...discovery of new life meanings and challenges both in and out of the organisations. It is for this reason that this essay aims to address the importance of organisational theory in a real company. Organisational theories are meant to explain an organisation and its structure. In this case the Apple Inc. organisation will be explored in details and the two theories; knowledge-based theory and diffusion of innovation theory will also be examined comprehensively and how they relate to the apple Inc. Apple Inc., an American Multinational Corporation, has its main focus on manufacturing and designing end user electronic and interconnected products. The most popular products include the iPod (Portable media player), Mac line of personal computers, iPad computers and the iPhone. The various software from Apple Inc. include the Mac and X operating systems, iLife suite, iTunes browser and creativity software as well as iWork and safari web browsers. The company was founded by Steve Paul Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak in April 1976. Its purpose was to make and sell computers. It was then incorporated in January 1977 as Apple Computer Inc. which was later renamed in January 2007 as Apple Inc. (Daidj 2011). This was a reflection of its focus shift to consumer electronics. Apple is the second largest information technology organisation and the third world’s largest mobile phone developer. In 2008, it was named as the most admired company in the...
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...object of this paper is to discuss at least structures in Organization Design and Organization Design Choices. The paper will explain the importance of design choices as well as describing the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of various organizational structures. Next, the paper will assess the relationship between strategy, structure and process in organizations. Finally the paper will analyze the relationship between organization design and the decision making process. This will be based off the scenario of BestSnacks Inc and the opportunities facing BestSnacks in the area of Organizational Design. This paper will provide key concepts of organization design. It will describe the five best design choices and also will provide information regarding some common organizational structures. An organization will have to continuously look at the design and structure it uses to ensure that it is going to establish its goals and vision. Importance of Organizational Design Choices Organizational design choices are important for several reasons. First organizational design choices provide the firm with a choice of designs that are appropriate for achieving different purposes. Every design seeks to pattern the activities of organization towards a common outcome. From the perspective of Best Snacks Inc. it has a choice of selecting a design that will help it achieve its objectives. The choice of organizational design provides Best Snacks Inc a selection of...
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...HEAD: Apple, Inc. SWOT Analysis Apple, Inc. SWOT Analysis AIU – MGT680 Abstract As a senior manager of a computer company, this paper will discuss the company’s competitor, Apple, Inc. This paper will include five factors of strengthens, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for Apple, Inc. It will explain why those factors are important for this company to know. The paper will also propose a strategy and product that will take advantage of Apple, Inc. vulnerabilities which will increase this company’s market share. Apple, Inc. SWOT Analysis Introduction Apple, Inc. is a major competitor for our company and by doing a SWOT analysis of Apple, Inc. means we can help our own strategies. A SWOT analysis looks at strengthens, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats factors of Apple, Inc. By knowing these factors about Apple, Inc. will be important to our company because it takes a look at our competitor. A strategy and product will also be proposed that will take advantage of Apple, Inc. vulnerabilities which will increase this company’s market share. SWOT Analysis Strengths Apple, Inc. has five great strengths that include innovation, brand, customer loyalty, retail stores and marketing, and cash flow abundance. Apple, Inc. innovation includes being the leader in technological innovation with the release of products such as the iPods, iPhone and more. The 2012 Global Innovation 1000 ranked Apple, Inc. number 1 for the 3rd year in a row. Apple, Inc.’s idea of...
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...Week Three Individual Paper: Organizational Impact Paper Introduction Innovation is what gives businesses the competitive advantage the company will need to be profitable in the market. Innovation impacts the strategy, process, products and services that a company has to offer. Three organizations that have greatly used innovation are Discover Financial Services, Apple Inc, and McDonalds. The impact that innovation has on an organization is significant. Defining what innovation, creativity, and design are to and organization and the impact it can have on an organization. When an organization looks at innovation the company should be looking for a new way to do something. To expect change in innovation cannot be avoided in this changing and competitive world of business, changes will always be necessary to stay competitive. The three organizations I have chosen are Southwest Airlines, IBM Corporation and Motorola Company let see how innovation impacts these organizations. Organizational Impact Paper Innovation is what gives an organization the competitive advantage the business will need to be successful in the market. Innovations are ideas that can impact the strategy, process, products and services that an organization has to offer to its customers. Three organizations that have an enormous impact on innovation are United Parcel Service (UPS), Hewlett-Packard and The Coca-Cola Company. Apple Inc. Apple Inc has been a computer company with ups and downs in its...
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...Best Snacks Problem Solution Course/Number Date Andre Boyer Best Snacks Problem Solution Best Snacks encounters many challenges that affect the creativity and innovation practices. This ranges source from individual and organizational learning, management practices and technology in creativity and innovation. Jones (2004) states, “Each design challenge has implications for how an organization as a whole and the people in the organization behave and perform.” (p. 115). This means that each area influences the direction of the organization and some of the difficulties that stifle a creative environment that lends itself to an innovative organization. Further, successfully overcoming challenges associated with a void in creativity consists of implementing a plan that address concerns highlighted by employees in the recent organizational survey. Creating a plan may source at the leadership level but the input sources from the employees because this is the identified area where creativity does not exist in the desired way. Leadership teams must recognize that the survey indicates employees do not feel they have the freedom to provide creative input therefore; leadership team members become part of the problem. Mat and Razak (2011) state, “Identification of success or failure of innovation can be done through implementation phase” (p. 217). As a result, the problem itself lies within the leadership team members rather than the employees of Best Snacks. Based...
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...Internal and External Factors Paper Lisa Sebock MGT/230 April 13,2015 Brandon Fowler Internal and External Factors Paper Internal and external factors of an organization affect the four functions of management. Management is essential to an organization and keeps the company going in an orderly function. The internal and external factors such as globalization, technology, innovation, diversity, and ethics impact the functions of management. I chose to do my paper on Gap Inc.; I have worked for Old Navy for almost a year now, and Gap Inc. owns Old Navy. I see some things in the company that are benefitting to the company and will help make the business successful. There are also some things I see that will not make the company any money but in turn down the line have the company lose profit. Sometimes an organization does not see what they are doing unless they sit back and realize they need to get involved in the business more than just inspections and an occasional email. Internal and External Factors Internal factors of the organization Gap Inc. include planning for an event or sale. Making sure that the store has the correct advertisement for an individual sale so that people will see that a deal is happening. Making sure that every store has enough products for the sale to ensure people are happy with the deal and want to come back to the store. Planning for a sale or even the holiday and making sure there are enough employees to cover each store. All of these are...
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...Benefits and Drivers Paper Name University Benefits and Drivers Paper Benefits and drivers are essential for inspiring innovation and creativity within a company. As a prime example, Sara Lee Food Company is an organization that has declined within the Fortune 1000 list. Currently, Sara Lee operates on a global scale offering prepackaged foods that will be consumed by retail buyers. The company is a publically held and generates over $12 Billion in annual revenue (Sara Lee 2012). A further increase in revenue will allow Sara Lee to pursue avenues of innovation that can increase profit margins and spark new growth. In this paper, our team will be exploring the internal and external driving factors that influence the innovation at Sara Lee. In addition, we will provide an overview of how these tactics can benefit the company. The information covered in this paper is important in ensuring that Sara Lee will be able to meet their organizational objectives. Sara Lee External Drives of Innovation External innovation is the comparison of a company’s own to a competitor’s product or service. The external drives of innovation within Sara Lee are frequent shopper program, website, and catering. Sara Lee has created a program for their customers where they sign up to receive news about the stores events, featured products, and sales (Sara Lee, Inc., 2011). With competitors they do not provide such access to information for frequent customers they receive preventing customers from...
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...Apple Case Study Paper Rhonda Ellis-Thomas MKT 571 November 27, 2012 Professor Linda Kulka View as single page Apple Case Study Paper Apple, Inc. was started by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne; Apple has stretched from computers to consumer electronics over the last 30 years, officially changing their name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. in January 2007 (CrunchBase, 2012). Among the main contributions from Apple’s product line are: Pro line laptops (MacBook Pro) and desktops (Mac Pro), consumer line laptops (MacBook Air) and desktops (iMac), servers (Xserve), Apple TV, the Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server operating systems, the iPod, the iPhone (now available for sale in over 90 countries), and the iPad. The purpose of this paper is to consider both the environmental and internal pressures contributing to the changing market dynamics facing Apple, Inc., and use a problem-solving model, identify and define one specific problem Apple will need to address and apply a robust problem-solving process. The problem, according to the Forbes article “Will Apple Repeat The Most Dangerous Strategic Mistake Leaders of Fast Growing Corporation Can Make?” by Panos Mourdoukoutas, seems to involve the fact that Apple, Inc. may be taking their customers for granted. Is it a result of pressure from the competitors? Is it the economy? Could it possibly be from a mix of internal and external issues? Research will so what may be causing this problem throughout this document...
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...Innovation Strategy Paper Innovation Strategy Paper Not many companies, if any, are known for more innovation than Apple Inc. The products and software produced by Apple Inc. always seem to be years beyond the reach of other companies. Apple Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively “Apple” or the “Company”) designs, manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications (Apple, 2011, pg. 1). Apple Inc. (Apple) produces such items and services as the “iPhone®, iPad®, Mac®, iPod®, Apple TV®, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the iOS and Mac OS®X operating systems, iCloud®, and a variety of accessory, service and support offerings” (Apple, 2011). Apple’s innovation strategy is described below and is evaluated along with the risks involved with the strategy. Apple’s financials and business plan are also described below. Innovation Strategy Innovative companies can thrive even in a tough economy. Apple Inc. has seen hard times and good times. Apple has survived as a company because of a renewed commitment to innovation. This commitment to innovation spearheaded by Steve Jobs has caused other companies to analyze how Apple does so well. First, it is important to note that Apple has not been always successful. Today...
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...Biodegradable/ Non-Biodegradable- Plastic Bag, Sando Bag, Garbage/ Trash Bag, Plastic Packaging, shopping bag Read more: http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/1541235/Manufacturer+of+Biodegradable/+Non-Biodegradable-+Plastic+Bag,+Sando+Bag,+Garbage/+Trash+Bag,+Plastic+Packaging,+shopping+bag 1541235 AddressG/F Goldland Tower, No. 10 Eisenhower St., Greenhills, San Juan City, Philippines Unted polyresins,Inc CALL US: Greenhills Sales Office Phone : +63 (2) 722-9183 to 88 Mobile : +63917-8452014 Fax : +63 (2) 722-5213 +63 (2) 722-9188 VISIT US: Greenhills Sales Office Location : Ground Floor, Goldland Tower, # 10 Eisenhower Street, Greenhills, San Juan City, Philippines 1500 Map: About Us PR Gaz is positioning to be the Philippines’ leading LPG supplier with its continuously growing presence in the domestic market. With its expanding network of LPG convenience stores, more and more homes and businesses rely on PR Gaz for a variety of applications and fuel needs. With continued business innovations, infrastructure development and customer service enhancement, PR Gaz is confidently moving forward as a successful, expanding and most importantly-a customer-focused business. History PR Gaz...
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...Behavior and Communication Paper BCOM/230 July 23, 2012 Behavior and Communication Paper Apple Inc., a multinational corporation, began operations in the 1970s in Cupertino, California. The company designs, markets electronics, personal computers, and software with simplicity in mind, for seamless use by the consumer. For the first 30 years of the company’s tenure, it was known as Apple Computer, Inc. - However, in the early 2000s, the company would remove the word "Computer" to reflect the company’s transition from the marketing of a computer to the marketing of a series of consumer electronics. The company’s best known products are the iPod, Macintosh computers, the iPhone, and iPad. The company is owner of more than 364 retail stores in 13 different countries, and an online store where their products are sold. Apple, Inc. has earned an unparalleled reputation in consumer electronics and made the top of Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies’ in the world, for two (2) consecutive years, as a leader in innovation and people management. History Apple’s descent in the world of consumer electronics began on April 1st, 1976 with the selling of Apple’s personal computer kit. Apple’s founders, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne with little assets could contribute 90% into Apple’s startup where Wayne gave 10% as he did not want to risk all. Because Wozniak did not want to risk his personal assets, he sold his shares back to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. Wayne’s...
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...the setting so everyone feels empowered to contribute creatively to solving the problems. The primary aim of this assignment is to critically discuss the topic of “a good leader influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal and perform well, without having to watch over them.” In order to answer this question well, the author selects Steve Jobs as the leader, and then with reference to Apple Inc to discuss why a good leader as Jobs influences group of individuals without watching them. As an essay based assignment, the author organizes this paper in three main parts, including introduction, main body and conclusion. In introduction section, the definition and importance of leadership are briefly discussed along with primary aim of this assignment. In the second part, the author discusses principles of a good leader; stages of leadership research, employee motivation and organizational culture in detail to discuss why Jobs influenced group of individuals in Apple Inc without watch them. Finally, in conclusion section, the author summarizes findings of this paper and explains...
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...Table of Contents Introduction 3 Nike, Inc. 3 Under Armour 4 Porter’s five forces analysis 5 Nike, Inc. and Under Armour innovation strategies comparison 7 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction Nowadays, more and more people become concerned about health; they develop special diet that include vitamins and advanced nutrition supplements, and of course they do sports. Any kind of sports demand at least basic sports outfit: a T-shirt, shorts or pants, and a pair of shoes. Industry of sports apparel and footwear is an important part of today’s global business, where big companies have to compete for a customer. It is rather hard to differentiate on this market, because all the goods have to fulfill only one goal: make a person feel comfortable during a workout. Thus, companies have to work harder to develop new innovative products to gain market share advantage. The market of sports apparel is now dominated by several big companies: Nike, Inc., Adidas group (which includes Adidas and Reebok), and Puma. But there is also a new fast-growing and very promising player - Under Armour that managed to enter this saturated market. The key success factor for Under Armour was their innovative approach in creating sports apparel. Observing Under Armour’s success Nike has reconsidered their strategy and made innovation the core part of their mission, and in 2013 Nike was announced a #1 innovative company by fastcompany.com. So now there are two key innovators on the market...
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...Case Analysis – Strategic Management – Apple, Inc. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explain the definition of Strategic Management and why it is critical to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission. The analysis will The paper will include a brief analysis of the situation and pending decision problem, as presented in the case and in relevance to the answer. In addition, the major issues will be surrounding the organization or individuals involved with the organization. Included will be alternate courses of action to address the issues identified. Next, will be the decision or recommendation for action, with the appropriate supporting arguments if any. Statement of the Problem(s): Thousands of people were laid off at Apple, Inc. It does not look like Apple, Inc. spent much time working on its management and marketing strategies from the beginning. It was not until better marketers such as Jobs and Sculley came into the picture, before the company started to expand to better markets with acquisitions and joint ventures. The problem was not changing their strategy sooner. The jobs are what contribute to a company’s effectiveness (Mello, 2011, p. 115) and if they kept their employees it might have contributed to earlier success. It is human capital that helps companies to strive. For Apple, Inc. to lay off employees to help their financial statement for stakeholders may have been part of the cause of the problem (Yoffie...
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...Research Paper ( Apple Inc. Cupertino, CA) INTRODUCTION Founded on April 1st, 1976, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne started an electronic product company, which later became known as one of the most successful and innovative businesses, Apple Inc. Today, it has integrated itself into the lives of many, worldwide. Apple Inc. is best known for their famous “i-products”, customer service, and easily accessible tech support and locations. Although Apple has succeeded thus far, Apple Inc.’s profits are plummeting as competitors are rising, leading to failure in the future with the continuation of this trend. LOSS IN FINANCIAL GROWTH Apple Inc. has become the top technology company in the world with around $145 billion in cash (Worstall) and growing revenues each year. However, Apple Inc. has not shown growth in their net profit margin at the end of 2013. Apple’s net profit margin has decreased by 5% in just 2013 alone, (Hoovers, Financial Report) even with releases of new iPhones and computers. Even though this is a fairly recent event, it forecasts what could be happening to Apple. With major companies such as Samsung and Microsoft showing a 3.21% and a 5.05% increase in profit margin, respectively. (Hoovers, Financial Report) Apple is slowly losing its dominance in the market. With this current trend, we believe Apple will no longer be as successful as they currently are 15-20 years down the line. COMPETITORS CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Apple Inc. had a...
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