Apple Corporation

Apple Incorporation is one of the largest organizations dealing into Information Technology. Apple has a host of products ranging from Laptops, Desktops, Mobile Phones and Multimedia Devices. The company has been extremely innovative in the field of multimedia and it owes it success to one of the greatest innovators, Steve Jobs. The company has always believed in innovation and that is the major reason why it has been so successful in the mobile phone segment. In recent years Apple is second only to Samsung in the Global Mobile Phone industry. However the operations have been largely based in the United States and in times of recession any organization needs to focus on economies of scale and thus focus on growth

Since 1976 Apple’s innovation has helped the company become a market leader in computer and mobile electronics. Through this time the company has faced a number of challenges either it be an internal power struggles or criticism from the media for certain aspects of their business model. This report covers five different issues that the company is facing or may face in the future.

In The Wall Street Journal, tech reporter Daisuke Wakabayashi (2014) describes how Apple is expanding its reach into the business market. “The iPhone has replaced the BlackBerry as the mobile phone of choice, as the iPad assumes tasks once reserved for PCs,” (Wakabayashi, 2014). Wakabayashi (2014) noted that “Apple is going mainstream” when it comes to the corporate world, and he profiles multiple large enterprises — including SAP, Nordstrom, and Cisco — that have rolled out iOS and other Apple devices to their

“Apple conducts business ethically, honestly and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This applies to every business decision in every area of the company worldwide” (Apple Inc., 2015). This is the opening statement from Apple’s Business Conduct. Most publicly operating companies construct a business conduct or a code of ethics that is specific for that particular company. Apple’s code of ethics was written to express their most important principles and values.

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

Apple Inc., formerly Apple Computer, Inc., is a multinational corporation which designs and manufactures consumer electronics, personal computers, computer software and commercial servers. Their main product lines are the iPhone smart phone, iPad tablet computer, iPod portable media players and Macintosh computer line. They have also developed Apple Stores application for iphone, ipad and iPod. To become successful in the business industry, companies must have a vision and a clear purpose. Apple Inc. is one of those highly performed companies with a strong vision statement. The company’s original vision is to make computers as well as innovative tools and upgrade these products over the years. In today’s world, changing economic and social environment challenges trigger companies to proactively review business processes and to adapt to changes in the business environment. To become successful in this competitive job market, Apple needed to make sure to implement their vision and necessary proactive steps to engage it in the work environment. Leading Change by John P. Kotter mentioned a model of eight steps for change management. Each step provides a roadmap of dealing changes and how leaders can implement this eight stage model for successful change effort. Due to technological advancement and globalization, Apple has had different success and failure stories in implementing their vision. Through research, some findings came out that how Apple has been

Technology change has naturally been a major factor in Apple's success. The company played a major role in the shift to a mobile computing society, by developing the personal technology devices that would

Apple Inc. has been dedicated to innovation ever since the company was first formed. Apple's recent breakthroughs were a result of a new technologies convergence upon the "digital hub" strategy (Mortensen, 2010). This strategy has served Apple well; especially during the last few years. The iPad, iPod, and iPhone were all born from this strategy. Furthermore, producing these innovative, user friendly, and design oriented products has earned them a considerable amount of customer loyalty.

Apple is committed to maintaining the highest standards, for both environmental responsibility and ethical conducts. They follow strict

Apple established its code of ethics to ensure that all suppliers followed the same standard. The company now reviews its system regular to maintain clearness and answerability in their business practices and accomplished international standards. The code of ethics is a

Nowadays, Apple has positioned itself to be an innovator in the personal computer industry and Apple has developed by offering modern products compared to its competitors. According to Apple’s mission statement last year, “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.” (Business Management,

In terms of the global sector, Apple has begun to establish itself as a worldwide player. As the company expands its reach into different parts of the world beyond its current locations, major efforts should be made to study the preferences of customers in those regions to make sure that service offerings and marketing efforts are attuned to and targeted to address specific needs in those areas. Also, Apple must concern the working conditions as it set up its factory in cheaper location of other

Apple Computers, Inc. was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 and started as a small computer manufacturing company in California, USA (Richardson, 2015). Over the years, Apple have applied numerous global strategies in order to sustain competition with competitors in the same market sector. This has seen them become more innovative, creating a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart watches to meet worldwide demand. Because of this, Apple is now regarded as one of the biggest multinational organisations in the world with a total revenue of 233 billion dollars in 2015 (MarketWatch, 2015). Using relevant theories, frameworks and models, I will aim to explain how Apple have successfully achieved global competitive advantage whilst incorporating the importance of their home country, partner country, supplier country and customer country from the Star Analysis framework (Spulber, 2007).

1.1 APPLE INC ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 2 1.2 Organisation Structure of Apple ................................ ................................ ............................... 3 2. Management Information System................................ ................................ .............................. 4 2.1 Introduction................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 4 2.2 Importance of

Apple Inc. is the most revered corporation of the USA, both in terms of brand equity and market capitalization. The company’s international competitive strategy is focused on the innovative product development, which Apple controls through its eight business segments: Portables, Desktops, iPads, iPhones, Music related products and services, peripherals and hardware (Lam et al. 2005).