Apple Value Chain Analysis

The process of transforming inputs into outputs compromises a number of primary and support activities† (Hill and Jones, 2001, p. 133). Each value is considered to be a source of competitive advantage. In the analysis, the company is being examined exclusively. SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Infrastructure Apple has an unprecedented cash position; in fact, the most cash held by any technological company (Schubarth C. , 2011). It has 97. 6 billion US dollar in cash (Schonfeld E. , 2012) and this allows the company to internally finance any development and expansion without cost of capital. Furthermore, Apple is working on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions that is used in production and transportation by redesigning its packaging relying on renewable energy (O’Reilly J. , 2009). Apple has a multi-functional structure that is flat to allow more flexibility (Apple Inc. 2012). As well as casual dress codes to allow effectiveness and to promote quick decision making and innovation. Human Resource Management Apple is following a lean management style and the philosophy of â€Å"having less is more†. Also Case Study will describe why Apple Inc. is a very successful company. That is Apply intentionally understaffing in order to be more productive and innovative (Sullivan, J. , 2011). Apple, also, has a selective hiring process to attract talented employees. Moreover, Apple offer a generous employee benefit program; as a result, pulling and retaining the industry leading those talented employees to promote the company (Masi B. 2009, p. 13). Technological Development Apple spend enormous amount of money on its Research and Development in order to push innovation further; thus stay ahead of competition. According to figures published in Apple’s 2012 annual report, RD expenditure hits 3. 4 billion US dollars which is nearly 40% increase than 2011 (Brodjanac D. , 2012). Apple as well protects its invention and innovation worldwide by filling patent. Procurement Since Apple is a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), it works to guarantee fair treatment for its workers. In addition, Apple developed an ecosystem of suppliers to benefits from its strong relationships by keeping them close (Masi B. , 2009, p. 13). By doing that, it enables Apple to obtain its products and services within limited timeframe (Apple Inc. , 2012). Apple, occasionally, evaluates its relationships and enhances its suppliers’ ecosystem if needed. Moreover, Apple introduced a Supplier Diversity Program which is mainly for supporting any potential suppliers. This facilitates the visibility of these suppliers and develops the future relationships (Apple Inc. , 2012) PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Inbound Logistics Apple has a partnership with OEM in order to reduce development time, production, material and manufacturing costs. However, Apple supervises the entire process to control its quality (Francisco T. , 2011). Operations Apple outsourced to various Chinese manufacturers in order to employ its economy of scale; as a result eliminate the burden of production management. Apple, also, cooperate with other companies including HP and Samsung (Sherman E. , 2012). Furthermore, Apple designs its products in-house to eliminate production cost (Masi B. 2009, p. 14). Outbound Logistics Apple’s products are being delivered directly to its retail stores around the world to minimize inventory cost. To trim down shipping costs, Apple’s designing team developed packagings that are slim and light yet productive (Apple, 2012). Marketing and Sales Television commercial, online ads and print advertisements campaigns have been successful in promoting the App le’s products and services. Apple has a branding strategy that is emotions’ focused, humorous and simplicity. The ads theme is about lifestyle; innovation, imagination and aspiration (Masi B. , 2009, p. 14). In addition, Apple has a secretive strategy concerning new products or services in order to create suspension and publicity. It, also, sells its products to schools and universities; thus creating an exposure for the product or the service (Inside CRM, 2009). Services Having a great customer experience is fundamental priority for any businesses. Apple is a great example of customer focused; it believes that customer loyalty is a great strength to the company. Apple Genius Bar is one of its main services where customers get the best face to face support (Apple, 2012). Moreover, customers are always welcome for free consultation concerning any issues. Apple, in addition, offer one year warranty and customers then have the choice to purchase an extension warranty (Masi B. , 2009, p. 13). ALL http://www. scribd. com/doc/24134877/Strategic-Analysis-of-Apple-Inc-Brian-Masi Procurement http://www. apple. com/procurement/ Technological http://www. decryptedtech. om/news/apple-increasing-their-investments-in-research-and-development. html HR http://www. ere. net/2011/09/12/talent-management-lessons-from-apple-a-case-study-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-firm-part-1-of-3/ Infra. http://www. bizjournals. com/sanjose/news/2011/07/21/apples-cash-pile-up-16-to-762b. html http://techcrunch. com/2012/01/24/apple-97-6-billion-cash/ http://www. inboundlogistics. com/cms/article/how-green-is-apple/ Marketing sales http://www. insidecrm. com/articles/crm-blog/1 1-effective-strategies-apple-uses-to-create-loyal-customers-53510/ Operation Apple Value Chain Analysis The process of transforming inputs into outputs compromises a number of primary and support activities† (Hill and Jones, 2001, p. 133). Each value is considered to be a source of competitive advantage. In the analysis, the company is being examined exclusively. SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Infrastructure Apple has an unprecedented cash position; in fact, the most cash held by any technological company (Schubarth C. , 2011). It has 97. 6 billion US dollar in cash (Schonfeld E. , 2012) and this allows the company to internally finance any development and expansion without cost of capital. Furthermore, Apple is working on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions that is used in production and transportation by redesigning its packaging relying on renewable energy (O’Reilly J. , 2009). Apple has a multi-functional structure that is flat to allow more flexibility (Apple Inc. 2012). As well as casual dress codes to allow effectiveness and to promote quick decision making and innovation. Human Resource Management Apple is following a lean management style and the philosophy of â€Å"having less is more†. Also Case Study will describe why Apple Inc. is a very successful company. That is Apply intentionally understaffing in order to be more productive and innovative (Sullivan, J. , 2011). Apple, also, has a selective hiring process to attract talented employees. Moreover, Apple offer a generous employee benefit program; as a result, pulling and retaining the industry leading those talented employees to promote the company (Masi B. 2009, p. 13). Technological Development Apple spend enormous amount of money on its Research and Development in order to push innovation further; thus stay ahead of competition. According to figures published in Apple’s 2012 annual report, RD expenditure hits 3. 4 billion US dollars which is nearly 40% increase than 2011 (Brodjanac D. , 2012). Apple as well protects its invention and innovation worldwide by filling patent. Procurement Since Apple is a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), it works to guarantee fair treatment for its workers. In addition, Apple developed an ecosystem of suppliers to benefits from its strong relationships by keeping them close (Masi B. , 2009, p. 13). By doing that, it enables Apple to obtain its products and services within limited timeframe (Apple Inc. , 2012). Apple, occasionally, evaluates its relationships and enhances its suppliers’ ecosystem if needed. Moreover, Apple introduced a Supplier Diversity Program which is mainly for supporting any potential suppliers. This facilitates the visibility of these suppliers and develops the future relationships (Apple Inc. , 2012) PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Inbound Logistics Apple has a partnership with OEM in order to reduce development time, production, material and manufacturing costs. However, Apple supervises the entire process to control its quality (Francisco T. , 2011). Operations Apple outsourced to various Chinese manufacturers in order to employ its economy of scale; as a result eliminate the burden of production management. Apple, also, cooperate with other companies including HP and Samsung (Sherman E. , 2012). Furthermore, Apple designs its products in-house to eliminate production cost (Masi B. 2009, p. 14). Outbound Logistics Apple’s products are being delivered directly to its retail stores around the world to minimize inventory cost. To trim down shipping costs, Apple’s designing team developed packagings that are slim and light yet productive (Apple, 2012). Marketing and Sales Television commercial, online ads and print advertisements campaigns have been successful in promoting the App le’s products and services. Apple has a branding strategy that is emotions’ focused, humorous and simplicity. The ads theme is about lifestyle; innovation, imagination and aspiration (Masi B. , 2009, p. 14). In addition, Apple has a secretive strategy concerning new products or services in order to create suspension and publicity. It, also, sells its products to schools and universities; thus creating an exposure for the product or the service (Inside CRM, 2009). Services Having a great customer experience is fundamental priority for any businesses. Apple is a great example of customer focused; it believes that customer loyalty is a great strength to the company. Apple Genius Bar is one of its main services where customers get the best face to face support (Apple, 2012). Moreover, customers are always welcome for free consultation concerning any issues. Apple, in addition, offer one year warranty and customers then have the choice to purchase an extension warranty (Masi B. , 2009, p. 13). ALL http://www. scribd. com/doc/24134877/Strategic-Analysis-of-Apple-Inc-Brian-Masi Procurement http://www. apple. com/procurement/ Technological http://www. decryptedtech. om/news/apple-increasing-their-investments-in-research-and-development. html HR http://www. ere. net/2011/09/12/talent-management-lessons-from-apple-a-case-study-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-firm-part-1-of-3/ Infra. http://www. bizjournals. com/sanjose/news/2011/07/21/apples-cash-pile-up-16-to-762b. html http://techcrunch. com/2012/01/24/apple-97-6-billion-cash/ http://www. inboundlogistics. com/cms/article/how-green-is-apple/ Marketing sales http://www. insidecrm. com/articles/crm-blog/1 1-effective-strategies-apple-uses-to-create-loyal-customers-53510/ Operation

Week 5 Discussion questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 5 Discussion questions - Essay Example Sometimes management is naà ¯ve and they think that the same rules apply to a company in a large scale. With growth come a lot of hidden costs to monitor a larger operation. Enron was the largest energy producer in the world. The company got so big that a lot of lower level managers and accountants could not see that a huge scam was occurring right beneath their feet. I think that companies are more vulnerable to this phenomenon when they are in their early stages of development due to a lack of economic resources to implement proper internal control mechanisms. I think that employee growth is often not managed well as company start growth. For instances when a company has thousands of employees it become harder to implement control mechanisms to maintain a drug free environment because it is too costly to test all the employees. Firms can only implement random testing of a small population of the employees due to cost constraints. Sometimes firm underestimate the importance of experience and they hire too many college recruits at once. Bad management of human resources complicates human resource issues. I believe that one of the biggest changes in the accounting profession is that accountants have become bigger assets of the managerial staff due to their ability to analyze business information. The utilization of accounting information systems provides companies with precise up to date information that can be used to make informed business decisions. Technology has helped managers and accountants a lot. The accounting profession is changing in the United States due to the influence of new regulations that arrived in the 21st century such as the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002. A branch of accounting that will grow a lot in the near future is auditing and forensic accounting. Sometimes when companies begin to growth they don’t pay adequate attention to their inventory numbers. This

Criminological Theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Criminological Theories - Essay Example Under this theory, a crime is committed after the person has decided to commit the crime out of need for money and other material factors that they thought could enhance their lives. This theory is considered to be connected to the Crime Prevention Theory due to the application of "opportunity prevention techniques" in both theories. The so-called "opportunity prevention techniques" are said to be done to increase the endeavor necessary to a crime, to increase the calculated risks of trepidation, to reduce the probable rewards of a crime, and to remove the reasons that complies with existing laws ("Rational Choice Theory", 2006). Trait theories are derived from a psychological perspective. Perpetrators are said to be different form a "normal" individual because of certain physical and psychological traits. Some of these traits are highly recognizable in individuals that have criminal tendencies and more often than not, crimes are committed because of exposure to society. Therefore, it can be extrapolated that individuals are influenced not only from biological factors but from their own experiences as well. The existence of extroverts and introverts are said to be part of this. theory (Jung, C G., Baynes, H. G., & Baynes, C. F., 1928). Not only that it states in the theory that these traits can easily identify the persons having them but it is also makes it possible to determine their behavior of these individuals in the future. Social structure theories on the other hand states that most people follow the law because they are concerned about their personal commitments and relationships as well as their set of values, norms and beliefs. The more an individual values these factors, the less likely they are to commit a crime. This theory at ways in which criminal tendencies can be reduced, proposing that socialization and social learning will strengthen self-control and prevent anti-social behavior in individuals. This particular theory is based on the Functionalist theory, which has four types of control ("Social Control Theory, 2006"). The first type of control is Direct, which is the application of punishment or rewards towards awful and exemplary behavior respectively. Indirect control, on the other hand is the suppression of crime through one's conscience or superego. The third one is Internal control that establishes control by associating emotional pain and disappointment of one's loved ones or kin whe never he or she commits an unruly act. Finally, Control through needs satisfaction suppresses negative behavior by satisfying the needs of the individual ("Social Control Theory", 2006). The Social process theory seeks to explain the occurrence and suppression of deviant behavior by looking at multiple variables and their combinations. This theory is most applicable to individuals who are most akin to commit deviant actions (Akers, 1973). Groups such as gangs, fraternities and peer groups offer "advantages" and other tempting rewards to encourage individuals to join them (especially young individuals) even if they are known to perform criminally inclined acts. The group could offer psychological advantages such as gaining popularity or material. These advantages are used by the groups as some kind of reinforcement for joining that group. Criminal acts