Introduction
Apple Inc. is a technology firm founded in 1976. Since its formation, the corporation has expanded its business operation across the world. Currently, the business organization has several stores in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia, and North American markets. Despite rapid changes in the technology industry, Apple has managed to remain one of the best-performing entities in the sector. The success of the company is significantly influenced by the utilization of fundamental principles of management which has made the firm operate differently compared to its peers in the market. In addition, Apple has properly aligned its mission and vision with the company’s objectives making it easier to work in harmony toward achieving them. Proper and effective management practices that encompass all aspects of Apple’s business operations, including decision-making strategies and principles of management, are essential to its success in the industry.
Profile of Apple Inc. Company
Generally, the performance of a business organization is significantly influenced by its mission and vision statements. Apple business organization has been restructuring its mission and vision to suit its intended objectives. Currently, the company’s mission states “to bring the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services,” (Edeh et al., 2021, 74). The statement informs the firm’s employees and other concerned stakeholders that the focus of the business organization is to develop effective products that will meet the needs of its consumers. In Apple, the company has its mission on the firm’s website and written on the offices. The approach is to ensure workers are constantly reminded of the corporation’s goals. Similarly, Apple’s vision plays a significant role in influencing the firm’s progress. It states that “We believe that we are on the face of the earth to make great products, and that’s not changing,” (Edeh et al., 2021, 74). Apple has its vision well written on the company’s website where employees can easily access and remind themselves of the firm’s objectives.
Role of Management in Executing Strategic Management
In a business organization, management plays a significant role in facilitating the execution of strategic plans. The leadership of Apple Company under Tim Cook has enabled the giant company to improve its performance in the electronic industry. Since he took over from Steve Jobs, Cook has managed to influence the management style in the organization whereby managers are allowed to control and oversee the operations in their respective divisions. By relying on the vertical integration approach, the firm managed to increase its revenue from $6 billion to approximately $28 billion in the 2021 financial year (Hollister, 2021). Apple has expanded its operations since it has been able to control the component parts and the end products as well.
How Management has Influenced Organizational Culture
Organizational culture significantly influences the performance of the business. Under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple Company has made essential steps in creating values, practices, and beliefs that allow the firm to remain innovative in the industry. For instance, through his democratic management approach, Cook has created a positive relationship with the employees in the corporation. The connection has enabled workers to develop a sense of belonging and thus feel motivated (Voukaris, 2019). In addition, Cook usually takes time and listens to the issues affecting the staff members and then formulates effective measures to curb the challenges. Moreover, Cook builds trust with his top managers; hence he allows them to manage key aspects of Apple’s operation. Such practices have enabled the executives to contribute brilliant ideas enhancing the innovative nature of the firm.
Role of Management in Decision-Making
In order to operate a business effectively and efficiently, the management team must undertake strategic decisions to facilitate the operation processes to achieve success. Failure to prudently make a decision, a company might experience losses, conflicts, and even the collapse of the established entity. In the case of Apple, the management decided to comply with ethical practices in the industry. Therefore, despite the situation faced by the company, its business operations will not interfere with the well-being of people (Hollister, 2021). For example, on matters of quality management, operations management is focused on ensuring the quality and standards of the products manufactured by the firm. The company uses a rational decision-making model to ensure the right choice is made. The chief executive officer (CEO) defines the issue then managers are involved in finding the optimal solution to the underlying challenge.
Functions of the Management in the Organization
Apple’s key functions of management, such as staffing, planning, organizing, controlling, and even leading, have been impacted by the ethical culture in the company. The CEO has always advocated for diversity in the firm, which makes the company eliminate discrimination in its staffing. The CEO made it clear through leading that Apple is open to everyone despite their origin, appearance, religion, or marital status. The aspect has created an atmosphere of inclusivity and togetherness, allowing the employees to give their best services to the firm.
How Apple Strategically Uses its Human Resources to Develop Personnel
Apple Company offers its employees education and other relevant training programs to enhance their skills and knowledge. The human resource approach has enabled the firm to be in a position to address challenging customer issues related to the products (Schaarschmidt, Homscheid & Kilian, 2019). Furthermore, the company has the tendency of motivating its workers through promoting best performers. The tactic allows the firm to facilitate the commitment and determination of employees as most of them work smart to earn the elevation.
Conclusion
How Apple Utilizes Fundamental Principles of Management to Promote Optimal Performance
The management of Apple firm uses the principles such as division of work, discipline, and remuneration. For instance, in the organization, the duties are segregated among employees based on their skills and area of specialization. The group in charge of making software does not engage in making hardware. The practice facilitates maximum output as workers do what they understand. Furthermore, Apple is known for firing staff members who go against company rules. The approach ensures there is a high level of discipline in the workplace. In addition, when staff productivity decreases, the management tends to give benefits and other bonuses to increase workers’ morale. The tactics are crucial in enabling Apple to achieve its intended objectives in the market.
Apple’s Decision-Making Strategies
In a company, the process of decision-making is linked to all the functioning departments. Before establishing an agreement, the CEO makes proper planning that involves all the division managers. During the process, the executives create awareness of what need to be done. After developing the plan, the team engages in organizing how the proposed strategy is to be executed. This process is follows a chain of command that is from the CEO, managers, to juniors. For example, Apple usually makes arrangement with the research and development team especially when it wants to test or research about new technology worth incorporating in the products it offers. Under such circumstances, the supervisors decide and allocate each personnel its responsibility. Same case is applicable to other departments within the firm. In addition, the company has a formal way of deciding on whom to lead a given team. The approach is to ensure there is proper alignment and hierarchy in the organization. Furthermore, there is respective division in charge of control and ensuring the products are of quality.
References
Edeh, F. O., Teoh, K. B., Murugan, Y., Kee, D. M. H., Wong, J., Wong, X. S., Maheswaran, Y. & Jacinta, O. B. (2021). Contributing factors to Apple’s sustainability in Malaysia’s information and communication technology industry. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education (APJME), 4(2), 74-84. Web.
Hollister, S. (2021). Tim Cook’s Apple, ten years later. Web.
Schaarschmidt, M., Homscheid, D., & Kilian, T. (2019). Application developer engagement in open software platforms: An empirical study of Apple iOS and Google Android developers. International Journal of Innovation Management, 23(04), 1950033. Web.
Voukaris, A. (2019). Analyzing employee reviews: Google vs Amazon vs Apple vs Microsoft, Web.