The Influences of Innovation in Apples Company - Case Study Example

A Study on the Influences of Innovation at Apple Inc 0 Background Innovation is not a new buzz word in the contemporary business environment, whichis characterised by hyper competition and perennial changes. It is better to say in this context that innovation has become a necessity for business concerns which strive to survive and succeed. In the present dynamic era of business, firms are trying to introduce innovation either in product, process or service to successfully keep themselves ahead of their competitors and attain a competitive edge. Naturally, firms operating in manufacturing as well as service sectors continue to research new and improved means of doing business and attain high market share. An organisation may go for innovation in any area which it finds most appropriate for the moment. These areas include process innovation, value innovation, innovation in organizational structure and product innovation. Likewise, the influence or motivation behind innovative thinking might be value driven, product driven, consumer driven, competition driven and the like. In this context, the present study aims to explore the key drivers or influences that made Apple Inc, the leader of information and communication technology with constant innovative ideas and developments. 2.0 Research Questions and Objectives It is always fascinating for a researcher to go in depth in the area of his/her research. Here, also the researcher seeks to explore why Apple Inc has been introducing innovations in its business operations. Thus, the basic purpose of the present study is to identify and assess what factors influence Apple Inc to become innovative and leader in the industry. Specifically, the research objectives can be detailed as below: To identify the factors, which favourably influence the firm to introduce innovation; To study whether or not price is an important factor that favours innovation; To study whether or not consumers and competition influence innovation; and To study whether or not market leadership and growth strategy influence innovation. 3.0 Research Methodology 3.1 Research Design The study is basically a descriptive one as it seeks to identify the factors that contribute to the introduction of innovation in the firm. The factors that are taken care of in the study are product, process, and management structure. In addition the influences of innovations studies are consumers and competition, price, and market leadership and growth. It takes a survey approach in which data are collected from a selected group of respondents and the same is used to arrive at logical conclusions to the study. 3.2 Population and Sample This survey research is conducted among the key personnel (those at the helm of the firm responsible to take strategic decisions). All the key personnel across different department, therefore, constitute the population of the study. However, it is impossible to interview all the executives at the top management to gather data for the study and therefore, a convenient sampling procedure is applied to select a limited number of respondents to avoid the excess resources, time and efforts to carry out the research. The sample key personnel (executives) are conveniently selected by the researcher; who he thinks are most appropriate for interview and data collection. 3.3 Data Collection and Instruments The data are collected through special interviews conducted among the key personnel of the firm. A carefully drafted interview schedule is prepared to collect data on the important aspects of the study. All efforts were made to avoid irrelevant and illogical questions that consume precious time of the very distinguished and busy executives. The questions were prepared in such a way that incorporates all the following important variables of the study and find answers to all research questions. The questions are prepared using Five point Likert's scale as most of the questions are of qualitative in nature. Scaling and measurement is found to be appropriate for the study as it allows the researcher to assign numbers or other symbols to certain characteristics of the objects of interest, according to some pre-specified rules. Scaling is the process of creating a continuum on which objects are located according to the amount of the measured characteristic they possess (Aaker Kumar et al., 2000). In the interview schedule, questions relating to the respondent's awareness, favourable or unfavourable attitude and intention to patronize innovation in the product/process/management structure were incorporated (consensus validity), so that the respondent's overall score on the positive or negative attitude toward innovation could be obtained. Convergence reliability and divergence reliability can thus be established. In the study, a five-point scale was also used and it was felt that the five scale categories would absorb the variability in the responses of the respondents and at the same time produce a reasonably high reliability score. 3.4 Data Analysis All data will be analyzed and tabulated for both positive and negative adjustment, the frequency of responses will be calculated and descriptive statistics will be reported as means + SD. Statistically, a measure of correlation analysis will be employed to evaluate the degree of relationship (correlation) between the scores in the distributions from the favourable and unfavourable response from sample respondents. Since the SAS will be utilized with a population of test takers that differs from the population on which the test was standardized, validation studies will be necessary. Finally, variables associated with either past or present utilization of innovation strategies, will be analyzed to further determine if these categorical variables have an influence on the outcome variable. Since the mathematical procedures used in factor analysis are very complex, this researcher will utilize the SPSS statistical software package for all data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and simple tools such as mean and standard deviation are extensively used. 4.0 Timescale and Resources Any research starts with proper planning and preparation. As the present study involves people with busy schedule and hard work, planning and preparation are quite necessary. The researcher first identified the area of research in general, which later was narrowed down to the present research questions and objectives. After the research problems/ questions were identified, the next stage was to review the literature, which became very helpful to further understand the area in depth and modify the structure of the study. The lion part of the researcher's time was spent for literature review. Afterwards, a pilot study was tested before finalizing the research design. With the insights from pilot study, the final design was decided. All the requirements such as objectives and sample design were incorporated in the design. The interviews were conducted on different dates on the basis of the availability of the respondents after fixing the appointment well in advance. Collected data were then coded after editing for mistakes and inconsistencies. The edited data are then used for analysis using SPSS package. Then, a report was prepared incorporating all the stages of the research process. 5.0 Research Skills Research is a specialised area of knowledge and application of skill that demands high level of dedication and commitment. It is often said in the context of scientific research that research is led by 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration (Thomas 2003, p. 1). The following skills and knowledge are essential to any researcher: 5.1 Knowledge of the Research Community The clear understanding of the research community and organisation is the first and foremost competency of a researcher. This will add the knowledge of the researcher how to interact with other researcher on the same or related issues. It will create a sense of belongingness, which is necessary for cooperative and cordial research efforts. 5.2 Knowledge of Related subjects and areas For a researcher, an in-depth knowledge of the specialised subject alone is not sufficient. Rather, he requires more or less similar understanding of the related areas and subjects. Because, research cannot be performed independently, instead it is specialised body of knowledge that borrowed insights and theories from other disciplines such as statistics, operations research etc. 5.3 Knowledge of Research Philosophy and Rules Research philosophy is the background from where the researcher commences his/her work. This background provides the researcher to contemplate about the research problem and questions. Therefore, it can be said that research philosophy acts as a platform for a researcher to identify a problems and what he/she can do to solve such a problem. A proper understanding of the background is necessary to draft research hypotheses also. 5.4 Knowledge of research methodology and its applications Every research study has a unique way of exploring a solution to its problem. This distinct steps or way of doing a particular research is known as research methodology. Research methodology for a study is unique and takes a fresh approach. However, the approach and methodology of past studies done in the similar field may be taken as a basis. Methodology is a collective term which includes many aspects such as data collection procedure, sampling design and use of analytical tools. It tells us how a research is systematically undertaken. In this context a distinction is to be made between research methods and research methodology. Research methods refer to the all the available methods for the conduction of a research, whereas research methodology is the way of doing a particular research using methods. 5.5 Statistical Skills After the data have been tabulated and coded for easiness and convenience for further processing, the next step is analysis. Analysis involves the conversion of raw data into meaningful information so as to make them appropriate for arriving at logical finding and conclusions. A sound knowledge of statistical methods and tools is highly imperative for a researcher. However, for advanced statistical techniques, he can seek the help of experts. 5.6 Planning and Time Management Skill Planning and preparation are essential in activity. Its relevance is compounded in research as it needs high level of planning and preparation. In addition, the researcher should stick on to the scheduled activities to successfully complete the works in time. 5.7 Presentation skill A good researcher must be a good presenter too. He is supposed to present and communicate what he has researched with the community. 5.8 Endurance and perseverance The decisions of a researcher must be stable and good enough to carry out the work successfully and with logical solutions. 5.9 Ability to improvise The researcher must not be satisfied with what he has done. He must leave place for improvement always. It further enhances the knowledge to improvise the work and locate new methodologies and procedures of research. References and Bibliography Aaker Kumar, Day George and Kumar V (2000), Marketing Research, 7th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., p. 274. 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