...the Smartphone industry. The companies that will be compared in this paper are Apple and Samsung. This paper will begin with a brief overview of the history of each of the companies as well as their initial business strategies and core competencies. In addition to this, it will be addressing globalization, the drivers to globalization and the affects that it had toward the business strategies of each of the two companies. Furthermore, the paper will look at the technological advances that have occurred in the industry and how that has impacted the companies, along with how it has shaped each business in order to keep up with the rapidly evolving and expanding market. Lastly, it shall explore what the companies are planning for the future and some of the trends that are occurring within the industry that may be influencing Apple and Samsung. Brief report of Companies Apple Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc., is a multinational corporation that creates consumer electronics, computer software, and commercial servers. The company was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on April 1, 1976 and was later incorporated the company on January 3, 1977, in Cupertino, California. In 1985, Jobs left Apple and founded NeXT, acquired the graphics division of Lucasfilm (Pixar), and joined the Disney’s Board of Directors. It was not until 1997 that Jobs returned to Apple and saved it from bankruptcy. Apple currently operates in 13 countries and has over 70,000 employees worldwide....
Words: 3189 - Pages: 13
...SWOTT Analysis: Samsung Team A MGT 230 October 21, 2013 Christine Russell, MBA SWOTT Analysis: Samsung SWOTT aAnalysis and evaluation of a company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats, and Trends (SWOTT) allows companies to remain competitive. Companies make their product stand out among their competitors by utilizing a SWOTT analysis and the four functions of management, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The SWOTT analysis builds over time, allowing for further analysis of the company and economic needs. Samsung uses SWOTT analysis to further expand their reach globally, while quickly become one of the leading companies in technology, appliances, and home entertainment. Strengths Samsung’s strengths include record-breaking standings in the global electronic industry, leading information technology, and as a global work place. In 2012, Samsung Electronics set a record in the electronics industry by achieving annual sales of $201 trillion and annual operating profits of $29 trillion (Pepitone, 2013Citation). Profits this large allow Samsung to invest in future products, and new markets. Samsung continues to have global success in their electronics division, with the strong sales of TVs and displays, which rank number one in sales across the world. By keeping pace with the need for increased globalization, Samsung is “continually evolving to create a workplace for diverse populations around the world”...
Words: 1699 - Pages: 7
...opportunities provided by globalization. Analyzing the cultures of triumphing companies and countries helps to compare, contrast and learn from their path to glory. Based on these facts, this research paper will study three different successful electronics companies from three different countries/cultures. These are Apple Inc. of USA, Samsung Electronics of South Korea and Sony Corporation of Japan. Apple and Sony Corporation are both involved in many types of business activities and Samsung Electronics is part of a larger multinational conglomerate (Samsung group) which comprises numerous affiliated international businesses. However due to size and commonality of products, this research will focus on their electronics business with specific attention to Mobile devices (Smartphone and mobile computing devices). This research paper will briefly touch up on the activities of the three companies and how cultures of their respective countries influence their corporate culture, management style and overall business activities. The purpose of such research is to analyze the corporate culture of each company in relation to their respective country of origin and present a comparative conclusion of each company’s culture in contrast of one another. The findings of the research will have informative and comparative significance for individuals interested in cultural effects on managing businesses internationally or locally. Samsung Electronics Corporate Background Samsung Electronics was established...
Words: 3521 - Pages: 15
...concept of globalization - business expand from developed to emerging countries and their economies, 'compete with everyone from everywhere for everything (Sirkin et al.) Now "the world is flat" - global competition is characterized by network sod international linkages that bind countries, institutions and people in an interdependent global economy. Economic integration help the lowering of trade barriers and facilitates trade between countries increasing the flow of goods and services, capital, resources, labour and technology around the world. "the invisible hand" of global competition is being propelled by the increasingly borderless world. Globality and Emerging Markets Globalization has narrowed differences in regional output growth rates, economic activities have increased mainly in China, India and Russia. Trade had grown by 133% (worth $54 trillion) in the last 15 years and is still growing. The 2007 FDI confidence index has shown China leading with 2.21, India with 2.09, USA with 1.86…. Fareed Zakaria (American Journalist specialized in international business) states that even though USA is a traditional industry leading in nanotechnology and biotechnology, it is declining and the "other" countries are picking up opportunities as their economic markets are growing because they provide growth markets for developed countries. Globalization is no longer synonym to Americanization due to the investment opportunities in other emerging countries. Apple vs Samsung, Budweiser...
Words: 466 - Pages: 2
...SWOT analysis of Apple Company background Name | Apple Inc. | Industries served | Computer hardware, Computer software, Consumer electronics, Digital distribution | Geographic areas served | Worldwide | Headquarters | U.S. | Current CEO | Tim Cook | Revenue | $ 156.508 billion (2012) | Profit | $ 41.733 billion (2012) | Employees | 72,800 (2012) | Main Competitors | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Amazon.com, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Google Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Dell Inc., LG Electronics, Lenovo Group Limited, Hewlett-Packard Company, Sony Corporation and many others. | Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation, which designs, manufactures and sells personal computers, consumer electronics and software, and provides related services. The business has experienced a tremendous growth from 2001 when it has introduced its iPod mp3 player. Apple Inc. is considered to be the most successful electronics company in the world. Mission Apple mission statement 2013 | “Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.” | Overview Apple’s mission is one of the poorest statements that can be found...
Words: 9551 - Pages: 39
...Apple Corporation: Strategy Analysis Executive summary Apple Corporation continues to be the worlds most admired company because of its huge financial base, ability to attract and retain customers, ability to innovate and to produce technologically superior products. The company’s strategy as found in this report is built around creativity and innovation. Its capabilities in terms of resources and technology have made the company to produce technologically advanced products. Despite the huge influence of the external factors such as regulations, the economy and changes in technology, Apple is still strong and able to leverage its capabilities to achieve success. Apple is thus strategically positioned to achieve its objectives despite a few challenges that were identified that pose a threat to the company. Overall, its future direction should be guided by innovation and its ability to diversify its activities and products in order to extend its product line in order to survive. Introduction The 21st century has witnessed a rapid change in the way companies do business and the rationale for this is the cut throat competition among firms. The need to make profits and to gain market share has driven these companies to enact strategies that have led them to perform better (Vernon, 2001). This is not always the same with all companies as performance varies across these companies and this could be explained by the different strategies that they have adopted (Francis, 2010)...
Words: 4492 - Pages: 18
...Maintaining the “Single Samsung” Spirit: New Challenges in a Changing Environment Caryn Ng Kar Yan B1102572 Keah Mei Sian B1102580 Nur Fathiha Bte Johan Ariffin B1100381 Mohd Roshan bin Mohd Yusop B0101223 Sarkunarajah S B1001971 Wan Arjunaidi Bin Awang @ Wan Abdul Halim E0300073 Abstract Samsung portrayed a very interesting and impressive success story in every aspect of development. Although they were hit hard by financial crisis in 2009, Samsung survived the ordeal with their impressive financial performance. The astonishing part of their achievement is mostly guided by internal management capability, positive aligned culture and belief system that empowering human capital is the foundation in building and maintaining a great organization. Their strong belief system in emphasizing and investing on employees well being pays off when they become the leading company beating some of the top companies such as Sony, Apple and HTC. The process and development of human capital was never an easy matter for Samsung, in fact the culture has been practiced and improvised regularly ever since 1950 to fit to the demand and maturity of the current society and technology. Nevertheless at the end, Samsung indeed make a marked in the world with sustaining a Single Samsung culture. 1. Perform a PEST on Samsung and identify the change drivers POLITICAL | ECONOMIC | * Work hand in hand with the government; consist the same agendas and values.Change...
Words: 6166 - Pages: 25
...Company report on cross border offshoring management, cultural dimensions and gamification Table of Contents Table of Contents Executive Summary | p.5 | Chapter I – Introduction1.1 Purpose of the Report1.2 Effects of Globalization on Businesses’ 1.3 Company Background1.4 Outline of the Report | pp.6-7 | Chapter II – Cross Border and Offshoring Management 2.1 Introduction2.2 Defining culture2.3 Defining management and cross cultural management 2.4 Offshoring2.5 Key problems in cross cultural teams2.6 Conclusions | pp.8-11 | Chapter III – Analyzing and Explaining Cultural Dimensions3.1 Introduction3.2 Analysis of cultural dimensions and Country Comparisons 3.2.1 Power Distance 3.2.2 Uncertainty Avoidance 3.2.3 Long term orientation 3.2.4 Indulgence 3.2.5 Individualism 3.2.6 Masculinity 3.3 Limitations of Hofstede’s Dimensions | pp.12-17 | Chapter IV – Gamification4.1 Introduction4.2 Defining and Explaining gamification4.3 Gamification’s effects on business4.4 Examples of gamification4.5 Criticism – The dark side of gamification | pp.18-20 | Chapter V – Corporate Social Responsibility5.1 Introduction5.2 Defining and explaining CSR 5.3 The Foxconn and Apple scandal5.4 Recommendations and Actions | pp.21-22 | Chapter VI – Recommendations to Management | pp.23-24 | Chapter VII – Conclusions | pp.25 | References | pp.26-27 | Executive Summary Executive Summary This report provides an analysis and evaluation of...
Words: 6986 - Pages: 28
...Industry ManMohan S. Sodhi Cass Business School Seongha Lee Samsung Forthcoming, JORS (2007) ABSTRACT: The consumer electronics industry is a $ 240 billion global industry with a small number of highly competitive global players. We describe many of the risks associated with any global supply chain in this industry. As illustration, we also list steps that Samsung Electronics and its subsidiary, Samsung Electronics UK, have taken to mitigate these risks. Our description of the risks and illustration of mitigation efforts provides the backdrop to identify areas of future research. INTRODUCTION In supply chain management, there is much discussion on risks related to such aspects of supply chains as short product lifecycles, keen competition combined with cooperation, and globalization. The consumer electronics industry is the very embodiment of these aspects of supply chain management and related risks. While some of the supply- and demand-related risks are similar to such industries as the toy industry (Johnson 2001), the consumer electronics industry faces additional risks due to its vertically integrated supply chains. This article seeks to provide a starting point for understanding supply chain risk in this industry through examples from this industry as well as related ones like computers and mobile phones. To illustrate the mitigation of these risks, we list steps that Samsung Electronics and its subsidiary, Samsung Electronics UK, have taken to manage these risks. The consumer...
Words: 7689 - Pages: 31
...Analysis of Competition in the Mobile Phone Markets of the United States and Europe International Business Master's thesis Mika Husso 2011 Department of Management and International Business Aalto University School of Economics AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS Department of Management and International business Master’s thesis ABSTRACT ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION IN THE MOBILE PHONE MARKETS OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE Competition in an economic context is a widely studied phenomenon with a significant body of accumulated research and theory. However, competition in the mobile phone industry, despite its prevalence in public discussion, has received significantly less attention in academic research. Within the international business (IB) context there are very few academic studies that seek to analyze and compare the different geographical mobile phone markets from the viewpoint of competition. This thesis examines competition in the mobile phone markets of the United States and Europe in light of interviews and secondary data covering years 2002 - 2011. The framework used for the analysis is founded on concepts drawn primarily from industrial organization (IO) economics, IB theory and microeconomics. The first part of the thesis gives an overview of the U.S. and European mobile phone markets and the second part focuses specifically on Nokia, its actions and performance on the U.S. market. The findings reveal that the U.S. and European mobile phone...
Words: 30791 - Pages: 124
...Analysis of Competition in the Mobile Phone Markets of the United States and Europe International Business Master's thesis Mika Husso 2011 Department of Management and International Business Aalto University School of Economics AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS Department of Management and International business Master’s thesis ABSTRACT ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION IN THE MOBILE PHONE MARKETS OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE Competition in an economic context is a widely studied phenomenon with a significant body of accumulated research and theory. However, competition in the mobile phone industry, despite its prevalence in public discussion, has received significantly less attention in academic research. Within the international business (IB) context there are very few academic studies that seek to analyze and compare the different geographical mobile phone markets from the viewpoint of competition. This thesis examines competition in the mobile phone markets of the United States and Europe in light of interviews and secondary data covering years 2002 - 2011. The framework used for the analysis is founded on concepts drawn primarily from industrial organization (IO) economics, IB theory and microeconomics. The first part of the thesis gives an overview of the U.S. and European mobile phone markets and the second part focuses specifically on Nokia, its actions and performance on the U.S. market. The findings reveal that the U.S. and European mobile phone...
Words: 30791 - Pages: 124
...Analysis of Competition in the Mobile Phone Markets of the United States and Europe International Business Master's thesis Mika Husso 2011 Department of Management and International Business Aalto University School of Economics AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS Department of Management and International business Master’s thesis ABSTRACT ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION IN THE MOBILE PHONE MARKETS OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE Competition in an economic context is a widely studied phenomenon with a significant body of accumulated research and theory. However, competition in the mobile phone industry, despite its prevalence in public discussion, has received significantly less attention in academic research. Within the international business (IB) context there are very few academic studies that seek to analyze and compare the different geographical mobile phone markets from the viewpoint of competition. This thesis examines competition in the mobile phone markets of the United States and Europe in light of interviews and secondary data covering years 2002 - 2011. The framework used for the analysis is founded on concepts drawn primarily from industrial organization (IO) economics, IB theory and microeconomics. The first part of the thesis gives an overview of the U.S. and European mobile phone markets and the second part focuses specifically on Nokia, its actions and performance on the U.S. market. The findings reveal that the U.S. and European mobile phone markets are fundamentally...
Words: 30791 - Pages: 124
...minority groups consist of 2.2% of the population (Population Statistics, 2013). While reviewing the demographics I found that the education system is extremely strict; though it is more lenient now, it is still success driven (Chakrabarti, 2013). I also found that religion is not going to be an issue with this venture, in my opinion. There are two major religions; the major Christian religion will be implemented in the venture (Koo, n.d.). Education and demographics are important to a global business venture, though I believe the economy is most important. I present information about South Korea’s economy, and how it has transformed from an aid recipient to a donor country (Globalization, n.d.). Here is where I mention the chaebol’s success, which accounted for 55.7% of South Koreas GDP in 2010 (Globalization, n.d.) Not only will I show the success of the economy, I will also describe the failing housing market (Seoul Reflects South Korea Housing Trouble, 2013). To take Western Plaza Inc. into South Korea, I had to first research the weather patterns. I saw potential problems only in the spring, when hazardous yellow sand/dust blows into Korea from China (Korean Weather, n.d.)....
Words: 9631 - Pages: 39
...STRATEGY 16 o o o The scope of the firm 16 Vertical and Horizontal Diversification 20 Managing the corporate portfolio 23 V. GLOBAL STRATEGY AND THE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS 25 o o o o o Patterns of internationalization 25 Analyzing competitive advantage in an international context 25 International Location of Production 27 Global integration vs. National differentiation 27 Strategy and organization within the multinational corporation 28 VI. VII. VIII. CONCLUSION 28 APPENDIX 29 BIBLIOGRAPHY 30 I. Introduction COMPANY PROFILE Nokia is a Multinational communications and information technology Corporation, with headquarters in Finland. Even though, their product portfolio is quite diverse, their main products are mobile phones and IT devices. Nokia occupied the leadership position in the mobile phones’ industry for more than a decade; however in 2011 this position was lost. The introduction of the smartphones in the market, the scandal related with Stephen Elop’s memo, ex-CEO (Ratner Effect), and the loss of trust in the brand related with the too-early announcement of changing in the operating system (Osborne Effect); resulted in a boycott both from carriers and retailers against Nokia that had a strong negative impact in its performance and overall results. As a consequence, Nokia...
Words: 11144 - Pages: 45
...Executive Summary Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc., is a multinational corporation that creates consumer electronics, smart phones, tablets, personal computers, computer software, and commercial servers, and is a digital distributor of media content. Apple's core product lines are the iPhone smartphone, iPad tablet computer, iPod portable media players, and Macintosh computer line. Founders, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak effectively created Apple Computer on April 1, 1976, with the release of the Apple I, and incorporated the company on January 3, 1977, in Cupertino, California. Apple experienced modest, but above average growth from its founding until the mid-2000s when the popularity of its iPods and iTunes Store were joined by Apple’s release of the first iPhones. This combination, along with then-CEO Steve Jobs’ iconic leadership, catapulted Apple to successes rarely seen as it became the largest publicly traded company in the world by 2012. Our financial analysis of Apple revealed many things, not the least of which is the simple fact that Apple is a well-run, efficient, innovative company. Over the last three years, Apple realized a consistent positive trend in well over half of the twenty-two key financial ratios analyzed, highlighted by improvements in all profitability and inventory management ratios. It kept pace with the growth experienced in the technology and consumer electronics industries, despite significant gains in market share by giants...
Words: 18184 - Pages: 73
