Market Structures
Joshua Konieczka
Eco/365
June 8, 2015
Dennis McGuckian
Apple, Inc. Info
Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and
Ronald Wayne
Originally produced just computers and software
Expanded into mobile devices (iPod, iPad, iPhone)
Monopolistic Competition or
Oligopoly
Monopolistic Competition- a market structure in which there are few barriers for entry and there are many buyers and sellers of different products
Oligopoly- a market structure in which there are few firms and firms take the response of other firms into account Smartphone- Monopolistic
Competitive
Many competing firms in the SmartPhone market
All products are differentiated
Samsung, Sony-Ericsson, HTC, Nokia, are just a few of the brands of Smartphones
Mobile OS- Oligopoly
3 main firms in mobile operating system market
Android OS (Google)
Windows (Microsoft)
iOS (Apple)
All firm decisions are influenced by the others
iOS and iPhone are only available together- competitive advantage Entry Level Devices
To appeal to a larger consumer base
Profit is still high (only costs approx $250 to create an iPhone) Lower price- higher quantity demanded
Distribution- Mobile Companies
AT&T and Verizon- Large Cellular companies for the higher end phones
T-Mobile and Sprint- Smaller cellular companies for the lower end phones
Allows Apple to provide options for consumers Competitive Advantage- The Apple
Ecosystem
Apple has a distinct advantage in having an already established ecosystem
Apple TV, iPods, iPhone, iPads, and Mac PCs
Run from a single marketplace- iTunes
Offers an advantage over other OS firms since having one Apple device offers a greater advantage by going with more Apple products
Staying Ahead- Competitive
Advantage
Apple is two years ahead of the competition
Apple spent $1.18 billion on Research and Development in 2013
Innovative technology appeals to all consumers
Conclusion
References: 6 reasons why Apple is so successful. (2014, May). Time.com, (), . Retrieved from http://techland.time.com/2012/05/07/six-reasons-why-apple-is-successful/ Colander, D. C. (2013). Microeconomics (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hills/Irwin. Spendy but indispensable: Breaking down the full $650 cost of the iPhone 5 (2013, July). Digital Trends, (), . Retrieved from http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-cost-what-apple-is-paying/ What Apple Must Do To Survive. (2014). Retrieved from http://What Apple Must Do To Survive Apple Gazette. (2014.). Retrieved from http://www.applegazette.com/opinion/what-apple-must-doto-survive/