Apple

1. Analyze how an organization’s goals influence organizational planning that informs strategic decision making
2. Analyze the functions of management and ethical principles for executing effective decision making in organizations
3. Apply management techniques that ensure the continuous improvement of personnel and business processes to measure
organizational performance
4. Apply communication techniques aimed at increasing employee performance, thus achieving organizational goals and objectives
5. Illustrate the important connection between management and organizational culture

ANSWER

Apple Company Organizational Analysis

Apple Company has built an admirable brand name and image globally. As a technology-based establishment, innovation and creativity are key elements that drive its operations. Over time, it has continued to fulfill emerging market needs by providing consumers with quality products that meet and exceed their expectations. Apple develops strategic goals that align with its corporate culture. Notably, the managerial level adheres to ethical principles when making decisions. Honesty, respect, confidentiality, and compliance are major ethical principles that guide the firm. The firm is also keen on continuous improvement, effective communication practices, and quality corporate culture observed by all, including the management.  Overall, Apple has strategically developed its processes to reflect its targeted milestones and objectives.

Organizational Goals, Organizational Planning, and Strategic Decision-making

Apple is keen to deliver innovative and high-quality products to consumers. As a product design and development leader, the firm remains committed to providing clients with products that meet their expectations. The firm also ensures that users obtain products at the required time and within a cost that represents the best value for them and the shareholders. These strategic goals inform its organizational planning activities and strategic decision-making processes. Strategic planning and management exist as the most effective way for businesses to prepare to overcome and sustain competition in the market (Kabeyi, 2019). The strategies that establishments adopt should always be creative and innovative to meet the set goals. Apple operates in a highly competitive environment, and to meet its goal. There is a dire need to plan strategically. Its planning approach revolves around customer experience and the desire to build a strong vision. The firm integrates a democratic decision-making process where diverse ideas and opinions are highly welcomed. This has enabled the company to make vital decisions that support its corporate goals. Thus, Apple’s corporate goals guide the firm into adopting a strategy that makes its product stand out in the market.

Management Functions and Ethical Principles for Executing Effective Decisions

Apple’s managerial level is responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and controlling organizational operations. It develops a strategic course of action that enables the business to realize its goals. The management also coordinates and allocates appropriate resources to ensure that it meets the goals. Apple’s top-level also integrates quality leadership characteristics to boost workforce motivation and satisfaction for optimal results. Lastly, the managers also ensure that it puts in place quality control mechanisms to ensure the products delivered to the consumers meet the standards and expectations. Besides its key managerial functions, Apple’s ethical culture helps in excellent decision-making processes.

Apple relies on honesty, respect, accountability, and compliance as its ethical principles (Panmore Institute, 2020). All its corporate undertakings are based on these four ethical pillars that enable the company to make quality decisions. Apple observes honesty, respect, and accountability with the nature of products that it relays to the consumers. As a technologically-based company, quality is an important aspect. It has selected systems and structures that guarantee safety and security. In an age where information security and data privacy are vital approaches, Apple adopts systems that meet these concerns. The four ethical principles are strictly observed and adhered to where enables the business to integrate effective decision-making processes.

Management Techniques for Continuous Improvement

Differentiation is a vital management technique that Apple utilizes in its processes and functions. This approach allows the business to develop unique products that make the business stand out among its competitors. For example, Meyer (2019) states that high-end branding, elegant designs, and user-friendly products are distinguishing elements that provide Apple with a competitive advantage. The differentiation strategy enables the company to fulfill market needs and demands. Another technique is the product development strategy, where Apple develops attractive and profitable technological products. Research and development enable the firm to produce highly innovative products for the consumer market (Meyer, 2019). For instance, Apple is continuously improving the iPad, iPhone, and the Apple Watch. Through research and development, the company can initiate advanced mechanisms that allow it to boost the quality of its products. Continuous improvement generates advanced organizational performance. Control and Pareto charts, histogram, cause and effect diagrams are common tools used by Apple to advance its products’ quality. Apple relies on customer satisfaction level, core competencies, workforce commitment, and acquired value to assess its performance. Overall, differentiation and research & development are integral techniques that allow the company to meet high product standards and quality.

Communication Techniques

Communication is an essential element, and Apple ensures that it adopts effective strategies to link the workforce and the management level. Effective communication facilitates the achievement of valuable performance (Bucata & Rizescu, 2017). The management should always consider its ‘people’ element and primarily their workforce to enhance their productivity. Apple heavily relies on web-based communication techniques to pass information to the workforce. For example, email is one of the commonly used platforms in the workplace. Instant messages are sent to the workers to enable them to act promptly to deliver the expected outcomes. Also, video conferencing is another essential technique that Apple utilizes to communicate with the employees. For instance, if the management needs to contact workers across various locations, it can rely on video conferencing to hold a single meeting and have a fruitful interactive session. Lastly, the firm relies on documented reports to pass information to the workforce. These reports are promptly delivered to each worker for prompt action. These communicational techniques allow the workers to receive information on time to achieve the expected results. This enhances employee performance as they are motivated to do their jobs. The business achieves the set goals and objectives due to increased workforce motivation and job satisfaction.

The Link between Management and Organizational Culture

Apple’s management level aligns its actions with the corporate culture. For instance, they are always on the look-out for innovative and creative opportunities to invest in to achieve their targeted goals. The management level is responsible for developing the organizational culture, which dictates the expected behavioral tactics. There is a dire need to ensure that managers align their actions and words with the values and the vision incorporated into the corporate culture. This enables them to act as role models workers to emulate their actions and act according to the workplace policy. The organizational culture dictates the level of performance that a business is likely to achieve due to existing employee involvement (Jwijati & Bititci, 2015). Apple has established a viable corporate culture that the management always adheres to and protects for the business’s welfare.

In conclusion, Apple is a global figure in the technology domain since it has strategized its tasks and operations around vital growth approaches. Effective organizational planning, strategic decision-making processes, continuous improvement, quality communication processes, and an excellent organizational culture are some of the approaches that provide Apple with advanced growth opportunities. Over time, the company has reported quality results as it has invested in developing creative and innovative mechanisms. Other businesses should emulate Apple’s strategic perspectives for optimal development.

References

Bucăţa, G., & Rizescu, A. M. (2017). The role of communication in enhancing the work effectiveness of an organization. Land Forces Academy Review, 22(1), 49-57.

Jwijati, I. M., & Bititci, U. S. (2015). Exploring the impact of organizational culture on performance management. In 22nd Annual EurOMA Conference 2015.

Kabeyi, M. (2019). Organizational strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation with an analysis of challenges and benefits. International Journal of Applied Research and Studies, 5(6), 27-32.

Meyer, P. (2019). Apple Inc.’s Generic Strategy & Intensive Growth Strategies – Panmore Institute. Panmore Institute. Retrieved 5 February 2021, from http://panmore.com/apple-inc-generic-strategy-intensive-growth-strategies.

Panmore Institute. Apple Inc.’s Mission Statement and Vision Statement. Retrieved on 21st January 2020 from http://panmore.com/apple-mission-statement-vision-statement#:~:text=Apple’s%20corporate%20mission%20is%20%E2%80%9Cto,that%20influences%20the%20possibilities%20of