combine their expertise in order to be a part of the Apple phenomenon. Hiring experienced people to build their staff should consist of seasoned microchip designers who have successfully passed the employment testing. This will ensure that honest, skilled people...
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...Apple introduced its first phone into the market in 2007. This new product was introduced to consumer as the iPhone and item became a flagship product of the company that attracted consumers from the start. The company offered an innovative smart phone which allows users to not only make calls but to move seamlessly from listening to music, to browsing the web, checking emails and back at the touch of a finger The company presented its product based on four pillars. It offered a small amount of products, focused on the high end, give priority to profit over market share and created a halo effect that makes people starve for new Apple products (Nielson, 2014). Apple surprised consumers with the release of the iPhone and today it continues to dominate by continuously reinventing its product. In this paper I will present a business proposal for the iPhone that addresses market structure, price elasticity, marginal cost and marginal revenue, suggested non-pricing strategies, barrier to entry and fixed and variable cost. Additionally, I will recommend an appropriate pricing and non-pricing strategies for the iPhone based on the projected economy's stage in the business cycle and the prevailing projected economic conditions for one or more macroeconomic factors. Market Structure According to InvestorWords, market structure is defined as the collection of factors that determine how buyers and sellers interact in a market, how prices change, and how different levels of the production...
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...Running head: APPLE’S MAKE VS. BUY Apple’s Make vs. Buy Decision Julynn Middleton Professor Wangemann Hr Management Foundations October 14, 2011 What approaches to recruiting might be best suited for Apple’s talent acquisition? Apple has decided to start producing a product that they previously outsourced to other companies. This decision will ultimately require them to employ more labor and skill in the department making the components. It is obvious that Apple is going to need to hire more power. I suggest that they go about this by starting on the inside. They should first look to internal candidates to move from other departments into the new area. These people are going to already possess the knowledge of the company and have experience too. In addition these employees may be able to provide referrals of their associates for the positions. It is likely that Apple will be able to find a great team among their current labor force. I would also recommend that Apple put together a team of recruiters and go out into the world to look for new and fresh talent. I would start by going to Universities and talking to the technology graduates. These young fresh faces are going to come with a great deal of energy and drive to prove themselves in a company as big as Apple. It may prove to be quite beneficial to the organization to spend a little extra money and get the new ideas, talent and perspectives of the new graduates. I also think that Apple should reach out to those...
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...1 Apple’s Make vs. Buy Decision Tanjaneka Guy Dr. Robert Waldo Human Resource Management Foundations – HRM 500 October 29, 2011 Apple’s Make vs. Buy Decision 2 Best approaches to Recruiting Recruiting can include giving proper interviews. Human Resources recruitment is to build a supply of potential new hires that the organization can draw on if the need arises. Public employment agencies allows employees to register their job vacancies with their local state employment office, and the agency will try to find someone suitable, using its computerized inventory of local unemployed individuals. With rapid growth of internet use, it is becoming more important that a research site have a presence on the World Wide Web. Internet recruiting definitely would be valuable and best suited for Apple’s talent acquisition. Describe the recruiter traits and behaviors leading to successful recruiting The most successful recruiting campaign requires (1) Interaction – The ideal recruiter is able to communicate with others in a warm and helpful manner while building credibility. (2) Spoken communication – The ideal recruiter is able to present information clearly through spoken word. (3) Commitment to task – The ideal recruiter is able to start and persist with specific courses of action while exhibiting a high degree of self motivation and a sense of urgency. (4) Must have insight and need analysis. (5)...
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...Apple’s iPhone5 vs. Samsung’s Galaxy S3 Apple’s iPhone5 vs. Samsung’s Galaxy S3 In today’s world, technology has a huge impact on the way that individuals live and communicate. Technology is used at work, school, home, and just about anywhere else that one could imagine. The use of cell phones has been the dynamic for the 21st century. Just about everyone, from the elderly, to elementary students owns one. With such a huge variety of cell phones on today’s market, the iPhone5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 reign as today’s market leaders. Both devices are exceptional however, when comparing the technology, design, and overall functionality of the iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S3 there are some commonalities and differences that prove the superiority of the Samsung device. Examining the design of these two handsets provided by the industry leaders, Apple and Samsung shows that the Galaxy S3 has a vibrant 4.8 inch Super AMOLED HD display, whereas its competitor boasts a 4 inch Retina LCD display. As far as the display goes, the Galaxy S3 is one of the best 720p display smartphones on the market. When comparing these two devices one cannot help but to notice the drastic difference in size. The Galaxy S3 measures 5.38 inches high, 2.78 inches wide, .34 inches thick, and weighs 4.70 ounces. Its counterpart measures 4.87 inches high, 2.31 inches wide, .30 inches thick, and weighs 3.95 ounces. In other words, the Galaxy S3 is a much larger phone compared to the IPhone5. To some...
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...Make vs. Buy Revisited Reassessing your company’s manufacturing strategy M ake or buy? The classic manufacturing question still has no easy answer. Amid signs of demand recovery, but with capital still limited and resources thinned by restructuring, top executives today are revisiting the issue. To come to the right make-or-buy decision, leading companies resist the temptation to “feed the beast.” Instead of focusing only on short-term gains, these leaders keep their long-term strategy and corresponding core competencies in mind. They adopt a clearly defined manufacturing strategy, and then adopt the right tactics that can lead to smart decisions and a competitive advantage. The trade-offs between making a product inhouse and buying it externally are well known to most senior executives. The “buy” approach— a manufacturer purchasing a necessary part from an outside source—frees up resources, reduces capital demands, increases flexibility and improves returns on capital employed, but in a tough market companies may seek to avoid potential quality concerns and supply risks. On the other hand, a “make” approach—developing and building that same necessary part internally—enables the company to utilize available internal capacity, absorb fixed costs and protect intellectual property, but it can lead to unnecessary complexity and divert time and attention away from highervalue activities. Choosing “make” simply because the capacity already exists, or “buy”...
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...Organizational Culture at Apple Inc. In the year 1976, it was a dream for most people to buy a computer for their homes. Back then the computer community added up to a few brainy hobbyists. So when Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs sold a van and two programmable calculators for thirteen hundred dollars and started Apple Computers, Inc., in Jobs garage, the reach for success seemed far. But these two young business men, Wozniak 26 years old and Jobs 21 years old, had a vision. Computers aren't for nerds anymore, they announced. Computers are going to be the bicycle of the mind. Low cost computers for everyone. From the first day on the founders of Apple kept their vision intact and they spoke it at every turn. They only hired people into the company that had the same visions as they did. Even though Jobs was the founder of Apple Computers, he resigned from Apple Computers in 1985 to form NextStep Computers after losing control of Apple. Steve Jobs was re-hired in 1997 to save Apple from its beleagurement when the past three CEO's could not bring Apple to its glory days again. Steve Jobs is one of the founders of the Apple. From the beginning his main goal was to make technologies that will change the life style and that will serve the customer. Jobs left the apple during the 80ies, only to return in 1997 and completely shake things up. He is known not only as a good visionare but as well as someone whose decisions are always unpredictable (switching to Intel). He is as well known...
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...I am in a competition with other asset managers who happen to also be my classmates. My prospective clients are considering these other asset managers so I have to make sure that I am successful in managing their portfolio. In the final days of this opportunity, the portfolio which I managed will be analyzed to see how well I performed and where I rank in comparison to the other asset managers. If my clients are satisfied with my performance in managing their portfolio, there is a high chance that my 10-week relationship will be extended with them. This project has taught me how to invest in stocks carefully and to research my stocks before I just buy and sell randomly. I was new to the trading in stocks and did not have any prior experience with the stock market. I didn’t know what I was doing at first but the more I researched the more I learned. Over time I realized that the trading game and making money is all about strategy. Not only is it strategy but also timing is very important when it comes to trading at the right moments. This can only happen if you do your homework before hand, which includes extensive research on the company and its financials in the past. I used articles to assist me in making the right choices and decisions for my portfolio. I ranked 4th in my class and had overall gains of $76,379.08 which is a lot better than I thought...
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...Windows or Macintosh? You choose Michael Novak University of Maryland University College March 3, 2016 Abstract When it comes to computers, there are so many different options to the way someone can evaluate one. Whether it be how much does a computer costs, what makes it cost that much or why are they priced the way they are? Security too, is a big asset that should be overlooked; especially because confidential information can be obtained very easily without anyone even knowing. Or maybe the hardware that is inside a computer. Many people are not tech savvy, so they don’t know any better. Comparing an Apple Macintosh that runs OS X and a Microsoft PC that runs Windows are usually what is accomplished at an electronic store, for example, Best Buy. All these thoughts have to be questioned and answered before a valid decision should be made about which computer is the superior one. Windows or Macintosh OS X? You choose Living in this age where technology makes the world go round; things can get confusing when you can’t keep up to date with all the changes. The present is moving at a faster pace than ever before with all the gadgets we have now. When you’re looking to buy a computer, because let’s be honest, the majority of the people in this world have one; do you know what you’re looking for? Do you go for the expensive, flashy Macintosh with OS X operating system? Or the cheaper, yet user friendly Windows PC? Certain questions like these might not cross your mind...
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