Social Performance of Social Organizations: Apple
Johnnie Love
Dr. Laura P. Jones
BUS 475
4/23/2015

Apple was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976. The parts needed to assemble a computer were highly expensive and very elusive. To begin earning money, Wozniak built “blue boxes,” which were electronic devices that could be used to make free long distance phone calls. They sold hundreds of these devices for a price of $150.00; while Jobs would go on to obtain a summer job with Hewlett Packard (O'Grady, 2009). Making an actual computer, proved an expensive task, so Wozniak would design his computer on paper waiting for lower prices on the parts he needed (O'Grady, 2009). In 1976, the Apple I was made, it had a television set for the monitor, which was unheard of in those days because most computers had no monitor (O'Grady, 2009).
Since its meager beginnings in 1976, Apple has grown into a multi-million dollar business, dominating the cellular and computer market. After the death of Steve Jobs in 2011, the company has continued its success with the cell phones and a smart watch that was released earlier this year. Several external factors can affect the success or failure of a business. Those factors include customers, the government, the economy, competition, and public opinion.
Customers affect business because this is where sales come from. If the customers are not satisfied with a company’s product they will not purchase them, and this could prove to be detrimental to any business. A business can gain customers through marketing and producing quality products, something that Apple is known for achieving. The hype that is built around the release of a new Apple product is outstanding, it will have people waiting in line for days to ensure they receive the product; it could be a cell phone, a tablet, or even a watch. They hold press