Business Problems in NetApp, Inc. Company - Case Study Example

First Number Research and Analysis of Business Problems in NetApp, Inc. Company Table of Contents EXCECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANISATION 6 CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS 7 Weaknesses 10 Opportunities 10 Threats 11 Political 12 Economic 12 Social 13 Technology 13 Legal 14 Environment 14 PROBLEM ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTION 14 Power of Buyers 15 Power of Suppliers 16 Competitive Rivalry 16 Threat of New Entrants 16 Threat of Substitute Products 17 SOLUTIONS, EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 19 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 21 CONCLUSION 23 BIBLIOGRAPHY 25 APPENDIX 27 EXCECUTIVE SUMMARY The research study, intends to identify and analyze the problems of Network Appliance Incorporation. Moreover, the research study aims to recognize the market situation of the organization along with its industry size as well as its captured market share in a competitive market position through the help of the several analyses. Apart from this, the study has also tried to identify the competitive advantage of the organization in the global market place through the help of market analysis. In this regard, this particular research study emphasized on identifying the internal and external market situation of the Network Appliance Incorporation (NAI) with the aim of classifying the organizational strengths and weaknesses including its opportunities and threats. The analysis also revealed that NAI emphasized upon enhancing new products as well as services for growth and competitive advantage. Moreover, based on the analysis, the research study recommended several strategies to NAI with the aim of enhancing its efficiency in terms of its products and services. The study has also revealed that the success of NetApp is due to its strong market analysis and decision to collaborate with the main players for greater knowledge about the market. Moreover, from the industrial and environmental analysis highlighted that the even without outsourcing NetApp have a strong control over its production by maintaining a strong supplier relation. Finally, the research study highlighted about the various implementation plan for the organization along with ethical consideration and time scale. Hence, suggestively, through the assistance of high commitment level towards customers’ needs and expectations, NAI can maintain its competitive advantages in the global market. NetApp should also continue using advanced technologies to address the needs of the customers and acquire the intended proportion of the market share. Expectedly, by following these recommendations, and with the assistance of wide range of products, the organization will be able to capture a larger proportion of market share in the competitive market position. Additionally, the organization can also contribute its effort towards the industry for attaining growth by following these recommended strategies. OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANISATION Network Appliance Incorporation (NAI) is an American public limited company, which is operating its business function in the data-storage device industry. After its establishment in 1992, the organization has expanded its business functions worldwide. The organization has become globally renowned due to exceptional computer storage and data management related products and services it offers, NetApp being one of the prime. Through NetApp, NAI has established technical partnerships with number of leading Information Technology (IT) vendors with the aim of enhancing its recognition in the global market place. In this context, several organisations such as BMC, Citrix, Microsoft, Oracle Corporation, SAP AG and Apple incorporation among others have offered their supporting hand towards the NetApp. Recently, during the year 2012, it has also been revealed that the organization has established its business alliance with Cisco and VMware as an "Imagine Virtually Anything" with the aim of ensuring customers security related issues by providing better security in case of cloud environments (NetApp, “Partner Directory”). The organisation has also listed its name in the US Stock Exchange market as a part of ‘NASDAQ-100’ constituent. Moreover, the organisation has specifically focused on the customers business related problems during operating its business operations. At the same time, the organization also is also committed to ensure its sustainability and maintain its competitive advantage in the global market through providing better priority to its consumers. Recent observations in this context further revealed that NetApp has positioned its brand image on the third sport in case of network storage industry. Moreover, approximately 12,650 employees are operating their operations with NetApp in around global market. Based on this, NetApp has witnessed $ 6,332.4 million net revenue during the financial year 2012-2013 (NetApp, “United States Securities And Exchange Commission”). In this research paper, the aim is to identify the challenges faced by the organisation during its operation. Moreover, through the help of this research study, the aim is to recognize the potential solution of those challenges. In this regard, it will be highly essential to identify the potential solution based on academic argument. At the same time, it will also be essential to evaluate, whether the decision-making will effectively be able to address the problems. Additionally, the research study will also try to analyse, whether the allocation of corporate resources will assist NetApp Incorporation to accomplish success in the global market during its business operations. CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS In the current phenomenon, NetApp has emphasized towards its organisational culture with the aim of enhancing competitive advantages in the global market. The organization has also been successful in establishing a strong foundation in terms of its culture in order to retain its competencies in the global market place. In this regard, NetApp has profoundly hired skilled and most talented as well as committed employees with the aim of sufficing the expectations and needs of its customers. When conducting the business operations, the organization has contributed its utmost effort to ensure the expectation level of its business partners as well as shareholders (NetApp, “Being a Model Company Is at the Heart of Our Culture”). According to the analysis of the mission and vision of NetApp Incorporation, the organization is highly dedicated about its culture of collaboration as well as trust. It is also committed towards generating values and ensuring excellence with the aim of attaining success in its business. In order to accomplish its objective, NetApp has also concentrated towards preserving the excellence of its workplace. Moreover, NetApp is also globally renowned due to its core values such as trust and integrity, leadership, adaptability and teamwork among others (NetApp, “Being a Model Company Is at the Heart of Our Culture”). Fig. 1: Mission and Vision of NetApp (Source: NetApp, “Being a Model Company Is at the Heart of Our Culture”) Stating specifically, the organization has emphasised towards attracting as well as retaining the performance-oriented talented and skilled employees in the organisation with the aim of enhancing the capability of thriving challenge. Moreover, NetApp believes in supportive working environment with the aim of enhancing the capability of achieving success and thereby, enhancing the contribution towards the society. The organisation has thoroughly focused towards its products and services along with its business relationships with aim of driving customer success through brand loyalty and its deliverance capabilities. Besides, NetApp has also tried to enhance the capability of producing innovation and superior solutions for its customers with the aim of ensuring its competitive advantage in the global market. Additionally, the organisation has tried to enhance its market share and revenue proportion in order to guarantee its sustainability in the competitive market position. Nevertheless, a major strategic gap identified in this context is the failure of NetApp to properly align its organizational competencies with the opportunities present in the industry, which has in turn inhibited its leadership potentials in turn (NetApp, “Being a Model Company Is at the Heart of Our Culture”). SWOT Analysis. In order to determine the internal factors of NetApp, it will be vital to apply ‘SWOT’ analysis method for better understanding the current situation of the organisation. According to Pinder, NetApp is one of the strongest players in the global market due to its wide range of products in case of data-storage device industry. It is in this regard that these organizations have implemented several strategies with the aim of maintaining its leadership in the global market place. However, during the business operation these organizations faced several challenges from its competitors, which certainly indicate towards the strategic gaps persistent in its operational procedures. At the same time, these organisations have also witnessed a range of opportunities during its operations for future development and more market share, as discussed below. Strengths According to observation, it has recognised that the organisation has maintained strong brand equity in the global market place by providing the efficient and effective storage solution to its consumers. Correspondingly, the main strength of NetApp is its research and development department through which the organization improves its product quality. Similarly, introducing innovative thoughts in the business process is a one of the major strengths of the organisation. Apart from this, the management of the organisation is quite harsh, which enhanced the values of NetApp. Additionally, the organisation is quite efficient in terms of its supply chain management system. Furthermore, positive working environment has also influenced the performance of the organization (Pinder 4-5). Weaknesses Even after wide range of products and presence of highly acquired technology, NetApp has struggled to ensure its leading market share in the global market. Moreover, high proportion of long-term debt has become one of the weaknesses of the organization. On the other hand, NetApp has struggled in the global market due to the lack of adequate abilities and skills of its workforce, limiting its forecasting accuracy in identifying the future trends, which is necessary to obtain competitive market advantages. This also indicates the gap of the company to ensure adequate innovation in its strategic framework, which could have in turn, enhanced its sustainability potentials to a substantial extent. Poor merchandising process and higher level of competition have also influenced several difficulties and challenges for NetApp (Harrison 200-250). Opportunities Expansion in the emerging markets has emerged as a prime opportunity for the organisation. Besides, during the contemporary era, the demand of data-storage has enhanced throughout the world, which has become a potential opportunity for the organisation. Simultaneously, innovation approach of NetApp and the trend of the new products development have enhanced the opportunity of the organisation in the global market. Moreover, the presence of intermediary and wholesaler has enhanced the opportunity for the organisation to distribute the products among the targeted consumer segments directly, which has lead towards the generation of higher opportunity for the NetApp (Harrison 200-250). Threats On the contrary, increasing competition has become one of the key threats for NetApp. In addition, limited number of supplier has also become a threat for the organisation. Moreover, American and European economic downfalls have hampered the growth of the organization, increasing threat for the NetApp (Harrison 200-250). To be noted in this context, Strategic gaps, as identified in the previous sections, have enhanced the level of difficulty for the NetApp, which has hampered the growth and profitability of the organization. ‘PESTLE’ Analysis. On the other hand, in order to identify the external environment of NetApp, it will be highly essential to implement the ‘PESTLE’ analysis method for better understanding the current situation of the organisation. According to the viewpoint of Pinder, external environmental factors are highly essential for a business organisation such as market environment, competitors, and intermediaries, social environmental, legal, political and technological environment among others. In this regard, external factors can also influence the business performance of an organisation in a massive manner. The most important external factor is market, which has the potential of influencing the performance of an organisation largely with respect to the preferences as well as satisfaction level of customers. Market competition can also affect the performance of an organization by establishing challenges in order to attain a better competitive position. Intermediaries also affect the performance of an organisation in relation to procurement of materials and supply of products. At the same time, extreme changes in the field of technology and social environment policies can have also adversely influence the performance of an organization (CIA, “The World Fact book”). Those external environmental factors are highlighted below, with the aim of identify the external environment of NetApp. Political NetApp operates its business across diverse geographical regions around the entire world, but it conducts its operational functions through the local market of the US. Owing to its widespread operations, the organisation has faced several threats from its political environment, particularly in terms of instability associated with the political condition of the world. More precisely, the labor related problems in the organization have initiated difficulties in case of production as well as managing the supply chain management. At the same time, trade agreements and business relations have become complicated due to high involvement of the political factors. Thus, in order to reduce the external political threat and manage its strategic gap, NetApp must constantly involve in closely monitoring of the political factors, which is influencing its operations. Notably, NetApp has highly emphasised towards its organisational policy agenda and governmental policy agenda with the aim of maintaining the structure and stability of the external political environment of the organization (BBC, “United States profile”). Economic The impact of the economic downfall in the global market has also affected the growth rate of NetApp. Simultaneously, inflation and high exchange rates have also affected the purchasing power parity of the global customers. Despite of the gloomy economic condition, the company has emphasized towards the favorable flow of capital and financial stability with the aim of ensuring its competitive advantage. Apart from this, the organization has cut down the cost of its production in order to stabilize the economical aspects of the organization in a competitive market position. Additionally, the organization has focused towards its international trade with the aim of ensuring its significant contribution towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the US. The GDP of USA in the year 2013 is USD 16800 billion (Trading Economics, “United States GDP”). Social With respect to the social context, NetApp has incorporated social media as a medium for enhancing the communication with its consumers and stakeholders. At the same time, the organisation has also participated in the cultural activities through the help of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) related activities. At the same time, in order to enhance the overall situation of the external environment, NetApp has also provided its effort to develop the condition of the local labour market (CIA, “The World Fact book”). Technology Technological advancement in the contemporary era has become a frequent trend. In this regard, NetApp is not an exception in terms of following this technological trend. The organisation has incorporated latest technologies to enhance the efficiency of its product and to ensure the performance. At the same time, NetApp has also emphasised towards research development with the aim of improving the quality of its product design efficiency. Moreover, the organisation has also considered safety related issues during its innovative technological utilization. On the other hand, the organization ensures trustworthiness among its consumers through the help of its advanced technological policies. Furthermore, the impact of the technological advancement of NetApp is apparent in the data-storage device industry (CIA, “The World Fact book”). Legal Simultaneously, challenge related to the legal aspects has also become a matter of concern for NetApp. In this context, corporate taxes have become higher during the recent days. At the same time, data security related legal framework has also become highly strict during the modern era. Apart from this, labour related law and economic policies have become more complicated than earlier. In this regard, the organization has maintained legality, morality and ethics to ensure a healthy relationship with its employees, stakeholders, consumers and partners with the aim of enhancing its business performance around the global market (BBC, “United States profile”). Environment In order to maintain the environmental protection, NetApp had concentrated on its financial stability and ecological environment. At the same time, the organization has also developed healthy and hygienic working environment in the global market in order to ensure its success within the industry. Moreover, the environmental law has become quite strict during the contemporary era, which has motivated NetApp to cultivate green environmental movement during the business operations (CIA, “The World Fact book”). PROBLEM ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTION According to the news published by Beyer and Harshaw “Companies That Aid Syria Crackdown Deserve Sanctions’ Slap: View” claimed that NetApp has participated in the Syrian government crackdown during the year, November 2011 by providing its software products and hardware equipment. In this regard, the editors of the news have argued that a certified reseller of NetApp sold particular equipment. Regarding this issues, the organization has witnessed criticism from the entire global market (Beyer and Harshaw, “Companies That Aid Syria Crackdown Deserve Sanctions’ Slap: View”). Similarly, same allegations came up about NetApp during the year 2007. In this regard, Kawamoto “NetApp files patent suit against Sun” mentioned that Sun Microsystems had claimed that NetApp has violated the U.S. export laws. In this context, the organisation has also witnessed high criticism in the domestic and international market of the US. However, after a certain period, the organization could prove itself as innocent and not guilty of violating the export lawsuit of the US (Kawamoto, “NetApp files patent suit against Sun”). Industry Analysis. In this research study, in order to identify and analyse the problem related consequences of the Network Appliance Incorporation, it will be essential to use ‘Porter five forces’ model. Moreover, through the industry analysis, it will be possible to identify the appropriate problems of the organization. Thus, the elements of this model reside in alignment with various other factors related to the data-storage device industry and NetApp. Power of Buyers In case of data-storage device industry, the bargaining power of the buyers is quite high. In this regard, ample numbers of players are justifiably operating their business operations in this industry, which does motivate buyers to switch their choice according to their preference and price of the product (Pinder 5-6). NetApp’s revenue depends upon few buyers majorly on two. Shift of these buyers due to dissatisfaction might affect the business a lot and cause losses. The lack of market analysis might lead to a gap between buyers and NetApp affecting the business. Power of Suppliers In order to identify the power of data-storage device suppliers, the entire business model is relying on the close relationships with its suppliers. Due to that reason, the level of competition among the suppliers is very low, whereas suppliers are operating their function either in a perfect competitive or in an oligopoly market situation. Accordingly, suppliers also provide quality products with reasonable cost within the industry. Thus, the bargaining power of the suppliers is very low in case of data-storage device industry (Harrison 200-250). Due to their low bargaining power, NetApp has substantial control over its productions and functions. Competitive Rivalry In order to identify the competitive rivalry, in the data-storage device industry the competition is very high. In this regard, it has also been recognized that the market commanding power usually relies on the hand of few players among the industry, which signifies that the level of competitive rivalry is also very high (Harrison 200-250). NetApp can capture the market by strategizing its policies to overtake the competitors. Threat of New Entrants Similarly, in order to identify the threat of the new players, justifiably the data-storage device organizations do not face larger challenge from the new market players as it is very difficult for the new player to assure quality of the products and services like existing organizations are practicing like NetApp. At the same time, financial investment is also very high in case of operating or introducing new data-storage device business in the market place. Thus, in case of data-storage device industry the threat of new entrant is very low for NetApp (Harrison 200-250; NetApp, “United States Securities And Exchange Commission”). Threat of Substitute Products Simultaneously, in order to recognise the threat of the substitute products, the threat of substitution is very high in this case. There are large numbers of data-storage devices, which are available in the market place and might be a risk for NetApp. Moreover, the basic tendency of the consumers is to buy the cheapest product might also increase the risk for NetApp in case the price is increased. At the same time, consumers have also become quite sensitive towards the quality during the contemporary era. Thus, the threat of substitutes is very high for the data-storage devices industry (NetApp, “United States Securities And Exchange Commission”). Based on the above discussion, NetApp has witnessed several business challenges during its business operation. In this regard, the organization needs to stick to its business objective, values and capabilities with the aim of addressing business challenges. Moreover, the organization has used its knowledge to establish a strategic plan for implementing business growth. Apart from this, the organisation has applied its analytical approach in terms of technical as well as operational perspective with the aim of ensuring its IT operations around the globe. In addition, through the assistance of collaborative effort the organisation has introduced advanced storage architecture as well as processes with the aim of ensuring its best IT support with efficiency and flexibility. Therefore, this proves that NetApp is taking measures to reduce the strategic gaps for the benefit of the company and earn net revenue. In this context, the organization has tried to identify the requirement of its consumers and business process before developing or implementing new products. According to the above analysis, NetApp has utilized accurate and efficient analysis through the assistance of IT assessment tool with the aim of enhancing its products accuracy and flexibility (NetApp, “Strategy Services”). Fig. 2: NetApp Strategy Services Lifecycle (Source: NetApp, “Strategy Services”) On the other hand, in order to identify the problems of the data-storage company, NetApp has recognized that the organization has struggled during the recent period due to its high expense involvement and experienced massive competitive threat from EMC Corporation, which has hampered the data-storage equipment manufacturing process. Consequently, during the 1st quarter, 2014, NetApp has faced significant losses in its business operation approximately around 34%. Apart from this, the organization has faced similar kind of difficulties in terms of its stock price. In this regard, the stock price of NetApp went 52-weeks low due to the same consequences. Lack of production has also adversely influenced the revenue proportion of the organisation, which causes 5.2% decline in the revenue margin during the 1st quarter, 2014 (Nichols, “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?”). In this regard, Nichols, “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?” claimed that NetApp has priced its products by incorporating arbitrary pricing strategy, wherein, instead of exorbitant cost, the organisation has gained popularity among the consumers since the year 2007. It was through this advantage that the organization could increase its sales during 2007, by approximately 32%. Simultaneously, the value of stock also increased for the organisation during that phase (Nichols, “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?”). SOLUTIONS, EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the above discussion, NetApp has competed with its competitors during its business function within the data-storage devices industry. Moreover, the organization recently holds approximately 11.5% market share within the industry (Pinder 5-6). Notably, EMC Corporation is occupying the large number of market share within the industry during the recent time. Thus, in order to maintain the competitive advantages; several organisations within the industry are incorporating innovative as well as advanced technological aspects with the aim of enhancing its capability and competency. Moreover, several data-storage devices organizations have programmed and implemented manufacturing operations in other countries for reducing the manufacturing costs and labor related problems in the business process. All these organizations, within the data-storage industry have tried to reduce the cost of products in terms of company law and tax law. Contextually, the existing data-storage device industry players, including NetApp organisation have recognised the necessity and demand of the consumers regarding data-storage products. This aspect has positively influenced the tendency of expansion and production within the data-storage device industry with the aim of enhancing competitive advantage amid the industry players (Nichols, “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?” ;). Based on the above discussion, in order to maintain the growth of the NetApp organization among the data-storage device industry it will require to maintain the competitive advantage. By developing the quality of the product, it will be possible for the company to improve the competitive advantage. Thus, during the data-storage device development, NetApp will need to incorporate ‘data ONTAP version’ for improving the quality of the storage device (Pinder 5-6). At the same time, by incorporating replication protocol and platform it will be possible to enhance the effectiveness of the storage device in terms security related aspects. On the other hand, in order to enhance the quality of manufacturing or the production procedure, it will require to reduce the status update interval of the manufacturing process, which will assist NetApp organisation to review its product more consciously during the production phase (Nichols, “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?”). At the same time, NetApp has also faced several difficulties from its suppliers. Moreover, the organization has struggled to maintain the flow of their products among the consumers, outside of the US market due to ineffective supply chain management. Suggestively, in case of entering into the foreign market, NetApp will need to operate sincerely. Nevertheless, the organisation will not be able to ensure its expected profitability, even after developing best quality products within the industry. In order to ascertain such prospect, NetApp should aim at using the local supply chain in order to expand its prominence in foreign market more effectively (NetApp, “United States Securities and Exchange Commission”). Moreover, in order to ensure its commanding position in the global market it will be highly essential for the NetApp organisation to use cost/benefit analysis as part of decision-making strategy. Recommendably, with the assistance of cost benefit analysis the organisation will be able to identify their potential strengths. At the same time, NetApp organisation can also reduce the threats and challenges of the organization to a considerable extent. Contextually, the management of NetApp has incorporated innovative strategies with the aim of reducing the strategic gaps of the organization, wherein major emphasis is delivered on accelerating alignment between its organizational objectives, market trends and strategic intentions. NetApp organisation also can utilize positioning matrix tools for identifying their position in a specific market place. Furthermore, according to that the organisation can make decisions for the future movement (NetApp, “United States Securities and Exchange Commission”). IMPLEMENTATION PLAN In order to implement the recommended strategy, NetApp will need to implement few measures with the aim of enhancing its products quality and to ensure its efficiency in terms of a marketer. At the same time, it will also enhance the competitive advantage of the NetApp organisation. In this regard, in order to implement the recommended strategy, it will require conducting an interview for the market personnel and to the Forrester analysis with aim of gathering data in relation to the ‘NetApp private could solution’, which will help to identify the cost involvement of NetApp organization. At the same time, it is also essential to conduct an interview for the customers with the aim of understanding the need of the customers, which will aid to enhance the flexibility of NetApp organisation. Simultaneously, formulating composite organisational characteristics will enhance the quality of the products and services of NetApp organisation. Apart from this, constructing a strong financial model will benefit the organisation to enhance its competitive advantage. Finally, it will be highly important to review the risk involvement of the organization (NetApp, “Partner Directory”). Fig. 3: Cost Benefit Analysis of NetApp Apart from this, in order to implement the recommended strategy, NetApp will need to concentrate on few other functional factors, which can ensure its effectiveness. In this regard, the leaders of the NetApp organisation should consider and implement the vision and mission of the organisation more accurately. That signifies leaders should give more priorities to their consumers along with their requirements. At the same time, they should maintain the ethics during the business practices. Apart from this, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of the organization, the workforce of NetApp organization should provide high attention towards the organizational aims and objectives. Moreover, it will be highly essential to maintain the clarity of leadership along with responsibilities for enhancing the competitive advantage of the organization in the global market (Harrison 200-250). The Evolution of the Outcome. In order to measure the outcomes of implementation, it is required to identify the opportunities and improvement for NetApp organization. For instance, in case of NetApp, organization will need to identify what are the benefits and strengths of the organization witnessed during the implementation process. Moreover, it is also essential to evaluate, whether the cost involvement of NetApp organisation has reduced. In the case, cost benefit analysis method and positioning strategy, will assist NetApp organisation to determine the effectiveness of the organizations operations. At the same time, it can also analyze facts through reviewing several business reports such as annual report of NetApp organization (NetApp, “Partner Directory”). Ethical Concern. At the same time, it is also highly essential to maintain the ethical consideration during the implementation process for the success of the organization. In this regard, the organization will need to execute the entire recommended strategy in an ethical manner in order to identify the appropriate outcome of the process. Moreover, through considering the ethical concern, NetApp organisation can lead its profitability and success towards greater extend. Time Scale. In order to implement the recommended plan, NetApp must take steps such as refining the selected topic, conducting a short research about the identified issues, implementation requirement for flexibility and undertaking further changes. Finally, NetApp must focus on collecting feedback and reviewing the entire process with the aim of identifying the potential opportunities for the NetApp organisation. Hence, three to six months time will required for implementing the entire suggested process in a proper manner. CONCLUSION Based on the above research, that NetApp has been maintaining its competitive advantages in the global market through the assistance of its quality as well as wide range of products and services. At the same time, the organisation has captured large number of marker share in the global market with its trust, integrity, adaptability and simplicity. With the assistance of its collaborative and dedicated effort, the organisation has improved its brand image in the global market. On the other hand, the organisation has also ensured its quality of products through innovation and high level of commitment towards the consumer satisfaction. Moreover, NetApp has also practiced ethics during its business practices for better result and sustainability. After considering all the above stated facts, the inferences reveal that by maintaining clarity of leadership and accountability, the organization can enhance its level of profitability and growth prospect for the future period. Simultaneously, NetApp has also aimed to fulfill the needs and expectations of its consumers as well as its stakeholders by maintaining its core values and ethics when conducting the global business operations. Besides, the organization has also concentrated on its product quality and services with the aim of preserving as well as acquiring the desired level of competitive advantages. The company has also concentrated on risk projection aspects with the aim of enhancing the efficiency and tried to ensure the effectiveness of corporate governance strategy. On the other hand, by developing new products and by sufficing the needs and expectations of its customers, NetApp can ensure its competitive advantage in the global market place. Therefore, NetApp can enhance its brand image and market share in the global market through applying recommended cost /benefit analysis method and positioning strategy in case of best business practices. BIBLIOGRAPHY Beyer, Lisa and Tobin Harshaw. “Companies That Aid Syria Crackdown Deserve Sanctions’ Slap: View.” 2011. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. “The World Fact book.” CIA. 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014. Harrison, Andrew. Business Environment in a Global Context. UK: Oxford University Press. Kawamoto, Dawn. “NetApp files patent suit against Sun.” 2007. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. Nichols, Brian. “Is Now Time to Buy NetApp?” 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. “Partner Directory.” NetApp. 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. Pinder, Elena. “Investment Group.” University Of Oregon (2011): 1-15. “Being a Model Company Is at the Heart of Our Culture.” NetApp. 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. “Strategy Services.” NetApp. 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. “United States Securities and Exchange Commission.” NetApp. 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014. “United States GDP.” Trading Economics. 2014.14 Nov. 2014. APPENDIX Fig. 4: Income Statement of NetApp (Source: NetApp, “United States Securities and Exchange Commission”) Read More