Introduction: This individual assignment will be assessed by means of a 3,500 ± 10% word report. The assignment has been designed to allow you to develop and use your knowledge and skills in...

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Introduction: This individual assignment will be assessed by means of a 3,500 ± 10% word report. The assignment has been designed to allow you to develop and use your knowledge and skills in understanding key strategic issues relating to the
Global Computer Technology Industry. You will be required to apply the strategic concepts and analytical techniques studied in this module. All the
learning outcomes
below will be assessed:


  1. Demonstrate critical understanding and application of relevant theories associated with global corporate policies and strategies.


  2. Understand the holistic nature of strategy and apply analytical techniques to solve complex problems in real life organizations.


  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the strategic decision making process through critical analysis of how strategic decision making enables an organisation to relate to its global business environment.


  4. Critically evaluate and monitor the business mission, objectives and policies of international organisations.


  5. Use critical reflective skills to reflect on the impact of their understanding on the problem solving process.


The assignment will be internally moderated by: John Dixon-Dawson Please note:

  1. All work must adhere to the University regulations on ‘Cheating, Collusion and Plagiarism’ which are provided as an Appendix in your Programme Handbook. You are encouraged to use
    ‘Harvard Referencing Style’
    and avoid
    ‘Plagiarism’.

  2. A hard copy and an electronic copy on CD Rom or DVD of the assignment
    must
    be handed to the Library Services at St Peters Campus on or before the appointed date under cover of the Sunderland Business School (SBS) Feedback Sheet.
    Please include a Turnitin Report.


  3. Issue Date:
    June 2012


  4. Submission Date:
    August 2012


Task Your task is to carry out a critical analysis and evaluation of the strategies adopted by
global computer hard and software suppliers,
using the information provided and other materials researched. You will be expected to select and apply appropriate theories, techniques and models studied during the module whilst having regard to the practical aspects of strategy development.
Your assignment should be presented in a business report format and should be within the range 3,500 ± 10% words (excluding executive summary/abstract, references and relevant appendices). The report should include a title page and abstract and be fully and consistently referenced, using Harvard Referencing style. You must also submit a CD Rom or DVD containing an electronic version of the report. This should be clearly labelled with your name, your course and the name of the case study.
It is recommended that you research information additional to the case study to support your arguments. This may be obtained from a diverse range of sources and you are encouraged to research the issues in whichever way you deem appropriate.
Assessment Criteria In the event of failing this individual assignment, normal referral / deferral procedures will apply. This assignment carries a weighting of 100%. The assessment will focus on the level of ANALYSIS carried out. That is, the application of THEORETICAL CONCEPTS studied in the module to the ‘practical’ case study presented. In other words, you should proceed beyond a DESCRIPTION of the company and its actions. You should be analysing ‘why’ rather then describing ‘what’. The assignment will be assessed and moderated by two members of staff in accordance with the marks allocated to each of the questions detailed below. 10% of the marks are set aside for the ‘presentation’ criteria.

Academic Rigour

  • your ability to isolate the key strategic issues

  • the coherence and depth of the analysis of those issues

  • the ability to analyse the strategy context within which companies operates

  • the ability to critically review and evaluate strategic decisions made by companies


Methodology

  • the use of relevant evidence, from material provided and personal research to support any statements made

  • the appropriateness of the methods used and theoretical models and frameworks applied

  • the breadth and depth of research undertaken


Evaluation of data

  • the ability to make sound recommendations or conclusions arising from the analysis

  • the soundness of arguments put forward


Presentation

  • the summary of arguments

  • report layout and format

  • use of illustrative material and evidence to support arguments

  • the appropriateness of length

  • the quantity and accuracy of referencing











The Global Computer Technology Industry:

“Stop and look at Apple for a second, since it’s an odd company…While most high-tech firms focus on one or two sectors, Apple does all of them at once…Apple is essentially operating its own closed miniature techno-economy…If you follow conventional wisdom, Apple is doing it all wrong. And yet…this is the company that gave us three of the signature technological innovations of the past 30 years: the Apple II, the Macintosh and the iPod.”
(Grossman, 2005; cited in De Wit and Meyer, 2010, p. 681)
Read the case study entitled
“Strategic leadership and innovation at Apple Inc.”
by Loizos Heracleous and Angeliki Papachroni, cited in De Wit and Meyer (2010:681-692)
Strategy Process, Content, Context;
and carry out appropriate analyses of the global corporate strategies adopted by Apple Inc. and other world-class computer technology suppliers such as Microsoft and Dell, and answer the questions below.
You are encouraged to use relevant data/information from company websites.









Question One:


Using relevant information from the case study, the literature and company websites, compare and contrast the
‘core competences and dynamic capabilities’
as they relate to the following Value Chain activities of Apple Inc. (www.apple.com), and Dell (www.dell.co.uk) from 2006 to 2012.


  1. Inbound logistics and Procurement (10 marks)


  2. Operations, Marketing and Sales (10 marks)


  3. Human Resource and Customer Services (10 marks)


Note:
A critical application of Porter’s Value Chain model is required.


[30 % marks]









Question Two:


Compare and contrast the meaning of the terms
‘strategic alliance (SAs)’
and ‘mergers and acquisitions (M&As)’
in the context of network level corporate strategy development in the global consumer electronics and entertainment industry, and critically evaluate the success or failure of SAs and M&As in Apple Inc. from 2006 to 2012.
You are expected to use relevant information from the Apple case study and from Apple’s recent Annual Reports available online (www.apple.com).


[30 % marks]







Question Three:


Using the information given in the Apple Inc. case study and your own understanding of
‘strategic leadership’
and ‘innovation’, critically evaluate the impact of top-down and bottom-up approaches to leadership in helping Apple achieve
‘breakthrough innovation”
in the global consumer electronics and entertainment’ industry.


[30 % marks]


Note:
10%
marks is allocated for overall presentation

Suggested Reading:

De Wit, B. and Meyer, R. (2010) -
Strategy Process, Content, and Context
International Perspective, 4th Edition, Thomson Learning
De Wit, B. and Meyer, R. (2004) -
Strategy Process, Content, and Context
International Perspective, 3rd Edition, Thomson Learning
Johnson, G., Scholes, K. and Whittington, R. (2005)
Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text and Cases,
7th
Edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Lynch, R. (2006)
Corporate Strategy,
Fourth Edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall.
Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel, J. (1998)
Strategy Safari, Financial Times Prentice Hall

Websites & PDF documents:

www.apple.com/ Apple Inc.
www.ibm.com IBM
www.dell.co.uk Dell
www.economist.com The Economist
www.ft.com The Financial Times
005_9kt285k-uoinvn13.doc
Answered Same DayDec 20, 2021

Answer To: Introduction: This individual assignment will be assessed by means of a 3,500 ± 10% word report. The...

David answered on Dec 20 2021
114 Votes
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 1
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 2
Executive Summary:
The process of globalization has been occurring for a long time, and, like most changes, it
has been marked by advances and retreats, by hope and disappointment. But it marches on. The
causes of globalization are inseparable from the human desire to explore, to gain greater physical
and economic security, to be creative and curious, and to move from one place to another. When
some of our ancestors left Africa, they began the process of globalization.
With a strong focus on innovation and technology the companies are making a strong
move in the world by innovating and exploring new ways to attract more and more consumers
and increasing their share in the market.
The companies are adopted different strategies which has helped the organization to have
a strong existence in the market and have a competitive edge in this paper we will have a strong
focus on analyzing the value chain analysis and competitive analysis of Apple and Dell.
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 3
Contents
Executive Summary: ....................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction: .................................................................................................................................... 4
Global Technology Industry: .......................................................................................................... 5
Part 1: .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Value Chain Analysis of Apple and Dell:....................................................................................... 6
Inbound logistics and procurement: ............................................................................................ 6
Operations, Marketing and Sales ................................................................................................ 8
Human Resource Management: .................................................................................................. 8
Part 2: ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Mergers and Acquisition and Strategic Alliances ..................................................................... 10
Part 3: ............................................................................................................................................ 12
Strategic Leadership and Innovation: ........................................................................................... 12
Research and Development: ...................................................................................................... 12
Management: ............................................................................................................................. 13
Technology: ............................................................................................................................... 13
Conclusion: ................................................................................................................................... 13
References: .................................................................................................................................... 14

Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 4
Introduction:
Globalization is marked by international integration in the international market, which
has increased considerably with the passage of time. Globalization is marked by economic
innovation which is triggered by cultural and political diffusion. Globalization has increased the
opportunity of firms to operate in the global market, it helps the different companies to increase
the economies of scale as well increasing its competencies in manufacturing and operating
activities by adopting different activities a different nations. When a firm operates in the global
market the firm can focus on buying raw material and labor from low cost nation, so that the
company is able to manufacture the goods at comparatively low prices. When the company
operates in the local market it manufactures in one nation, purchases equipment from other
nation whereas manufacture its product in another nation, through this the company is able to
achieve economies of scale and it can manufacture goods at comparatively low price. By
operating in the global market the firm is able to work on a competitive landmark. With
globalization the company is able to tap the un-captured market in the global market. “Global
markets are attractive strategic options for some companies, but they are not the only source of
strategic competitiveness. In fact, for most companies – even for those capable of competing
successfully in global markets – it is critical to remain committed to the domestic market. In the
21st-century competitive landscape, firms are challenged to develop the optimal level of
globalization, a level that results in appropriate concentrations on a company‟s domestic and
global operations.” (Hitt, 2009).
A firm operating in the global market is able to gain competitive advantage through
continuous focus on changing technology, innovation and the ability of the firm to focus on mass
market. The companies focus on adopting different global strategies which helps them in
reducing different trade barriers that a firm faces. A firm operating in the global market has to
keep a strong focus on the changes and change its strategies and operations with change in the
global environment. With the ever changing environment the companies needs to focus on
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 5
adopting different strategies rather than focusing on a single strategy. Adopting different
strategies help in improving the performance of the company.
The companies like Apple and Dell are making a strong move in the global market and
having a very strong focus on innovation so as to attract more and more consumers across the
globe.
Global Technology Industry:
“Stop and look at Apple for a second, since it’s an odd company…While most high-tech
firms focus on one or two sectors, Apple does all of them at once…Apple is essentially operating
its own closed miniature techno-economy…If you follow conventional wisdom, Apple is doing it
all wrong. And yet…this is the company that gave us three of the signature technological
innovations of the past 30 years: the Apple II, the Macintosh and the iPod.” (Grossman, 2005;
cited in De Wit and Meyer, 2010, p. 681)
With the advancement in technology and accelerating changes in the technology, many
companies have taken advantage to with this changing technology so as to attain competitive
edge in the market. The companies are strongly focusing on innovation and launching new
technological products which help the consumers to fulfil their needs and requirements. Today
with the changing trends of the users and consumers the organizations are strongly focusing on
introducing new phones and technological devices which has made a strong move in the
technological world as well as the global technology industry.
There are many companies which have a strong existence in the company. The
companies like Apple and Dell have set a high standard in the technology industry and have
redefined the commerce by turning the smartphones in the mobile wallets and technological
spurred instrument.
Global Corporate Strategy – Apple and Dell 6
Part 1:
Value Chain Analysis of Apple and Dell:
Apple Inc, is one of the biggest manufacturer of personal PC‟s , mobile communication
devices and portable music and...
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