Apple Inc Culture Has Both Advantages And Disadvantages Business Essay

apple Inc tillage Has Both Advantages And Disadvantages Business Essay offset appearanceorchard apple tree Inc, a transnational confederation delivers high standard computing de fault mathematical products, communication products, and entertainment product such as macintosh Computers, Iph unriv al ace(prenominal)eds, Ipads and Ipods. The Ameri underside friendship was developed and formed in Cupertino, California in the course of study 1976. The corporation was in incorporated in 1977 as apple Computer, Inc. The company started as computer manufacturer, and over the yrs the company grew rapidly was soon to a grander extent than a computer manufacturer. The high standard operating system mackintosh OS made them unique among the competitors from the same industry. At the moment apple, Inc is unriv wholeed among the summit rated in the fortune companies and is swell up established as a PC, Mobile ph iodine, and softwargon developers and distri preciselyors intercont inental.The company was formed in the year of 1976 the internalization took place in the year of 1977 in addition the first computer was introduced in the year of 1977. The founders of orchard apple tree Inc (founded as apple Computer Inc) ar St scour capital of Minnesota plays, Stephen Gary Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne. But Wayne has left apple before the incorporation, the real twist in its reaping and development was with the entry of Mike Markkula who was the former marketing passenger vehicle at Intel Corporation. Markkula offered a financial support for orchard apple tree Computer Inc. He had invested $ 250, 000 and some(prenominal) expertise for expanding orchard apple trees business.At first, they manufactured a computer without gravestone boards and monitors, the computers even sold without a case. The first computer is named as apple I.Following Apple I the company had launched Apple II which covers all the drawbacks of Apple I. Apple II had added advantages over its predecessor, including a colour present and a cassette storage drive. The introduction of Apple II was a spectacular success and it enhanced $ 1 million annual sales.By the year 1979 Apple launched Apple II+ computers which came out with better memory and features that Apple II.During the 1980s Apple introduced their Apple III computers. The launch was a galactic failure. The analysts stated that the PC had launched without sufficient tests, as a result some of the units turned out to be defective.Following that Apple continued to bide innovative in product development. One of their greatest innovations was their Ipods which is able to lineage and play music files with the facilitate of their own Itune softw ar. The unique design and ultra port ability made the product favorite for all kinds of customers.Following that they see introduced their first diligent phone, which was in that respect entry in to the booming mobile phones industry. The mobile phone is top rated for their unique features, and enormous designs. It was great success in the smart phones kin. With all their high standard products and innovations the company had remained top rated even in the recession. According to the snatch quarter decl ar Apple Inc, the 2010 second quarter revenues raised up to $ 13.5 billion, the second quarter revenue of 2009 report as $ 9.08 billion. Also the profit margin raised from $ 39.9 % to $ 41. 7 %, Mac PCs shows 33 % unit growth and Ipones shows 131 % unit growth comp ard to the previous quarter. Whereas, Ipods shows 1 % decline in unit growth, the major portion of the revenue is contributed by Iphones.Organisational behaviourAccording to Mullins, (2005), Organizational behavior as the study and rationality of psyche and group behavior, and patterns of structure in order to help modify organizational death penalty and effectiveness, (Mullins, 2005, p.26)Organizational ending is complex and multi-faceted. finish is nonphysical a nd varies from organization to organization. galore(postnominal) authors came up with relevant theories regarding these subjects. It can be be in simple terms as the modality things argon realize in an organization.Mullins, 2005 stated that according to Handy thither atomic number 18 4 main ways that organizational polish can be classified, they argon as followsPower CultureRole CultureTask CulturePerson CulturePower CultureOrganization in this category operate to restrain minimal rules and regulations, homogeneouswise it is largely dependant on a central address. The decisions atomic number 18 made by this central character or a central group. The focus group of Apple Inc give up foldd to be silk hat at what they atomic number 18 doing so far. though this type of goal is adopted by small enterprises, Apple Inc earn adopted this due to the fact that they emphasise on delivering quality over anything else.Role CultureThe organization in this category, tend to have a bureaucratic way of organizational market-gardening. It real much sticks to the rules and regulations of the company. In this market-gardening, organizations tend to cream as the strong pillars, where individual values have little importance, whereas the gravels play important roles. In Apple Inc, there involved a level of secracy as individual opinions were not acepted at all points and there were f lawfulnesss in communication as well. While looked upon from a serviceman option view, this proved to have exciseed the product development at various(a) stages. Where as, when looked upon from a product development prospective, this proved to be a much(prenominal) than(prenominal) than challenging and more demanding quality of significant importance. In intimately cases the pillars are controlled by the role, too roles and job descriptions are more important than individual performance.Task CultureIn this gloss, organizations are more concerned round the objective and chores. It does not pay much importance to HR rules and regulations as this horticulture is more tasks lie. Expertise and individual performance are more valued than the positions and roles. The communication tends to be both ways and the employees are bleak to express their ideas and suggestions at Apple Inc. Also decision devising is not relied on information from a single source and the employees take branch in expressing their opinion or the managers gathered ideas from the co- practiseers.But reports at Apple Inc show that this culture can be difficult to achieve economies of platefuls. In to twenty-four hour periods fast moving digital world, some(prenominal) companies including Apple Inc adopted this zeal of operation. In olden days this has been seen in the aeronautic engineering, but now-a-days some of the multinational IT companies are adopting this style, because they are keen about their organisational goals and tasks.Person CultureIndividuals are the key f actors for this concepts, this culture is normally seen in animal certificate organizations.According to Mullins, (2005) Geert Hofstede too identified four dimensions to organizational culture and work place differences. They are as followsPower DistanceUncertainty turning away individuationMasculinityPower DistanceIn this culture there is high level of disparity. According to Hofstede this culture is totally dependent on the commission in this concept subordinates should obey the superiors. Communication tends to flow from top to down. It is seen in military operations, at the moment organisations are trying to centralize power distance and putting their maximum efforts to total equality in organizations. Apple had this within the management and this was a factor that affected the overall performance to a certain extend.Uncertainty AvoidanceAs Hofstede colligate the national culture and organizational culture, uncertainty avoidance refers to the un transmited situations or unusual situations that a parliamentary law or the employees of an organization feels that they are outlet to face. Apple Inc had this problem as there was a level of secrecy maintained among the employees. They themselves were not aware of what was happening around them.IndividualismIndividualism refers to the individuals being overt of looking afterwards themselves. At Apple Inc, the context of organizational behavior is applicable to some parts of the organization that the employees are self driven. They are highly committed to what they do pertaining to work and were not able to take care of themselves.MasculinityIt refers to the gender difference in organizational behavior, in some society the womens value is not differed from mens but in some society it differs women has less value that the men. Automatically it affect the organizational behavior, if an organization provide the same positions for men and women, it whitethorn bring internal conflict in that finical organ ization. leadershiphip leadership is not about the leader, it is about how he builds the confidence of bothone else. Leaders are amenable for both the big structures that sever as the cornerstone of confidence, and the human touches that charm a positive emotional climate to inspire and motivate multitude. Leaders delivering confidence by espousing high standards in their messages, exemplifying these standards in the expatriate they model and establishing formal mechanism to provide a structure for performing on those standards. (Mullins J. L, 2007, p.362)A diagrammatic representation of leadershipSubordinates-centered LeadershipBoss-Centered LeadershipUse Authority by film directorArea of freedom for subordinatesManager feeds decisions and announce itManagers permits subordinates to function within defined limitsManagers presents problems, gets suggestions and make decisionsManager presents ideas and invites questionsManagers presents provisionary decisions to change subjec tManager sells decisionManagers define limits, and asks group to make decision(Mullins J. L, 2007, p.362)What is good at Apple, Inc?Innovative and task driven cultureApple Inc is totally focuse on innovation, in some other news they forever tries make superior and unique products to gain competitive advantages. For this decide they are in truth keen to choose the best work forte available. Hard work and commitment is the main quality that the company prove from it employees. at that place is a common saying that there is always more work to do than the employees. A relaxed and easy atmosphere is created in the on the job(p) campus, more researches proved that the employees at Apple Inc is relaxed and at the same m highly committed to tasks disposed over by the company. The company is always taking keen sideline to entertain their employees after the working(a) hours. As discussed, the company is recognized as innovator therefore it always opts workaholic people. In one way the company is adopting Handys task oriented organizational culture, in this culture Handy described that organizations are less formal and highly task oriented.It is agreed that Apple Inc is adopting an innovative and task driven culture, but at the same magazine they have very strong work morality and very strict deadlines. The best example for this there working hour, an employee is working 60 to 70 hours per week. The employees believe that apple is not just for making money.The innovations helped the company gain market reputation, at the same cartridge holder it helps the employee to get wind more things any day. That is one of the main things that employees are seeking for, in particular in software and computer related fields. The technology is changing day by day, and Apple Inc is always trying to innovate something which can rage the world. It helps the employees even after they left the organization, the world knows that the employees access out from Appl e pull up stakes be highly committed, task driven and hard working, also they can contribute expertise in to other business in which they are selected for.IndividualismAccording to Hofstede, in this culture employees are resourceful or expected look after themselves. Apple Inc is allowing their employees to work themselves. The employees moldiness run their own shows. Because of that the company is always seeking for the best talents, also the guidance are given occasionally, as a result the employees are becoming self confident and self motivated, and they clearly foc employ and covering high commitment to the tasks. Also they always ready to take more responsibilities. There is common belief in the employees mind that Apple Inc is always seeing for accomplishment rather than the birth building. Individual has the opportunities to prove their ability and get the reward. The opportunity to grow is wide open in Apple Inc. As it is highly focused on the innovation and their keen following to launch something new and inspiring allow the employees make the days creating and challenging. It is astray accepted by the employees at Apple Inc is that every day that they can observe and they can experience something new. Therefore the individual opportunities to grow and learn is more compared to any other multinational firms, also the employees are capable to their own tasks without any guidance.Diversity and Cross functionalityApple Inc is a multinational which is always looking for the best talents and committed work force, therefore from all the parts of world talented people are appointed. Employees are most very much used to work with multinational workforce. It is also allowing the employees to learn contrasting culture and working styles. According many studies conducted, it has been recognise that employees are often find perplex functional activities to perform the accomplishment of the companys objectives or organizational goals.Apple Inc. took a ll the necessary steps to promote diversity among its work force and also there always make sure a non homogeneous workforce. Furthermore they have set up partnerships with various of organizations. Apple Inc has a partnership with National Black MBAs, National society of Hispanics MBAs and the society of Women Engineers. These Kind of organization promote diversity and allow the employees mix with assorted work force. Apple Inc believes that the diversity in work force is one of the important tasks to execute a successful corporate cultureManagers are asked to do distinct tasks other than their working area. some of the multinational firms are adopted cross functional activities in order make their employees multitask oriented and to broaden up their abilities. many an(prenominal) mangers in Apple Inc, stated that they have often asked to cross functional activities which are out of their working area. For guinea pig according to case study, an input manager commented that he is involved in many of the cross functional activities, one day he whitethorn asked to involve in industrial design, another(prenominal) day he may asked to involve in the product design and software engineering. These kind of cross functionality will make the employees to work and enhance noesis in different fields, also they may not be stick in position they will always be creative and active. At the same time the organization will allocate a smooth operation in regards human resource management, it may not stuck if one or more employees are off or on holidays, someone can comfortably cover up the situations.Bonus and BenefitsThe benefits in Apple Inc are differs from locations to locations and it is also depends on the employment status. The company has taken number of steps to make the employees feel good about the benefits offered by the company. The companies benefit programs starts with the insurance coverage schemes, also they initiated Flexible spending accounts, emplo yees stock purchase program, 401 saving and enthronisation plan, product discounts for the staffs, on site fitness programs also they offered the opportunities to work in big projects where extra bonu is offered.As discussed the bonus and benefits somewhat depends on the performance, in the year 1995 Apple Inc has designed and implemented a program called Apple Fellow Program. The main aim of the program is to identify the best promoter and from which employee the company has received extra ordinary contribution. The Fellow program winners used to be the leader and they can guide other for companys progress activities. In return the company offered the Flexi benefit program to its staffs. Also the studies and researches shows that Apple Inc had given free Iphones to its staffs after the unique mobile phone has launched in the industry.Opportunities and Job SecuritiesCareer opportunities are very wide in Apple Inc, as it recognized as an innovator the employee are having wide roll of opportunities to prove their caliber and can build their career on a performance wise. Also Apple Inc conducting many internship programs which allow the employees to gain the thorough knowledge in different fields. The employees working with Apple Inc is coming out with a great confidence. According to Maslows pyramid after basic need of human it very essential that employees feel job security. In case of Apple Inc it is not only a job security, in Apple Incs course the company is not providing employment security but it is providing employability security. The people coming out from Apple Inc is highly demanded, employers are happy offer opportunities for this candidates. Employers worldwide are well aware that these candidates have a wide range experience and they can cope up with any organizational culture. They expect a strong contribution from these candidates.Unique Corporate CultureThe organizational culture at Apple is highly focused on the jobs and innovation, may CEQ s came and made some changes in the culture, but over the time the final corporate culture is totally focused on innovation and the jobs done. They are enjoying an informal culture at the same time they have occupied very strong deadlines and making the employees to have clear focus on the objectives.The founder Jobs did contributed the best of to make this Unique culture possible for this company. Many of other multinational firms are adopting this kind of organizational culture. The difference among these companies and Apple Inc is that the other companies will be more flexible and they might lose the focus and they wont be strict on the deadline like Apple Inc. On the other feed Apple Inc is maintaining the informal culture and task oriented culture but at the same time they are very much focused on the objectives and tasks and they have very strong deadline with no compromise.The corporate culture of Apple Inc, is making the employees or it is encouraging the employees to m ake something Insanely Great and the CEO Jobs said to be the founder of this culture. As discussed earlier many CEOs came and altered the organizational corporate culture, but at the end of the day Jobs came and restructured the culture, after he has jazz back he realized that the company is lacking their original culture which was at time he was the CEO. Experts opinioned and stated the result of this change is Imac.What is spoiled at Apples, IncLack of transparency of informationApple Inc is recognized as an innovator and the products they are offering to the market is unique and high standard. There is secret behavior has maintained from the beginning of the business. In a way it is acceptable that company is in the main focused on Innovations therefore a secrecy in information is necessary, but may reports shows that the secrecy someway making trouble for smooth operation of the company. Their tight control over the information caused many troubles even it had led an employe e to commit suicide in China. Though they have not affected by the recession, considering future growth of the company transparency of information is necessary. Transparency of information helps the investors as well as the stake holders. Many of the multinational companies showing keen interest in making the information available to the public, but at Apple Inc secrecy is there part of the corporate culture.Reports show that the many of the product launches are surprising the staffs, because it is kept secret, only the product developer and the older management are aware of the product. But thinking globally many great ideas and suggestions can find out from the internal staffs, especially from the marketing team, because they are the have the clear picture of market needs and wants. Even the managers used to make wrong information product even during the meetings.Dysfunctional cultureThere are assumptions many times that Apple Incs corporate culture moved to dysfunctional. There are cases reported that many talented people they left the company because they could not adjust and adopt the unique culture of the company. According to the case study vice president is enjoying a great power in the company. Analysts pointed out that the company has less feeling towards relationship with the employees but they strictly focused on the jobs. An incident reported that vice president hired people and assigned a pay scale twice than the old employees working the firm.Unfair Promotions and compensationsThere are many cases that reports unfairness in promotion and analysts say that the employees are treated unfairly. This is mainly because of their unique corporate culture, as discussed earlier personal values have less important in Apple Inc they prefer jobs and innovations but at the same time they are creating a relaxed atmosphere for their employees. Also report says that only top executives are compensated and appreciated for jobs done. The employees claiming tha t even if they come out with new product, they dont get enough appreciation. Also the promotions are given depends on the interest of the managers. There are comments from employees that they are not given enough opportunities grow their career.Long Working HoursApple Inc is always preferred hard working people in another word they prefer workaholic people who does not care about the working hours. An average working hours per week in Apple Inc is 60 to 70, which is more than the normal companies working hours. As we can see this will affect employees family life. The job is also bit stressed and the employees must be creative and enthusiastic all the time. For instance if an employee is working in the product development department for 60 to 70 hours per week continuously they might get over stressed, the particular department needs full concentration all the time he or she is working. There case that former employee sued Apple Inc for violating the labor law California, he compla ined that he used to work 7 days every six weeks. The company is also aware of that, there are cases after working these kinds of long hours the employees were in therapy.Highly Depending on LeadershipApple Inc is highly depending on the leadership, The CEO Jobs has very much influence on the corporate structure of Apple Inc. Analysts sees that without Job Apple will goose egg other than a normal software company. Also analysts stated that the company will be struggling without Jobs. Looking into the theoretical side one can see that Job the CEO of playing both classless and autocratic styles of leadership. In a way he is making an informal atmosphere and creative opportunities for his employees at the same time the company is very strict on the tasks and deadlines like a military camp. The information are very secret and the will not tolerate any making water of the company information. The always kept a secret behavior.ConclusionMany of the issues have been discussed, it has be en realized that Apple Inc as multinational company has a unique at the same very challenging corporate culture. Many supporters have wrote and many companies are trying to adopt this culture, also many studies shows some of the major draw backs of Apple Incs corporate culture. The study realized that the culture has both advantages and disadvantages, the capacity of innovating unique and high standard products the company attract more talented people in to their business, the younger genesis will love to work with as they can learn something every day also they can expose themselves. On the other hand there are some major draw backs, they have no transparency of information also they have long working hours compared to another companies. With some changes the corporate culture of Apple Inc can be the best in the world.RecommendationsThere are major issues that the company can change, they are as followsThe information can be more transparent, the investor and stake holder are alwa ys seeking transparent information. Also it can help to improve product quality and can get tremendous ideas and suggestions from the co workers. Transparency of information will help the company to know better the needs and wants of the market.The long working hours can be changed, maximum of 40 hours working hours will help the employee to relax, a relaxed mind can pull in greater idea than a stressed and week mind.Having multiple senior executives will allow the company to continue their activities, eve if one senior executive left the organisation.All the employee should be treated same, equality is another great fact for the success of an organization, more talented people will be attracted to organisation. Job appreciation will encourage the employees to work more committed and task oriented.