Read the following case study based on Apple Inc. and answer the questions that follow, not all the answers can be found in the case study, you may be required to conduct additional research.

Strategic Management of Apple, Inc Apple, Inc is a well known name in the computer technology world; Apple, Inc leads the computer industry in innovation thanks to the award winning desktop and notebook computer known as OS X operating system (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). Strategic management is a continuous process that directs an organization to be appropriately suited to its internal and external environment. Strategic management benefits organizations by providing personnel, capital, helps to set standards and most importantly activates people. For an organization to have a successful strategic management plan, the managers must learn to think strategically and have the ability to evaluate their environment and develop new ideas. Steve Jobs one of the founding fathers of Apple Inc used strategic planning to his advantage by making Apples mission a simple one- bringing easy to use computers to the general market, revolutionizing the computer market. In 2007, after thirty years, the organization changed its name from Apple Computer to Apple Inc., this was a significant move because the organization became more independent, and it was no longer known as a vendor to Macintosh personal computer line (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). This strategic move paid off; a year and half later, Apple Inc.s third quarter net profit of $1.07 billion on a $7.46 billion in revenue (Yoffie & Slind, 2008).

Source Available at: https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Strategic-Management-of-Apple-Inc-185493 [Accessed 10 February 2022].

Strategic management at Apple Inc refers to the set of decisions and actions used to formulate and execute strategies that will provide a competitively superior fit between the organization and its environment in order to attain organizational goals (Daft & Marcic, 2010). Strategic management helps managers to make choices about how to position their organizations in the environments with respect to rival companies. Daft & Marcic (2010), thus, says that superior organizational performance is not a matter of luck but it is determined by the choices that managers make. The first step in strategic management is to define an explicit strategy, which is the plan of action that describes resource allocation and activities for dealing with the environments, achieving a competitive advantage and achieving the companys goals (Daft & Marcic, 2010). The essence of formulating strategy at Apple Inc is the choice on how the company will be different. Managers at Apple Inc make decisions about whether the company will perform different activities or will execute the same activities differently than its competitors do. Daft & Marcic (2010) says that strategic management at Apple has changed over the time to fit environmental condition, but to remain competitive Apple Inc has developed strategies that focus on core competencies, develop synergy and create value for its customers over the time. At Apple Inc, strategic management process begins when executives evaluate their current position with respect to mission, goals and strategies (Daft & Marcic, 2010). During strategic management, Apple Inc scans the organizations internal and external environments and identifies strategic factors that might require change.

Source Available at : https://exclusivepapers.com/essays/analytical/strategic-management-processin-apple-inc.php [Accessed 10 February 2022].

Apple Inc.s organizational culture is a key factor in the continuing success of the business. A companys organizational or corporate culture establishes and maintains the business philosophy, values, beliefs, and related behaviors among employees. For example, the companys cultural traits are aligned with the drive for innovation, which is a major factor that determines business competitiveness in the information technology, online services, and consumer electronics industries. Based on the organizational culture, this business condition facilitates the fulfillment of Apple Inc.s corporate mission and vision statements. Through the leadership of Steve Jobs and, now, through the leadership of Tim Cook, the company continues to enhance its cultural characteristics to maximize human resource support for business relevance in various markets around the world. Apple shapes its corporate culture and uses it as a tool for strategic management and success.

Source Available at: http://panmore.com/apple-inc-organizational-culture-features-implications [Accessed 10 February 2022].

Q.2.1 Argue the importance of strategic management for an organisation like Apple Inc. (5)

Q.2.2 Apple Inc. leads the tech industry in innovation, argues the importance of Porters generic competitive strategy of differentiation in relation to the tech giant Apple Inc. (10)