Competitive Advantage and Value Creation Essay
Order ID 53563633773 Type Essay Writer Level Masters Style APA Sources/References 4 Perfect Number of Pages to Order 5-10 Pages Description/Paper Instructions
Competitive Advantage and Value Creation Essay
Running head: APPLE INC. 1
APPLE INC. 5
Apple Inc.
Jared Linscombe
MGT/498
October 3, 2017
Andres Hinojosa
Apple Inc.
Apple Inc. is an American company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs (Machajewski, 2017). Some of the products that Apple Inc. produces include the iPhone, iPad, Apple watch, and the MacBook just to name a few. Apple Inc. is considered one of the largest organizations in the world, with an estimated revenue of nearly 45 billion dollars in 2017. Apple Inc. has been successful in not only establishing a solid brand but also to having the competitive advantage needed to ensure that they are the dominant company in the industry of computer and mobile phone technology.
Environmental Scan
Environmental scanning is a process through which an organization gathers, analyzes, and dispenses information intended to serve a strategic purpose; entails obtaining relevant information in regards to the firm’s environment. Environmental scanning can cover both the internal and external environments of any organization. In the case of Apple Inc., the PESTEL analysis is a viable tool when it comes to the examination of its external environment. Some of the key areas the analysis covers include social, political, technological, and economic analysis (O’Grady, 2009). Technological analysis recognized that Apple Inc. was a trendsetter when it came to the consumer electronic business and had a strong philosophy of innovation. Social analysis, on the other hand, recognized how Apple Inc. acquired other firms, for example, Motorola, to fulfill customer needs.
Evaluation of the internal environment of Apple Inc. can be carried out through the use of a SWOT analysis. Strengths of Apple Inc. include a strong brand image, innovation, and a significant market share. Apple Inc.’s weaknesses include a general lack of control over the organization’s suppliers; its hardware products are only supported by their operating system, the iOS, where Android, its major competitor, for example, functions across various platforms. A change in overall philosophy of the organization since the death of Steve Job can also be considered as a weakness.
Competitive Advantage and Value Creation
Competitive advantage is identified as a condition through which an organization occupies a superior position in comparison to the competitors. Having a competitive advantage implies that the said organization has a significant market share and therefore is highly profitable compared to competitors. Some of the key reasons why Apple Inc. has a competitive advantage can be owed to the company’s hardware and software in its products, its retail strategy, and Apple’s brand and marketing strategy (Schneiders, 2011). Apple Inc. is considered as a software company, known for their Operating System (OS), that is iOS, which In addition to makes great hardware, not only in the personal computer field but In addition to in the smartphone industry with the iPhone.
When it comes to their retail strategy, Apple Inc. ensures that their retail stores are not only strategically located, but In addition to prioritizing. For example, Apple locates most of their retail stores in shopping malls, capitalizing on the consumer’s buying mood. Apple’s competitors have tried opening up their retail stores, and most have been unsuccessful. In addition to, through Apple’s iTunes, the company has been able to revolutionize and become synonymous with the lucrative music industry. At the foundation of Apple’s competitive advantage is the company’s branding strategy. Not only does Apple ensure that their products are aesthetically pleasing, but also to enhance the customer experience which in turn has enabled them to build a loyal following.
At the cornerstone of Apple’s mission is customer satisfaction. The management at Apple recognizes the importance of customer satisfaction as it equates to free marketing through word of mouth, as well increased number of return customers. Apple Inc. has successfully been able to build a loyal customer base, and this can be witnessed whenever the organization launches a new product, by the masses gathered outside waiting for their retail stores to open. In addition to, Apple is an organization that only does a few things, that is, it has placed its main focus on computers and smartphones and in turn has ensured that the products that they give their customers are of the highest quality.
Verification of Strategic Effectiveness
One of the ways through which Apple Inc. has been able to recognize the effectiveness of its strategies is through the number of return and loyal customers. Apple Inc. has been able to create a tribe of followers, an aspect that most other companies have failed to do, in turn ensuring their longevity and success, through their revolutionary products. In addition, Apple Inc. recognizes the importance of specialization, rather than diversification, and this has become a key component in their business plan. Apple ensures that even though they manufacture only a few products, for example, iPhone, iPad, Apple watch, and MacBook’s just to name a few, these products are of the highest quality with included with top-notch specifications.
Effectiveness of the Measurement Guidelines
At the heart of any organization is ensuring that their products are tailored for a specific market and that they satisfy the customer’s needs (Lüsted, 2012). Apple Inc. accomplishes this through the smartphones and personal computers that they unveil to the public. The effectiveness of this strategy cannot be undermined, as Apple chooses to focus its efforts on complete domination on the technological sphere. Even though competitors are following suite, Apple Inc. remains relevant with its innovative products that are always of the highest quality, and this is why most consumers that shift to Apple products rarely go back to other manufacturers.
Conclusion
Since its establishment in 1976, Apple Inc. has developed into one of the largest organizations in the world. The company focuses its efforts in the development of personal computers and smartphones, with innovation forming the foundation of the enterprise. Some of the key areas that have enabled Apple Inc. to have a competitive advantage have to be with its revolutionary hardware and software, retail strategy, and Apple’s brand. When it comes to the examination of Apple’s internal and external environment, the SWOT and PESTEL analysis respectively provides a detailed picture. Strengths of Apple Inc. include a strong brand image, innovation, and a significant market share. The future of Apple Inc. looks quite promising, as the company always fosters to release new products that challenge those produced by the competition. An investment in the company’s stock is also highly encouraged.
References
Lüsted, M. A. (2012). Apple: The Company and its visionary founder, Steve Jobs. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Pub.
Machajewski, S. (2017). Steve Jobs: Founder of Apple Inc.
O’Grady, J. D. (2009). Apple Inc. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Schneiders, S. (2011). Apple’s secret of success – traditional marketing vs. cult marketing. Hamburg: Diplomica-Verl.
R
unning head: APPLE INC.
1
Apple Inc.
Jared Linscombe
MGT/498
October 3, 2017
Andres Hinojosa
Running head: APPLE INC. 1
Apple Inc.
Jared Linscombe
MGT/498
October 3, 2017
Andres Hinojosa
RUBRIC
QUALITY OF RESPONSE NO RESPONSE POOR / UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT Content (worth a maximum of 50% of the total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 20 points out of 50: The essay illustrates poor understanding of the relevant material by failing to address or incorrectly addressing the relevant content; failing to identify or inaccurately explaining/defining key concepts/ideas; ignoring or incorrectly explaining key points/claims and the reasoning behind them; and/or incorrectly or inappropriately using terminology; and elements of the response are lacking. 30 points out of 50: The essay illustrates a rudimentary understanding of the relevant material by mentioning but not full explaining the relevant content; identifying some of the key concepts/ideas though failing to fully or accurately explain many of them; using terminology, though sometimes inaccurately or inappropriately; and/or incorporating some key claims/points but failing to explain the reasoning behind them or doing so inaccurately. Elements of the required response may also be lacking. 40 points out of 50: The essay illustrates solid understanding of the relevant material by correctly addressing most of the relevant content; identifying and explaining most of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology; explaining the reasoning behind most of the key points/claims; and/or where necessary or useful, substantiating some points with accurate examples. The answer is complete. 50 points: The essay illustrates exemplary understanding of the relevant material by thoroughly and correctly addressing the relevant content; identifying and explaining all of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology explaining the reasoning behind key points/claims and substantiating, as necessary/useful, points with several accurate and illuminating examples. No aspects of the required answer are missing. Use of Sources (worth a maximum of 20% of the total points). Zero points: Student failed to include citations and/or references. Or the student failed to submit a final paper. 5 out 20 points: Sources are seldom cited to support statements and/or format of citations are not recognizable as APA 6th Edition format. There are major errors in the formation of the references and citations. And/or there is a major reliance on highly questionable. The Student fails to provide an adequate synthesis of research collected for the paper. 10 out 20 points: References to scholarly sources are occasionally given; many statements seem unsubstantiated. Frequent errors in APA 6th Edition format, leaving the reader confused about the source of the information. There are significant errors of the formation in the references and citations. And/or there is a significant use of highly questionable sources. 15 out 20 points: Credible Scholarly sources are used effectively support claims and are, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition is used with only a few minor errors. There are minor errors in reference and/or citations. And/or there is some use of questionable sources. 20 points: Credible scholarly sources are used to give compelling evidence to support claims and are clearly and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition format is used accurately and consistently. The student uses above the maximum required references in the development of the assignment. Grammar (worth maximum of 20% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 5 points out of 20: The paper does not communicate ideas/points clearly due to inappropriate use of terminology and vague language; thoughts and sentences are disjointed or incomprehensible; organization lacking; and/or numerous grammatical, spelling/punctuation errors 10 points out 20: The paper is often unclear and difficult to follow due to some inappropriate terminology and/or vague language; ideas may be fragmented, wandering and/or repetitive; poor organization; and/or some grammatical, spelling, punctuation errors 15 points out of 20: The paper is mostly clear as a result of appropriate use of terminology and minimal vagueness; no tangents and no repetition; fairly good organization; almost perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage. 20 points: The paper is clear, concise, and a pleasure to read as a result of appropriate and precise use of terminology; total coherence of thoughts and presentation and logical organization; and the essay is error free. Structure of the Paper (worth 10% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 3 points out of 10: Student needs to develop better formatting skills. The paper omits significant structural elements required for and APA 6th edition paper. Formatting of the paper has major flaws. The paper does not conform to APA 6th edition requirements whatsoever. 5 points out of 10: Appearance of final paper demonstrates the student’s limited ability to format the paper. There are significant errors in formatting and/or the total omission of major components of an APA 6th edition paper. They can include the omission of the cover page, abstract, and page numbers. Additionally the page has major formatting issues with spacing or paragraph formation. Font size might not conform to size requirements. The student also significantly writes too large or too short of and paper 7 points out of 10: Research paper presents an above-average use of formatting skills. The paper has slight errors within the paper. This can include small errors or omissions with the cover page, abstract, page number, and headers. There could be also slight formatting issues with the document spacing or the font Additionally the paper might slightly exceed or undershoot the specific number of required written pages for the assignment. 10 points: Student provides a high-caliber, formatted paper. This includes an APA 6th edition cover page, abstract, page number, headers and is double spaced in 12’ Times Roman Font. Additionally, the paper conforms to the specific number of required written pages and neither goes over or under the specified length of the paper. GET THIS PROJECT NOW BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO PLACE THE ORDER
CLICK ON THE LINK HERE: https://www.perfectacademic.com/orders/ordernow
Also, you can place the order at www.collegepaper.us/orders/ordernow / www.phdwriters.us/orders/ordernow
Do You Have Any Other Essay/Assignment/Class Project/Homework Related to this? Click Here Now [CLICK ME]and Have It Done by Our PhD Qualified Writers!!