Overview Of Choosing A Public Corporation With Which You Are

Overviewchoose A Public Corporation With Which You Are Familiar From

Choose a public corporation, with which you are familiar, from one of the following industries: Travel, Technology, or Food. Research the company on its own website, public filings on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Filings & Forms online databases, Strayer University's Lexis Advance database, and any other sources you can find. The annual report will often provide insights that can help address some of these questions.

Write a 4-6 page paper in which you assess how globalization and technology changes have impacted the corporation you researched. Apply the industrial organization model and the resource-based model to determine how your corporation could earn above-average returns. Assess how the vision statement and mission statement of the corporation influence its overall success. Evaluate how each category of stakeholder impacts the overall success of this corporation.

Use the Strayer University Online Library or the Internet to locate and include at least three quality references. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Paper For Above instruction

This paper aims to analyze a publicly traded company from one of the selected industries—Travel, Technology, or Food—focusing on the impact of globalization and technological advancements, strategic models guiding its competitive edge, and the influence of its mission and vision statements, as well as stakeholder roles, on its overall success.

Introduction

In today’s interconnected economy, globalization and technological change profoundly influence corporate strategies and competitive landscapes. The selected company, based on its industry and available information, serves as a case study to explore these dynamics. The analysis involves applying strategic frameworks such as the industrial organization (I/O) model and the resource-based view (RBV) to understand how the company might achieve above-average returns. Additionally, the significance of the company's mission and vision statements and the diverse roles of stakeholders in shaping its trajectory are examined in detail.

Impact of Globalization and Technology

Globalization has expanded markets, increased competition, and facilitated rapid dissemination of information and innovation. For a company in the Technology industry, such as Apple Inc., globalization has allowed it to access global supply chains, diversify markets beyond the United States, and adapt to various cultural preferences (Friedman, 2005). As manufacturing and consumers are spread worldwide, firms face increased competition but also benefit from broader revenue streams (Galal et al., 2020).

Technological advances have continuously reshaped operational capabilities and competitive strategies. For instance, Apple's innovation in mobile devices and ecosystem integration exemplifies leveraging new technologies to sustain competitive advantage (Johnson et al., 2017). Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and 5G technology further influence product development, customer engagement, and operational efficiency (Choi & Lee, 2019). As a result, technology not only underpins product innovation but also streamlines supply chains, reduces costs, and enhances customer experience, thereby altering competitive positioning radically.

Application of Strategic Models

Industrial Organization Model

The I/O model suggests that industry structure influences profitability more than a firm's internal resources. For instance, Apple operates in the highly competitive consumer electronics industry, characterized by significant barriers to entry, intense rivalry, and high product differentiation (Porter, 1980). Market power is influenced by factors such as brand loyalty, technological innovation, and economies of scale. By analyzing industry forces—supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, and competitive rivalry—Apple can strategize to sustain profitability (Porter, 1985).

Resource-Based Model

The RBV emphasizes internal resources and capabilities that provide sustained competitive advantage. Apple’s valuable resources include its brand reputation, innovative design capabilities, an extensive ecosystem, and proprietary technology (Barney, 1991). These internal assets allow Apple to differentiate its products and command premium prices. By continuously investing in R&D and leveraging its ecosystem, Apple sustains barriers to imitation, thus earning above-average returns (Grant, 2019).

Influence of Mission and Vision Statements

Apple’s mission statement emphasizes innovation, design excellence, and delivering an integrated user experience, which guides strategic decisions and product development (Apple, 2021). Its vision to “empower individuals through technology” aligns with maintaining competitive advantage via innovation and market differentiation. These statements promote a unified organizational culture focused on design, quality, and customer-centric innovation, directly influencing its global success (Sinek, 2011).

Strong mission and vision statements motivate employees, attract loyal customers, and influence partnerships. They shape corporate identity and strategic priorities, ensuring the company's operations align with long-term objectives which drive sustainable growth (Kaplan & Norton, 2004).

Stakeholders and Organizational Success

Stakeholders—including customers, employees, suppliers, investors, and communities—each impact the company's performance in distinctive ways. Customers’ preferences influence product innovation and branding efforts, while employees serve as the backbone of creative and manufacturing processes (Freeman, 1984). Suppliers ensure the timely delivery of quality components, and investors provide capital necessary for innovation and expansion (Hill & Jones, 2012). Community and government pressures foster corporate social responsibility (CSR) and regulatory compliance, affecting reputation and operational continuity.

Effective stakeholder management fosters trust, enhances corporate reputation, and secures long-term sustainability. For example, Apple's focus on supplier diversity and environmental sustainability strengthens stakeholder relations, which ultimately supports business growth (Crane et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Globalization and technological change are integral to strategic positioning in today’s industry environment. Analyzing Apple Inc. illustrates how these forces shape competitive advantage through industry structure and internal resources. The company's mission and vision serve as navigational tools aligning internal capabilities with external opportunities, while stakeholder engagement remains critical for sustained success. Strategic management models like I/O and RBV provide valuable insights for steering such organizations toward above-average financial performance.

References

  • Apple. (2021). Environmental progress report. https://www.apple.com/environment/
  • Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
  • Choi, S., & Lee, J. (2019). Impact of 5G technology on consumer electronics. International Journal of Technology Management, 78(2-4), 123-142.
  • Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2014). Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context. Routledge.
  • Friedman, T. L. (2005). The world is flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
  • Galal, M., El Sadek, R., & El Kamary, H. (2020). Globalization and technological innovation impacts on firms. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(3), 303-322.
  • Grant, R. M. (2019). Contemporary strategy analysis and planning: principles, concepts, and cases. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Hill, C. W., & Jones, G. R. (2012). Strategic management: An integrated approach. Cengage Learning.
  • Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2017). Exploring corporate strategy. Pearson Education.
  • Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (2004). Strategy maps: Converting intangible assets into tangible outcomes. Harvard Business Review, 82(7-8), 52-63.
  • Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press.
  • Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.
  • Sinek, S. (2011). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Penguin.