Competing In The Global Arena - Essay Example

Why is Apple holding so much cash Having too much cash in reserve might either mean that the company does not know yet how to allocate it or that they may have some risk concerns about future potential investment. Apple is obviously one of the handful of companies where the fortunes are seen to be intricately tied to the person in charge. The star excellence and the thinker talents linked by professionals Jobs are certainly contributed to the success of the company. So the news of Jobs' cancer surgery might lead to a succession problem and compromise the company's future.

Apple achieved a solid performance for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same quarter 2004 with strong net sales in the Americas segment (+77%) in Europe (+63%) and in Japan (+18%). The Americas segment represents approximately 47% of the company's total net sales. The increase in net sales in the Americas, Europe and Japan was primarily driven by increased demand of the iPod and the consumer-oriented iMAC (Apple Computer, Inc. (AAPL), 2006). Demand for the iBook products were especially high for the Americas, while peripherals and other hardware were more popular in Europe.

The retail segment's net sales grew to $561 million as compared to $273 million in the same period in 2004, this represents a remarkable 105% increase.B. Strategic PostureMissionApple strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services (Environmental Health and Safety Policy Statement, 2006).Apple's Guiding PrinciplesMeet or exceed all applicable environmental, health and safety requirements.

Where laws and regulations do not provide adequate controls, Apple will adopt their own standards to protect human health and the environment (Apple and the Environment).Support and promote sound scientific principles and fiscally responsible public policy that enhance environmental quality, health and safety. Advocate the adoption of prudent environmental, health and safety principles and practices by their contractors, vendors and suppliers (Environmental Health and Safety Policy Statement, 2006).

Communicate environmental, health and safety policies and programs to Apple employees and stakeholders.Design, manage and operate our facilities to maximize safety, promote energy efficiency and protect the environment.Strive to create products that are safe in their intended use, conserve energy and materials and prevent pollution throughout the product life cycle including design, manufacture, use and end-of-life management (Environmental Health and Safety Policy Statement, 2006).Ensure that all employees are aware of their role and responsibility to fulfill and sustain Apple's environmental, he