The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business - Research Paper Example

Running Header: Network Mapping Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name; Course Code: Date of Submission: 1.0 Introduction This report discusses the mapping network on Apple incl In relation to its relation to its distributing, marketing, manufacturing, and sales network. It takes into account various stakeholders involved in its daily operations and activities (Government Research Corporation 2007). Its mapping network mainly involves manufacturers like foxconn, intel among others; apple resellers including phone companies; media partners like EMI, sony, fox studios among others and finally consumers or end users. It is important to note that “Network” plays a great role in current business or economic environment of any organization. Network mapping is mostly utilized in the understanding of existing resources, ties, and connections of a firm like Apple. It is through these networks mapping that a company is able to develop survival strategies for its future undertakings (Jeffrey, 2005). 2.0 NETWORK MAPPING The diagram above shows various stakeholders involved in the apple networking map. It clears indicates its relation with each player within the map as it will be analyzed further in the report. 2.1 Key players Manufacturers Apple has several manufacturers who include Foxconn, Intel, Samsung, Seagate, and NVIDIA. Foxconn is a multinational electronics manufacturing firm which has its headquarters in New Taipei, Taiwan. Foxconn is among the largest manufacturers of Apple products and it plays a key role in ensuring quality products are delivered to Apple’s customers (Lawrence & Carl, 2008). Apple also networks with Intel who are manufacturers. In 2006, there was Apple’s transition to processors manufactured and designed by Intel. Seagate is another manufacturer of electronic facilities that works well Apple company. Such of the products that it supplies includes iMac 1TB SEAGATE Hard Drive (Andy, 2004). NVIDIA is another manufacturing company that networks with Apple. NVIDIA is one of the world leaders in visual computing technologies due to its inventions in GPU that creates interactive graphics on laptops and mobile devices among others. Apple Resellers Apple resellers are other groups that make up the network map of the Apple Company (Owen 2004). They include Phone companies (Vodafone), JB hifi, myer, smaller shops/retailers, Apple stores, and online orders. These play a key role in distribution of Apple products and ensuring that the end consumer is able to access them at any area around the world or in Australia. however, it is important to note that Phone companies and Apple stores play a great role in the selling and distribution of Apple products in Australia and in the world (Government Research Corporation 2007). JB hifi is one of the largest store distributor of electronics products especially those from Apple and it has chain of stores across Australia. Media Partners Apple’s network map extends to media partners like IME, Sony, Fox studio, HBO, and App makers/Developers among others. These plays a great role in ensuring publicity of Apple products becomes well known and famous (Jeffrey, 2005). It is through these media Partners that Apple is able to market its products in a great way. These media partners assist in marketing and creating awareness on various Apple products being innovated as well as improved ones becomes well known to the potential consumers through these media partners. In return, Apple also advertises the products of these media partners as well in a mutual beneficial ways to each other (Jeffrey & William 2005). Consumers These are the end users of the Apple products who are distributed in various regions around the world and particular in Australia. This part of the networking map comprises those people who interact with the products including Macs, iPhone, iPads, and Ipods, iOS, and Macs among others (Government Research Corporation 2007). Apple mainly draws its consumer base or segment from younger generation (18-34) as well as higher-income demographic group. Boundaries The main reason behind this network mapping task is to undertake a study on the various major stakeholders or players that plays a great role in the operations of Apple. This is mainly in terms of its production, distribution, marketing and users. It is important to clarify that the players in Apple company are only limited to four of them according to this report (Mossberg 2012). 3.0 Network Theories Embeddedness Theory Embeddedness can be viewed as the extent to which firms are entangled within a social network. This is mainly through economic or even social ties between various organizations. Apple has built a strong relationship with its operatives including distributors, consumers, and manufacturers among others. Apple has been able to develop and cohesive relationship with companies like Vodafone and Sony studios among others which has led to significance increase in its marketing of its products in return to same services and publicity for them (Jason, 2008). Such embeddedness has enabled Apple Company to have strategic marketing and survival tactics in the competitive market. Apple and the companies in which they work closely together or they embed are able to assist each in undertaking marketing activities and ensuring that the brand of either is well exposed (Ward 2011). Transaction cost theory This theory tries to explain the reason for company’s existence, reason for company’s expansion, or source out operation to the external environment. This theory tries to explain companies try to minimize the costs related to resources exchange within the environment as well as companies trying to reduce bureaucratic exchange costs within the firm (Jason, 2008). Firms usually weigh the costs of resource exchange with the environment against the bureaucratic costs of undertaking activities in-house. According to this theory in relation to the networking map, Apple can be seen to exchange resources although indirect with various firms at their respective networking areas such as Vodafone in reseller’s category (Andy, 2004). 4.0 Methodology The methodology that will be undertaken in this network mapping of Apple with involve longitudinal study. It has the main goal of looking at the network formation, relationship between various players, activities and various resources involved. Relationship Evolution from 1990-2000 Apple Players Activities Resources Manufacturers Forconn Development of early electronics products of Apple (Andy, 2004) Technology Intel Technology and quality management aspects. Samsung Produces quality electronics for Apple Quality products, technology Seagate Manufacturers hard drives and storage solutions for Apple High quality management systems and technology NVIDIA Develops several application softwares Apple Resellers Phone companies (Vodafone) They sell the products and distribute them through their company in an effort to enhance their products availability as well (Andy, 2004). Brand presence in the market. Promotions and displays in the ir shops. JB hifi It distributes, displays and sells Apple products throughout Australia. It delivers the products to the consumers. It increases the brand presence of Apple products in the market. It uses promotions and displays to attract the attention of the consumers. Small shops/retailers Though not much established, they increase brand awareness as well as distributing the products to the consumers. Make the products available to the customers all the time in many places (Jeffrey, 2005). Display, brand presence, distribution channels, and promotion among others. Apple Stores These sell and distribute Apple products only to the consumers Increasing brand presence and awareness in the market Online Orders Enables people access product online regardless of their place of residence Increased exposure and virtual availability. Media Partners HBO Makes the products more available to customers by exposing them. Increased awareness. App makers/Developers Partners with App developers to install and incorporate softwares in their products. Consumers The consumers buy and interact with the products Distribution channels is an important resource here. Relationship Evolution from 2000-present Apple Players Activities Resources Manufacturers Forconn It manufacturers various electronic facilities for Apple Company Quality products and skilled man-power advanced technology, and related facilities. Intel Aligns with Apple in 2005 Technology and quality management aspects. Samsung Produces quality electronics for Apple High quality products, real time technology Seagate Manufacturers hard drives and storage solutions for Apple High quality management systems and technology NVIDIA Develops several interactive softwares like GPU (creates interactive graphics) (Government Research Corporation 2007) Apple Resellers Phone companies (Vodafone) Makes aggressive presence of Apple products be felt by consumers in their shops. They distribute the products within the large area around the world where customers can access them easily. Makes the Apple products become easily accessible in shops. They display the products to the expected consumers Brand presence in the market. Promotions and displays in the ir shops. Extensive marketing of Apple products. JB hifi It distributes, displays and sells Apple products throughout Australia. It delivers the products to the consumers. It increases the brand presence of Apple products in the market. It uses promotions and displays to attract the attention of the consumers. Small shops/retailers They increase brand awareness as well as distributing the products to the consumers. Make the products available to the customers all the time in many places. Display, brand presence, distribution channels, and promotion among others. Apple Stores These sell and distribute Apple products only to the consumers Increasing brand presence and awareness in the market Online Orders Enables people access product online regardless of their place of residence (Government Research Corporation 2007) Increased exposure and virtual availability. Media Partners HBO Makes the products more available to customers by exposing them. Increased awareness. App makers/Developers Partners with App developers to install and incorporate softwares in their products. Consumers Increased targeting and segmentation of consumers. Increased consideration of consumers’ feedback. The consumers buy and interact with the products Distribution channels is an important resource here. Feedback from consumers is a resource that assists Apple in improving the product. 5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, it is important to note that network mapping results to increased effectiveness and efficiency of any firm’s activities or operations. Apple’s operations and profitability has increased significantly over years. This cannot only be attributed but managerial aspects but due to networking with other companies which have common interest of achieving set objectives. It is through manufacturers, consumers, media partners, and Apple resellers. This has enabled Apple products to become more exposed to the consumers. It has also enabled consumers to get or access the products more conveniently and in a more reliable manner (Jason, 2008). Networking with manufacturers like Forconn, Intel, Samsung, Seagate, NVIDIA has enabled Apple to deliver products of high quality and that will ensure that customers will become more satisfied. These firms take into consideration the aspects of high quality and user friendly products (Jason, 2008). The need to network with companies that need high technology savvy is increasing due to the demand of high quality and technology wise products. Networking with Apple resellers like Phone companies (Vodafone), JB hifi, myer, smaller shops/retailers, Apple stores, and online orders play a key role in ensuring that the products become more available to consumers. It also ensures that the products or brand awareness is greatly increased (Andy, 2004). Media partners like HBO and App developers also develops significantly the improvement of the product. Consumers are at the final end who interacts with the products. However, the way the customers are viewed has changed with time. Currently, customers are seen to be of greater importance in assisting the shaping of the firms. This is mainly achieved through feedbacks after using and interacting with the product (Jeffrey, 2005). 6.0 Implications The utilization of interacting map by Apple has significantly increased its efficiency. The continued utilization and realizing its importance will ensure that the products become more accessible to customers as well as increased qualities of their products. The longitudinal study clearly shows the increased relationship between the Apple and other companies or related networking systems. These is need for more interactions and networking to ensure that the effectiveness is well achieved. 7.0 References Andy, H 2004, Revolution in the Valley, New York, O’Reilly Books. Government Research Corporation 2007, National Journal, vol. 39, no. 1, 4-32. Jason, D 2008, Apple Inc, Sydney, ABC-CLIO. Jeffrey, L 2005, The Apple Way, New York, McGraw-Hill Professional. Jeffrey, S & William, L 2005, iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business, London, John Wiley & Sons. Lawrence, J & Carl, M 2008, The future of Business: The Essentials, Melbourne, Cengage Learning. Mossberg, W 2012, “New iPad a million more Pixels than HDTV”, The Wall Street Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, p.1-34. Owen, L 2004, “Apple Confidential 2.0”, No Starch Press, vol. 1, no. 1 p. 4-24. Owen, W 2004, Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World’s Most Colorful Company, New York, No Starch Press. Ward, A 2011, “Apple overtakes Nokia in smartphone stakes”, Financial Times, July 21. 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