Apple Inc. in 2010 case (9-710-46) – GradSchoolPapers.com

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Apple Inc. in 2010 case (9-710-46)
Assignment Overview
Using the information in the Apple Inc. in 2010 case (9-710-46) posted to Blackboard and applicable course materials; answer all questions completely. The paper should be written from a position of case facts and course material only. Students should avoid excessive use of personal opinion and focus on linking course concepts to the real-world situation in the case. Outside research is not necessary when writing this paper; you should base the paper on the case itself and applicable course material only.(References must include and only includeApple Inc. in 2010 case, our text bookEssentials of Strategic Management and one of two course material articles (I will upload all materials))
The entire case analysis can be effectively addressed in between five (5) to six (6) pages.
Papers submitted in this course must include your name, due date, course name and paper title
Papers should be double-spaced, 12-point font with 1 inch to 1 ½ inch margins
Topic headings must be used appropriately throughout all papers
All bibliographies, references and footnotes in all assignments should follow the APA Style.
Make sure to carefully review the Grading & Evaluation Standards sections of the course syllabus. It is critical that you follow the guidelines as outlined in these sections as a portion of the grade will be based on correctly following these instructions.
Industry Analysis & Competitive Advantage
Porter’s Five Forces Model provides us with a framework for understanding the dynamics in an industry. The computer industry is a very competitive industry with entrenched competitors, established supply chains, varying sales channels, emerging substitute products and related industries with significant network effects. The forces in the computer industry impact all competitors the same way – Dell, HP, Apple, Lenovo, etc. all face the same pressures. It is the strategies that these companies pursue that set them apart.
Apple has been exceptional at positioning itself within the industries it operates, developing its competencies and maintaining meaningful competitive advantages. In particular, Apple has done a remarkable job in the computer industry. While Apple is not the market leader, they are clearly winning based on our understanding of winning in an industry – maintaining better than average profitability.
The Apple in 2010 case outlines the computer industry just a few short years ago. Read the case carefully to gain an appreciation for the dynamics in the computer industry – how do Porter’s Five Forces impact the industry? Your focus should be Apple’s operations in the computer industry only. You should not consider other product areas – iPod, iPhone, iTunes, etc. – only the personal computer industry. With this understanding of the computer industry, consider what you know about Apple today. How have they positioned themselves to win? What strategies did they pursue and competencies did they develop to mitigate the forces in the industry? Why is Apple different than the other competitors?
Assignment Requirements
Using Porter’s Five Forces Model as a guiding framework, select two (2) key areas in which you see Apple having a clear competitive advantage. These key areas will address / mitigate critical strengths that one or more of the five forces possess providing Apple with strategic strength over the industry. For both key areas, answer /discuss the following topics:
1. Which of the Five Forces do the strategic strengths focus on? – This is a simple identification of the force or forces that Apple’s competitive advantage mitigates or takes advantage of. As we remember, the five forces impact all companies in an industry the same way. What is different is the strategies that individual companies pursue, leveraging internal strengths, to have a favorable position relative to the rest of the industry.
2. What specific issue does the strategic strength address / mitigate? –Again, we remember that the five forces impact all companies in an industry the same way. You have selected two key areas in which Apple has a competitive advantage through leveraging internal strengths to mitigate or take advantage of an opportunity directly related to one of the five forces. Here you should discuss what the problem or opportunity is that the force imposes on the industry.
3. How does the force in question impact the industry as a whole? – This is simply a designation of the impact the force or forces has on the overall industry. Remember this will be HIGH, MODERATE or LOW. These are the only possibilities.
4. What distinctive competency does Apple have that provides a competitive advantage over the industry relative to the selected force impact? – Up until this point, the discussion has been focused on the broader computer industry, specific forces as defined by Porter’s Five Forces model and how the force or forces impact the industry. This section should discuss the specific distinctive competency that Apple has that provides a competitive advantage over the industry. It is important that you maintain continuity in your answers; the distinctive competency and competitive advantage should align with the answers provided for the earlier questions.
5. Are these competitive advantages sustainable? Why or why not? – This is a simple discussion as to whether the selected competitive advantages are sustainable AND why or why not. It is important that you clearly state your position for both of the selected competitive advantages and provide a clear, well-conceived reason why or why not.
6. What changes in the computer industry – since 2010 – could threaten Apple’s competitive advantage? – This should be a clear discussion of changes that have happened in the computer industry, with specific examples, that threaten Apple’s competitive advantages. The answers here should align with the answers provided for the other questions.
Assignment Grading Rubric
Paper Follows Grading & Evaluation Standards Guidelines
5
1. Which of the Five Forces does the strategic strength focus on?
• Question answered, but not in correct terms based on model (1 point per strategic advantage)
• Question answered clearly in terms of Porter’s model (2 points per strategic advantage)
4
2. What specific issue does the strategic strength address / mitigate?
• Question answered, but unclear or not related to the force identified in question #1 (1 point per strategic advantage)
• Question answered clearly and completely with a distinct link to the force in question #1 (3 points per strategic advantage)
6
3. How does the force in question impact the industry as a whole?
• Question answered, but unclear or not related to the force identified in question #1 (1 point per strategic advantage)
• Question answered clearly and completely with a distinct link to the force in question #1 (3 points per strategic advantage)
6
4. What distinctive competency does Apple have that provides a competitive advantage over the industry relative to the selected force impact?
• Question answered, but advantage unclear or not directly related to the force from question #1 (1 point per strategic advantage)
• Question answered clearly and completely showing a distinct competitive advantage that is tied to the force selected in question #1 (3 points per strategic advantage)
6
5. Is this this competitive advantage sustainable? Why or why not?
• Logic is unclear or not fully developed (1 point per strategic advantage)
• Logic is sound and well thought out (2 points per strategic advantage)
4
6. What changes in the computer industry – since 2010 – could threaten Apple’s competitive advantage?
• Question answered, but discussion not clearly related to competitive advantage outlined in prior questions (1 points per strategic advantage)
• Question answered with clear link to previously discussed strategic advantages and logical connection to Porter’s model (3 points per strategic advantage)
6
Writing Proficiency – High = 4; Moderate = 2; Minimal = 0 4
Assignment Total 41

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