MTIMP Assignment On Apple Inc

Management theory into management practice, Apple inc. case, module: mod001127, SID: 1230580
Management Theory into Management Practice Assignment

Module: MOD001127
Year 2013
SID Number: 1230580
Module Leader: Roger Jeynes

Apple Inc. Case

Word Count:
2,985

Table of content:
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
2. External Environment………………………………………………………………………….…..4 2.1. Basic Characteristics of the Environment - market definition, size, growth and share…………4

2.2. PEST Analysis…………………………………………………………………..………………………………………..……………5 2.2.1. Political Factors………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 2.2.2. Economic Factors…………………………………………………………………………………………………..………6 2.2.3. Social Factors…………………………………………………………………...……...6 2.2.4.Technological Factors………………………………….........................………………6 2.3. Competitor Analysis…………………………………………………………………………..6 2.4. Analysis of industry competition……………………………………………………………..8 2.4.1. Intensity of rivalry within the industry…………………………………………….…..8 2.4.2. Bargaining power of suppliers………………………………………………………....8 2.4.3. The bargaining power of buyer………………………………………………………...8 2.4.4. Threat of new entrance…………………………………………………………………….9 2.4.5. Threat of substitute product…………………………………………………………...…...9
3. Internal Analysis……………………………………………………………………………………..9 3.1. Financial Analysis……………………………………………………………………………….9 3.2. SWOT Analysis………………………………………………………………………………….12 3.2.1. Strengths…………………………………………………………………………………..12 3.2.2. Weaknesses………………………………………………………………………………13 3.2.3. Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………13 3.2.4. Threats……………………………………………………………………………………13
4. Strategies used by Apple……………………………………………………………………………..14 4.1. Differentiation……………………………………………………………………………….…14 4.2. Value Creation by Focus and Cost Leadership……………………………………………….14
5. Conclusion and Recommendation………………………………………………………………….14
6. Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………16

1. Introduction
Apple Inc. is an international American company that produces computer software, cell phones, personal computers and consumer electronic products. The well-known products of Apple include: the iPod, the iPhone, the Macintosh line of computers and the iPad. 301 retail stores in 10 countries are operated by Apple in August 2010. The software of Apple consist on the Mac OS X operating system, iWork suite of productivity software, Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio a music production tool’s suite, iOS; a mobile operating system, the iTunes media browser, the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity s oftware, Aperture; a professional photography package, AirPlay, Airprint, etc (Business Insider, 2013).
Apple Company was developed on 1st April, 1976 by the co-founders named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in Cupertino, California. The first 30 years of the company was named Apple Computer Inc. but later on January 9, 2007, the word “Computer” has removed (Business Insider, 2013). They introduced Apple I computer in 1976 which was a failure but in 1980, they launched Apple II which was successful. The IPO offered by the company in 1980 (Datamonitor, 2006).
The purpose of this assignment is to critically analyze the context within which the company operates by analyzing the external and internal environment. In order to achieve this different analytical tools and models will be applied. Then the objectives and strategy of Apple will be identified and evaluated. There will be examples of the implementation of the strategy at the end.
2. External Environment
The external factors can be evaluated using PEST because PEST analysis is valuable strategic tool for identifying the business positions, size, growth, feasible route for operations and to classifying the market development and decline (Kotler, n.d.).

2.1. Basic Characteristics of the Environment - market definition, size, growth and share

Apple is defined as the leading digital asset management company and global smart phone provider. It is the only one who generates and runs both soft-wares and hard-wares. It allows consumers to buy and share contents (applications, music and movies) via Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, Mac and iPod) by a exclusive selling media platform called iTunes (Digital Marketing, 2011).

In 2012, Apple’s CEO (Tim Cook) said that we are very excited with the sales of iPhone over 35 million and approximately 12 million sale of iPads in March quarter. He also said that the innovative iPad is off to an immense beginning with new innovation that can deliver only by Apple (Burns, 2012).

Moreover, the sales of iPad, Mac and iPhones have increased by 188% and 7%, correspondingly. On the other hand, iPod sale was down by 15%. The numbers in Q2, 2012 are down as compared to Q1, 2012 when Apple smashed all its previous records as you can see in Figure 1. In that period Apple sold 5.2 million Macs, 15.43 million iPads and 37.04 million iPhones, even iPod sold well with 15.4 million units (Burns, 2012).

Figure 1: Market Growth by units sold in millions in 2012

According to IDC’s report (Q1 2012) that in a two horse race with Samsung, Apple was on the second place in global with the notable growth of 8.8% of total cell phone market ( 4.6% up from a year ago) and 24.2% of worldwide Smartphone market (18.3% up), as you can see in table 1 (Kahn, 2012).

Table 1: Top 5 Smartphone Vendors, Market Share, Shipments in 2012

2.2. PEST Analysis
To gain an understanding of Apple’s business potential, direction of operation and to know situation of future market, we will use PEST analysis.
2.2.1. Political Factors
There are many problems which cannot be controllable by the company such as; geopolitical uncertainties, war against terrorism, authority to work and health issues which can affect the sale of Apple’s product worldwide. As to reduce operating cost Apple has outsourced in different countries like Ireland, China, Korea, Czech Republic and Cork. If these countries face any political instability or any problem which causes to delay in manufacturing operations, will led to spoil the Apple likeness in the eye of consumers and its dealers (CNetnews 2012).
2.2.2. Economic Factors
Purchasing power depends on the World’s economic conditions. According to past few years, unemployment rate is very high in many countries which cause to decrease the sale of Apple products. Another reason was increase in oil prices which causes inflation in world’s economy. As a result of these economic factors, purchasing power of people reduced which negatively affected the sale of Apple products due to its higher price. But now world’s economic conditions are getting better and company has purchased itself foreign currencies, so Apple revenue has increased in the global market (Apple Inc 2012).
2.2.3. Social Factors
Two factors always have been on forefront of Apple product throughout the history, the design and the quality. The purchasing of luxury products have gone up because the purchasing power of consumers has risen in different market across the world and people prefer to buy iPod, iPhones and latest technology iPad. As music industry growth has increased which is the biggest social influence on Apple because the main essential music store is iTunes. Therefore, Apple has gained so much from social factors because it’s defining a individual’s modern lifestyle.
2.2.4. Technological Factors
Apple always takes advantage because of its innovative and high technologies products. The large amount has invested in research and development field by Apple, that’s the reason Apple comes in top of the new innovative products.
2.3. Competitor Analysis
As everyone knows that Apple is a big industry and it is running so many products. Here are some key competitors of Apple, according to cell phone industry and other products are following: Google, HPQ (Hewlett-Packard Company), RIM, Samsung, HTC and Nokia. As you can see smartphone competitors in figure 2, and Apple’s revenue, gross profit margin, earning per share, price earning and net income with its direct competitor’s in table 2.

Table 2: Direct Competitors Comparison in Billion. Figure 2: Apple’s cell phone competitors:

2.4. Analysis of industry competition
Competition in a given industry is defined by the Micheal Porter’s five competitive forces shown in figure 3. This model can help to evaluate the impact on Apple and its ability to compete in market.
Figure 3: Micheal Porter’s five competitive forces

2.4.1. Intensity of rivalry within the industry
The first force of five forces of Michael Porter’s model is intensity on rivalry with in the industry. The Apple Company has done a great job by providing technical support, creating customer loyalty and producing products. So Apple has not worry about that factor because Apple products never go on sale. It maintains its productivity without ever marking down a product by generating superior products from Android phones, rival tablets and eReaders gaining market share with lower prices (Loma, 2012).
2.4.2. Bargaining power of suppliers
Bargaining power of suppliers can make the profits down of Apple by indicating high prices for supplies (Sethi, 2012). Thus, the company looking for new suppliers because there is no doubt that Apple Company is still growing. The company allows new suppliers to reduce the bargaining power of suppliers by registering online on the Apple’s website. As a result of this Apple can decrease their bargaining power through more competitive among large number of suppliers (Apple, 2010).
2.4.3. The bargaining power of buyer
The Apple Company should meet the expectations of their customers in order to achieve the majority shares of market by different segments which come from educational level, age and income (Gilligan & Wilson, 2003). One another thing is that buyers are more prices sensitive and they can switch to another retailer if the products are not differentiated (Smith, 2006). Google provides the competition in overall Smartphone and tablet market because Blackberry manufacturer (RIM), who was considered as a market leader of Smartphone, now, has only 1 percent of the American market (Travlos, 2012). Apple holds around 75% of profit in industry so the chances of Apple’s customer to switch another brand are very less because of its strong brand loyalty. Whereas, competition is very high now a days and competing companies trying to attract new customers because this has been done by picking off RIM again, climb of nokia and Android’s rise (Travlos, 2012).
2.4.4. Threat of new entrance
Entering more companies in the market means decreasing the market share of Apple (Hill and Jones, 2009). Company can maintain the market share and generate profit through differentiation of brand and product as well as making strong marketing strategy like competitive advantage (Kurtz et al, 2007). As a new company it is very difficult to compete a company like Apple which has a strong brand image, innovation, perceived value and good customer services (Term Paper Warehouse).
2.4.5. Threat of substitute product
If the need of consumers is same then the product can be substituted otherwise not (Campbell et al, 2002). Therefore, threat of substitute might have two factors (price and performance) which allows customer to switch the product as well as willingness of buyers to switch. Threat of substitute can be reduced as much as buyers become loyal to the products (Campbell, 2002). No company can present an “ecosystem” which has created by Apple. People buy iPhone for standard, apps and other Apple’s product for upgradeability and stability which gives customer the ability to transfer knowledge and apps among devices (Segan, 2012).
3. Internal Analysis
3.1. Financial Analysis
According to result of Apple’s 2012 Q1 continues to impress. The reason is increased in revenue from $24,7 billion to $39,2 billion or by 59% as contrasted with 2011 Q1. Quarterly Net income before depreciation increases from $6,4 billion to $12,4 billion which is also caused by high revenue, as you can see in figure 4.
Figure 4: Revenue of Apple in billion, 2012

By geographically companies sales are improved, which is 1/3rd of sales are from Asia and 1/3rd is from US. These regions have highest expected growth as compared to Europe who just accounted for 22%. The market has grown in Asia because the sales from Asia have doubled from 2011 and most of the revenue came from Apple iPhone which was 58%; it means iPhone sales ha increased by +85%. Moreover, the iPad growth has increased by 17% which means the revenue has increased by +132%. On the other hand, Mac and iPod were less in growth as shown in figure 5 (Financial Analysis, 2012).
Figure 5: Revenue by Geography and Segment, 2012

Shares of Apple in mobile market and tablet market have increased from 48% to 60 %, which is far better than its competitors (Google Android). Google’s share has enlarged just from 15 to 19%. The result was positive in general as shown in figure 6 (Financial Analysis, 2012)
Figure 6: Growth in Shares of Apple and Competitors, 2012

Equity level did not affect the high return which was 45% and without effecting it has increased by 68%. Company’s equity should not be increase in future, since the company has announced the dividend and share repurchases. Apple’s liquidity ratios is 1,6 which is good f or company and the cash surplus was $110 billion which has improved from$97 billion from Q4 (Financial Analysis, 2012).
Figure 7: Return on Equity and Equity Level, 2012

Inventory and A/C receivable are nominal as liabilities, so no other changes happened at balance sheet. In general, the structure of balance is strong.

Figure 3: Share Value

The basic share value of Apple Company was ~109$ and the market price was ~610$ in 2012. Earning should be roughly $52 billion/year or $55,6 per share, if calculating Net income earlier than reduction according to last quarter, which makes it ~9 year, however indicator was quit high (Financial Analysis, 2012).

3.2. SWOT Analysis
Apple Company intends, produces cell phones, personal computers, music players and related services, networking solutions, peripherals and software. The company’s market position can be measured by its strong operating performance, which has also increased the confidence of investors. On the other hand, company’s margins can be affected by extreme competition (Data monitor, 2006).
Table 4: SWOT Analysis of Apple

3.2.1. Strengths
The major strength of Apple has its strong market position and consumer trustworthiness which raises due to “Apple’s ecosystem”, which in turn to increases Company’s competitive advantage. Second, Apple has a full variety of software, products and apps which are interlinked and maintain each other. Third, iTV and other new products will be released soon.
In 2012, 3rd time Apple chosen as the most pioneering company in the world.
At the end of 2012, Apple holds approximately $10,000,000,000 in cash. Company has no debts and the gross profit margin is also higher than its competitors.
Apple was the second valuable brand in 2012 and its brand value was at $76.5 billion.
High quality customer experience is a key of Apple’s retail store by providing a direct speak to well-informed staff which increases brand awareness.

3.2.2. Weaknesses
High price is the major weakness of Apple because there is a strong completion in market now, and the consumer of Apple products can easily obtain the similar function products by its competitors in a lower price.
Decreasing market share can be caused to less influence its customers to using closed ecosystem of Apple.
Apple Company is often blamed by other companies to disobeying their patents and also it has lost some trials as well. Such type of things can damage Apple’s reputation in market.
In 2012, Tim Cook became a new CEO because of the death of Steve Jobs, which was the biggest loss for Apple Company. After some time John Browett and Scott Forstall left the firm, this will have a negative impact on management.
In tech industry, Apple’s gross profit margin is highest but according to fear of forecasters that Apple’s current margin will not be continued due to increasing in prices and tough competition.
3.2.3. Opportunities
Apple’s market share will be increase due to high demand of iPad and iPad mini in tablet market and this will help company to use as competitive advantage.
Apple TV sales will be increased by the launch of iTV which will release soon.
Smartphone and tablet markets are growing which is a good opportunity for Apple to expand their market share in these markets.
Collecting damages from competitors because companies sometimes violated Apple’s patent. So such types of factors can be used by Apple as to damage the competitor’s image on market and collecting damages from them will led to increase cash reserves as well.
The growth of mobile advertising is an opportunity and Apple allows advertising on iPod touch, iPhone and iPad by developing the platform named iAd advertising.
The requirement of cloud based services is increasing, so Apple can enlarge its services relate to iCloud and software as well (Strategic Management Insight, 2013).
3.2.4. Threats
Rapid technological change is the biggest threat which Apple and its competitors are experiencing now days. As customers are become more technology lover and they want more and more new products in very short time due to this, companies are facing pressure. So competition is very high and the one who cannot remain themselves with rivalry shortly be unsuccessful.
Increment in Tax in USA will affect the Apple’s growth.
Samsung is the only one who provides application processors to Apple and it has asked to pay higher price for it. It should be asked Apple to pay more because there are no feasible substitutes who could provide Apple to application processors (jung, 2012).
The main competitor of iOS is Android OS in mobile market. The power of Apple iOS can be dominated by Android OS. Availability of wide range of music stores like Wal-Mart, Amazon and online music companies like sound cloud and spotify will threat for Apple music store.
4. Strategies used by Apple

Figure 8: Porter’s model of generic strategies

4.1. Differentiation
Apple is using a differentiation strategy by presenting an outstanding design of its products, personalized services and high quality products. The easiness of product makes target market varying from beginner to proficient users.
4.2. Value Creation by Focus and Cost Leadership
Apple has outsourced his production as to reduce its operating cost to third party through vast economies of scale. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is the company that Apple has outsourced with. Apple focuses on user interface and industrial design to making a product that not only the highly innovative but also the user-friendly and stylish in nature. Apple has a command on higher price than average price due to highly personalized and people friendly devices.

5. Conclusion and Recommendation
In brief Apple Company is very innovative and early adapters and it is typically the foremost company who takes new innovative products as compared to other companies. These types of things usually considered as more risky but it appears to be functioning as Apple’s advantage. Strong market position and consumer loyalty which increases due to closed ecosystem and user friendly products makes different to Apple Company from its competitors.
Another most important factor is that the Apple Company is the “First most admired company” in the world. Whereas, it is also credited to first sustainable music downloading business model in history by its ipod and iTunes online media store.
Apple is a profitable company and its future is bright. But Apple should be careful in legal and political areas because as to reduce operating cost it has outsourced in different countries and it has to find different alternate to reduce the risk as Apple buys application processor from Samsung which can create a problem for it.

6. Bibliography
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