...firm. The personal computer/notebook market is becoming increasingly commoditized, leading to intense rivalry among competitors within the industry, driving prices down and creating potentially destructive price wars (Buy, 2009). Utilizing key resources and capabilities including industry-leading design teams, talented software and hardware engineers, backed by a sizeable research and development budget, which is responsible for a portfolio of thousands of patents, and under the strategically brilliant stewardship of CEO Steve Jobs, Apple has successfully innovated its way to a comfortable market position commanding premium prices. Unfortunately, Apple cannot rest on its laurels. The position is not permanent and Apple must continually find new ways to maintain...
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...INTRODUCTION The success of Apple’s strategy actually began when there were crises internally and financially arose that worried Mac users around the world Apple’s shareholders and customers were losing faith, and competitors were closing in fast. These crises began when John Scully joined Apple in 1983 and also the ouster of Steve Jobs from Apple Computers (Apple) in September 1985 because he cannot work closely with John Scully. Both Jobs and Scully have difference opinion in running the business. In the 1990s, Apple changed three CEOs in the four years between 1993 and 1997, and the company went through several reorganizations and also the returned of Steve Jobs to the company as Apple’s CEO in April 1997 till to date. Due to the many significant events that had happened during the year from 1984 to 2004 and the frequently changed in top management position actually had brought and contributed towards the growth and success of Apple. 1984 – 1985 Apple launched Macintosh As we can see in 1984-85, Apple next launched is the Macintosh. The Macintosh initially sold well, but follow-up sales were not strong. This was because of the again high price tag, as well as limited software titles. The machine's fortunes changed with the introduction of Apple’s new product - LaserWriter, the first PostScript laser printer to be offered at a reasonable price point, and PageMaker, an early desktop publishing package. The Mac was particularly powerful in this market due to its advanced...
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...C 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) (750 words) A new manager is starting in the organisation shortly. You have been asked to provide an outline to this new-starter, so that they can gain some understanding of the organisation in preparation for their start. The information you provide should include: A list of the main products and services of the organisation An identification of the main customers The purpose and goals of the organisation An analysis of a minimum of 4 external factors and their impact on the business activities of an organisation The structure and at least 4 functions of the organisation An explanation of how these different functions work together within the organisation to optimise performance An identification of the culture of the organisation and at least 2 ways this affects operations. NAME: COHORT: COMPANY: Apple Inc. WORD COUNT 750 In order to understand the organizational business or operation environment and cope with specific organizational culture, it seems important to get the comprehensive information regarding the products and services, customer base, organizational goals or objectives of the company and its internal or external influencing factors. Considering the same, brief insight about Apple Inc. can be of great help for new managers to understand and cope with new organizations culture. Apple Inc. is known in the global market place for its innovative new dimensions of digital technology, which acts as the...
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...Assignment 1: The Business Environment TaMarcus Murchison Dr. Awa BUS 100 --- Introduction to Business February 6, 2013 Businesses are the growth engine of the most successful economy. Because we have a capitalistic economy, business is the main component of it. Business is in every corner of every sector of the market. Most everything you can possibly think of that relates to the economy is business. Retail, services, agriculture, manufacturing, health care, even political campaigning all involves business. Even when civilizations were based on an agricultural type of economy, business transactions occurred. For example, in an agricultural society based solely on farming, there would be different types of farming taking place. If one farmer grew coconuts, and his neighbor had cattle, they would probably trade coconuts and milk with each other. This is just a practical business transaction to make. If they did not barter in this way, one would be forced to go without milk and the other would be forced to go without coconuts. This is just an illustration to point out that business takes place even on the smallest scale throughout history. Without business, humans would have to completely fend for themselves for absolutely everything. We would have to find our own food every single day. We would have to gather materials to create shelter because there would be no store to buy them and no real estate agent to sell a house. We would have to make our own clothes out...
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...Case Synopsis Candidate Name: Harshit Bhalla Session: Spring 2015 Subject: GBUS-180 Due: 4/30/15 Professor: D. Flynn Candidate Name: Harshit Bhalla Session: Spring 2015 Subject: GBUS-180 Due: 4/30/15 Professor: D. Flynn 1. Historical Analysis: - A. Business In: * Overview: * Apple Inc. “is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electron1ics, computer software, online services, and personal computers. Its best-known hardware products are the Mac line of computers, the iPod media player, the iPhone smartphone, and the iPad tablet computer. Its online services include iCloud, iTunes Store, and App Store. Apple's consumer software includes the OS X and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media browser, the Safari web browser, and the iLife and iWork creativity and productivity suites.” * Apple generates revenue through many mediums. Consumer electronics is by far generating most of its revenue. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that with just one of its products, the IPhone, generating 50% of its revenue. It also generates revenue through its Apple Mac Sales, IPad, and IPod, IPod accessories, ITunes and App store and of course it’s AppleCare services. We will focus mainly on the specific consumer electronics mentioned below when describing its financial, competitive, and environmental areas. * Products & Services: * Consumer...
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...global company in the consumer appliances and gadgets market. It started as a South Korean family-owned business but has earned acceptance around the globe now. Samsung is not happy with operating in the leading markets only. The recent expansion into new markets shows that it wants to cover as many countries as possible. STEEP analysis provides concentrated information which covers various aspects of the external environment. Like PEST and STEEP, it creates a snapshot of current socio-political reality. It also gives a better idea of the existing trends. The analysis below will give you an outline of Samsung’s overall situation. Samsung would consider all of these factors before taking a decision. The key focus of this article is on the external environmental drivers. The STEEPLE analysis will focus on the following 7 factors: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal, and Ethical. The initials for these make up the acronym STEEPLE. S FOR SOCIAL As I mentioned already, Samsung is a South Korean Chaebol. This means it is a family-owned multinational. Despite its global image, the firm still operates as a Korean company from within. For this reason, they change many aspects of global operations according to the local conditions. In simpler words, global company Samsung has had to act locally in many emerging markets. Moreover, Samsung had to change its products to match the rapidly changing consumer preferences in certain markets. Samsung operates...
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...Apple, and its iPhone are very established brand names in the smart phone industry in today’s US market. As the early leader and innovator in the smart phone market, Apple was able to stay ahead of its competitors by releasing new iPhone versions every year, and software updates whenever necessary. Expansion internationally was not as fast as domestically, thanks to heavy competition from industry giants like Nokia, the world’s biggest producer of cell phones. Currently iPhones are being sold in over 88 countries, though Apple still controls the manufacturing process for all iPhones shipped worldwide. Apple retail stores are only present in 35 of those countries, with Apple product presence in other parts of the world being represented by third parties. Singapore is one of the countries that does not have an Apple Store, and as recommended in my last report, intensifying penetration into that market can generate more revenues and lead to better strategies being tested for when the market in China matures enough that entrance is viable. People in Singapore are not avid Apple consumers as the company does not have a presence in the country yet, and as far as the iPhone goes, there are options that suit the needs of the population interested in smart phones better. Marketing Export Marketing should be used in order to gain entry into the Singaporean market. Using the same strategies and marketing mix that were used in the United States and Europe will not allow Apple to gain any...
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... | | |Chew Tze Yong, Jackson (u3040937) | | |Tan Hui Guang (u3056105 ) | | |Thiam Yee Hwa, Clara (u3049098 ) | |Unit name | Strategic Management | |Unit number | 7371 | |Name of UC lecturer/ Local tutor | Dr Majharul Talukder / Mr Sadanand Varma | |Program | BBA | |Assignment name | Strategic Management – Case Analysis (Apple) | |Due date | 9th March 2012 | You must keep a photocopy or electronic copy of your assignment. Student declaration I certify that the attached assignment is my own work. Material drawn from other sources has been acknowledged according...
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...Abstract: Innovation competencies are valuable in emergent and high-growth phases of the lifetime of a product or industry segment. For mature industries, researchers have emphasized strengths in operations and execution, with the implication that innovation-oriented companies must enter early in the product lifecycle or not at all. Here we examine the decision of Apple Inc. to enter the mobile handset business. We link the iPhone entry strategy to its historic competencies and the industry context of commodization and convergence. From this we offer conclusions about openness in mobile phones and prospects for a single dominant design for convergence devices. JEL - codes: O30, L16, L1 Entering a Mature Industry Through Innovation: Apple’s iPhone Strategy Submitted to DRUID Summer Conference 2007 February 28, 2007 Abstract Innovation competencies are valuable in emergent and high-growth phases of the lifetime of a given product or industry segment. For mature industries, researchers have emphasized strengths in operations and execution, with the implication that innovation-oriented companies must enter early in the product lifecycle or not at all. Here we examine the decision of Apple Inc. to enter the mobile handset business. We link the iPhone entry strategy to its historic competencies and the industry context of commodization and convergence. From this we offer conclusions about openness in mobile phones and prospects for a single dominant design for convergence devices...
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...Background……………………………………………………………….1 1.2 The situation of Apple Inc in 2011………………………………………..1 1.3 Apple’s quality control……………………………………………………1 1.4 CRM of Apple Inc………………………………………………………...2 2 Competitors 2.1 SWOT……………………………………………………………………...3 2.2 Porter's five forces………………………………………………………....4 2.3 Market trend……………………………………………………………….4 3 Cross culture issues 3.1 Apple’s product in different country……………………………………….6 3.2 Apple’s management in different country………………………………….8 3.3 Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory for Apple…………………………..9 4 Corporate social responsibility and profitability 4.1 Economic…………………………………………………………………...11 4.2 Environmental………………………………………………………………11 4.3 Social………………………………………………………………………..13 4.4 Recommendation……………………………………………………………14 5. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………...16 6. Reference…………………………………………………………………….17 1 Introduction 1.1 Background Apple is a multinational company. The company's headquarters is in California in the United States. Headquarters is responsible for product design, development and marketing of consumer electronic products, computer software, and personal computers. All the products, the most well-known product are the Mac series of computers, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Apple has two million employees. Research and development personnel accounted for 2% of the total of 20,000 people. In 2011, Apple's turnover is $ 108.2 billion. This data is far more than our competitors. They are: Nokia, Samsung...
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...Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 CSR Background 2.1 Definition of CSR 2.2 Evolution of CSR 2.3 Emergence of CSR 3 Literature Review 3.1 Carroll's CSR Pyramid 3.2 Purpose of the firm and how that shapes views on CSR 3.3 Arguments for and against CSR 3.3.1 Arguments Against 3.3.2 Arguments For 3.3.3 Summary of the key debates 4 Methodology 5 CSR at Apple Inc. 5.1 Apple's profile 5.2 Reasons to engage in CSR 5.3 CSR policies at Apple Inc. 5.4 Type of CSR approach taken by Apple Inc. 5.5 Key dilemmas within CSR challenges 5.5.1. Labour and human rights 5.5.2. Workers’ health and safety 5.6 CSR tactics at Apple Inc. 6 Conclusion 7 References Word Count: 2837 1 Executive Summary Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been highly regarded by most corporations. However, the exact reason why corporations implement CSR initiatives is often very vague and confusing to others. This paper will explore in depth how international corporations are motivated to incorporate CSR into the business strategies and how they deal with it. Based on academic references, the report firstly outlined the CSR background as well as some theory and key debates about CSR. Then, the methodology was summarized. After that, the case study of Apple Inc. was used to demonstrate the reasons for implementing CSR initiatives in depth. Following that, the types of dilemmas the company faced, the CSR approach and tactics it used were analyzed. Finally, a conclusion was drawn...
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... 12 Apple Inc. Strategy Review and Recommendation Group: E2 Content 1. Company Background 4 2. Report Aim and Scope 4 3. Analysis of the Current Environment 5 3.1. PEST Analysis 5 3.2. Porter’s Five Forces 7 3.3. Resource Portfolio Analysis 8 3.4. Current SWOT Analysis 10 4. Analysis of the Future Environment via Scenario Planning 11 4.1. Impact of Scenarios on Apple’s Five Forces 12 4.2. Impact of Scenario Planning on Internal Environment (VRIN) 13 4.3. Future SWOT 15 5. Evaluation of Existing Strategies 16 6. Analysis of Apple’s Organizational Direction 16 7. Strategic Option Generation 18 7.1. Generic Strategy Model 18 7.2. BCG Matrix 19 7.3. Directional Policy Matrix 20 7.4. ANSOFF Matrix 21 7.5. TOWS 22 8. Strategy Evaluation through SAFe 23 8.1. Corporate Level Strategic Evaluation 23 8.2. Media Devices & Mobile Communications SBU Strategic Evaluation 24 8.3. Personal Computers Strategic Evaluation 24 8.4. Portable Media Players Strategic Evaluation 25 8.5. Software Strategic Evaluation 25 9. Comparison of New and Existing Strategies 25 10. Conclusion 26 11. Report Limitations 28 12. References 29 1. Company Background Apple Inc was founded in April 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The company that invented the first personal computer has diversified into designing and producing a vast range of consumer electronics and software supplied to millions of customers...
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...on the iPod touch and the iPhone. The fundamental reason why Apple Inc dropped “Comupter” from its corporate name was so that it could expand into the other aspects of the consumer electronics market without restricting itself to its initial focus on personal computers. This report will use Apple Inc as a case study to underline the importance of Marketing to Organisations in the 21st Century. What is Marketing? The modern definition and history of Marketing: In an electronic journal called “Broadening the Concept of Marketing”, marketing was defined as involving “product development, pricing, distribution and communication; and in the more progressive firms, continuous attention to the changing needs of customers and the development of new products, with product modifications and services to meet these needs”. Such a definition describes the essence of modern marketing very well as it hints how modern successful (“progressive”) organisations should seek to meet the desires of their consumers. A great...
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...Table of Contents Executive Summary 5 Marketing Strategy 6 Background 6 Company 6 Products 7 Situational Analysis 7 Market Share 8 Goals 8 Strategy 9 SWOT Analysis 9 Strengths 10 Weaknesses 11 Opportunities 11 Threats 12 Customers 12 Competitors 14 Positioning 14 Competitor Market Share 15 Collaborators 15 Role of Partnerships 15 Complimentary Businesses 16 Climate 16 Political/Legal 16 Economic 16 Technological 17 Social/Cultural 17 Issues Analysis 17 Personal Computer Market 17 New Products 17 International Operations 18 Digital rights management system (DRM) 18 eBusiness Models 18 Market Research and Market Intelligence 20 Marketing Strategy 25 Tactical e-Marketing and Communications Planning 28 Tactical Approach 28 Product 28 Promotion 29 Price 31 Place 31 Use of Technology 31 Delivery Mechanism 34 Flexible manufacturing plants 34 Supplier Relationship Management. 35 Channel Management 36 Marketing Communications 37 Developing an Integrated Marketing Communications Plan 37 Overarching Goals of the Plan 38 Message Development 38 Communication Media, Venues, and Campaign Elements 39 Tactical Marketing Plan Elements 40 Regulation and Ethics Issues 45 Responding to Regulation and Ethics Issues 46 Assessing E-Marketing Effectiveness 47 Conclusion 50 References 51 List of Figures Figure 1 - Porter's Five Forces Analysis Framework 22 Figure 2 - Comparative Competitor Specifications 23 Figure 3 ' Online Advertising Tracking...
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...Every organisation has an individual structure that provides coordination and control of the organisation’s activities. Organisational structures are complex and specific to the variables of the organisation such as strategy, industry, geographical location, government legislation, access to technology and funds for growth as well as many other variables of the organisation. They also need to be flexible and innovative to remain profitable in a competitive and globalised market, involving continual monitoring and change to the structure of the organisation. As an organisation’s components vary from one to another there can be no ideal or perfect organisational structure. An ideal or perfect organisational structure is theoretical and designed based upon the goals and demands of the business at the time (Kroon, 1995). Goals of a business are derived from the organisation’s strategies which can be highly differentiated between different types of organisations from stock-exchange listed corporations to non-profit organisations. Microsoft is a listed corporation in a highly innovative field which today is managed as eight independent divisions, all with different strategies. In separating Microsoft to eight different divisions this allows for specialisation while also providing eight different structures with eight different sets of policies, procedures and management structures (Legerer et al, 2009). This shows that even within the one organisation a set structure is not suitable...
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