Case Study APPLE, Inc
Case Study Analysis
Unit 1: Strategic Management
Apple, Inc.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Strategic Management Case Study Analysis: Apple, Inc.
According to the text Strategic Human Resource Management, the concept of Strategic Management is defined as, “the process by which organizations attempt to determine what needs to be done to achieve corporate objectives and, more important, how these objective are to be met” (Mello, 2011, pg.104). This paper will examine the case study for Apple, Inc. and provide Strategic Management recommendations of how Apple, Inc. can effectively meet its objective of maintaining a viable corporate strategy that results in steady industry success in worldwide PC markets.
Major Issues
Apple has evolved from a leading developer of personal computers to the leader in innovative technology by expanding its business model to include digital music, digital TV and mobile phone platforms. Apple experienced increased distribution and sales with a creative retail strategy to include online retail sales, allowing tremendous growth in becoming one of the top three PC makers in in the US, yet they consistently were unable to grow their worldwide market share above 3% (Delong, 2006). Apple products are premium priced and the applications and platforms were initially developed as proprietary, establishing Apple as an exclusive brand.
With numerous adjustments in the management system over the years, the variances in organizational structure hindered a consistent decision making process. Changes in leadership allowed for inconsistency in business strategies in areas such as: outsourcing of manufacturing and labor, inventory consolidation, termination of small sales outlets and unsteady R&D costs.
Alternate Courses of Action
While Apple’s foremost strategies involved innovation and growth, the process of Strategic Management should be carried out systematically and it should begin with the mission statement. Apple
Unit 1: Strategic Management
Apple, Inc.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Strategic Management Case Study Analysis: Apple, Inc.
According to the text Strategic Human Resource Management, the concept of Strategic Management is defined as, “the process by which organizations attempt to determine what needs to be done to achieve corporate objectives and, more important, how these objective are to be met” (Mello, 2011, pg.104). This paper will examine the case study for Apple, Inc. and provide Strategic Management recommendations of how Apple, Inc. can effectively meet its objective of maintaining a viable corporate strategy that results in steady industry success in worldwide PC markets.
Major Issues
Apple has evolved from a leading developer of personal computers to the leader in innovative technology by expanding its business model to include digital music, digital TV and mobile phone platforms. Apple experienced increased distribution and sales with a creative retail strategy to include online retail sales, allowing tremendous growth in becoming one of the top three PC makers in in the US, yet they consistently were unable to grow their worldwide market share above 3% (Delong, 2006). Apple products are premium priced and the applications and platforms were initially developed as proprietary, establishing Apple as an exclusive brand.
With numerous adjustments in the management system over the years, the variances in organizational structure hindered a consistent decision making process. Changes in leadership allowed for inconsistency in business strategies in areas such as: outsourcing of manufacturing and labor, inventory consolidation, termination of small sales outlets and unsteady R&D costs.
Alternate Courses of Action
While Apple’s foremost strategies involved innovation and growth, the process of Strategic Management should be carried out systematically and it should begin with the mission statement. Apple
References: Blodgett, H. (2013) Apple 's 'Mission Statement ' Is Making People Worry That The Company Has Gone To Hell. Business Insider. August 3, 2013 Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/apples-new-mission-statement-2013-8#ixzz31FHglXPV Delong, T. (2006). Strategic Human Resource Management: Apple, Inc. Harvard Business School, 1-32. Mello, J. (2011). Strategic Human Resource Management (3rd ed.). Mason: South-Western Cenage Learning.