Strategic Management And Strategic Competitiveness Ov 778738

Strategic Management And Strategic Competitivenessoverviewchoose One

Choose one public corporation in an industry with which you are familiar and research the company using its website, the EDGAR database, university online databases, Nexis Uni, and other credible sources. Analyze how globalization and technology have impacted the company. Apply the industrial organization model and the resource-based view to determine how the company can achieve above-average returns. Assess how the company's vision and mission statements influence its overall success. Evaluate the impact of each stakeholder category on the company's success. Use at least three scholarly references from the Strayer University Online Library. Format your paper according to Strayer Writing Standards, including a cover page, four to six pages of content, and a references page, typed in Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.

Paper For Above instruction

Strategic management plays a pivotal role in shaping the success and competitive advantage of corporations across various industries. In examining a specific public corporation—Apple Inc., a leader in the technology sector—this paper explores how globalization and technological evolution have influenced its strategic landscape, how the firm leverages industry and resource-based models to sustain competitive advantage, and the roles played by its mission and vision statements, along with stakeholder impacts.

Impact of Globalization and Technological Changes

Apple Inc. has markedly benefited from globalization, which has facilitated access to global markets, supply chains, and talent pools, thereby fostering innovation and reducing costs. The company's supply chain exemplifies this, with manufacturing predominantly outsourced to countries like China, enabling massive scale and efficiency (Luo, 2019). Technological advancements—particularly in electronic components, software, and telecommunications—have continuously evolved, pushing Apple to innovate rapidly. The proliferation of 5G technology, for instance, prompted Apple to develop new devices that capitalize on faster network speeds, thus reinforcing its competitive position (Johnson & Bisel, 2021). Furthermore, the rise of e-commerce platforms has transformed Apple's retail strategies, emphasizing direct-to-consumer sales via Apple.com, enhancing customer engagement and data collection.

However, globalization introduces risks such as supply chain disruptions—evident during the COVID-19 pandemic—and geopolitical tensions, which threaten to threaten the stability of supply operations (Cheng & Liu, 2020). Technological shifts also necessitate continuous R&D investment; failure to keep pace could diminish Apple's competitive advantage. Therefore, Apple's strategic responses involve diversifying manufacturing locations and increasing investment in proprietary hardware and software innovations to mitigate these risks.

Applying the Industrial Organization and Resource-Based Models

The industrial organization (I/O) model emphasizes that industry structure significantly affects a firm's profitability, suggesting that firms should strategically position themselves within favorable industry segments (Porter, 1980). Apple predominantly operates within the highly competitive consumer electronics industry, characterized by rapid innovation and high entry barriers. Its successful differentiation leverages brand recognition, innovation, and ecosystem integration, positioning it in the upper echelon of industry profitability.

Conversely, the resource-based view (RBV) focuses on unique internal capabilities as sources of sustained competitive advantage. Apple’s proprietary technology, design expertise, and brand loyalty serve as core resources that are difficult for competitors to imitate (Barney, 1991). For example, Apple's ecosystem integration—combining hardware, software, and services—creates switching costs and reinforces customer retention (Keller & Lehmann, 2006). Strategic asset management enables Apple to generate above-average returns, provided it continually nurtures innovation and brand strength.

Combining both models reveals that Apple's industry positioning combined with its unique resources creates a strategic fit that sustains its superior performance over rivals. Continual innovation in hardware and services, along with effective market positioning, are essential to maintaining this advantage.

Influence of Vision and Mission Statements

Apple’s vision statement—“We believe in the power of technology to enrich people's lives”—articulates a purpose centered on innovation and customer value. Its mission statement—“To bring the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software, and services”—reinforces this focus. These statements guide strategic decisions, underpin product development, marketing, and corporate initiatives that resonate with consumers (Lashinsky, 2012).

The vision propels Apple's commitment toward innovation and market leadership, inspiring employees and attracting customers who value cutting-edge technology. Meanwhile, the mission emphasizes operational excellence and user-centric design, fostering a brand identity rooted in quality and innovation. This strategic focus influences resource allocation—such as R&D spending—and organizational culture, ultimately shaping the company’s success trajectory.

Furthermore, a clear and compelling mission/vision fosters stakeholder alignment, fostering loyalty among customers, employees, and investors. Such coherence in purpose enhances Apple's competitive positioning and sustains its industry dominance.

Stakeholder Impact on Overall Success

Stakeholders—including customers, employees, suppliers, investors, and communities—directly influence Apple’s performance. Customers drive revenue through loyalty and repeat purchases; thus, Apple prioritizes product quality, privacy, and user experience, contributing to high customer satisfaction (Friedman & Murtha, 2014). Employees are vital for innovation, and Apple invests heavily in talent development and maintaining a motivating corporate culture.

Suppliers play a critical role in providing components and manufacturing capacity. Apple’s supplier management—focused on quality assurance and ethical sourcing—affects brand reputation and operational stability (Luo, 2019). Investors influence strategic priorities by providing capital; investor confidence depends on Apple's consistent financial performance and transparency.

Communities and regulatory entities impact operation risks through social and legal frameworks. Apple's sustainability initiatives and corporate social responsibility efforts aim to enhance stakeholder relations, bolster brand image, and secure license to operate across global markets (Kiron et al., 2017). Consequently, each stakeholder group’s engagement and expectations significantly shape strategic responses, influencing the company's overall success and adaptability.

Conclusion

In summary, a comprehensive understanding of a corporation's strategic environment reveals that globalization and technological change profoundly influence its competitive positioning. Applying industry and resource-based models assists in diagnosing the firm's strengths and market opportunities, guiding strategic choices to achieve above-average returns. The company’s vision and mission serve as critical navigational tools, aligning internal resources and stakeholder expectations toward shared goals. Recognizing the pivotal roles of stakeholders further ensures adaptive and resilient strategies that sustain long-term success.

References

• Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.
• Cheng, J., & Liu, Y. (2020). Supply chain resilience in times of crisis: Lessons from COVID-19. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 56(4), 40-55.
• Friedman, S., & Murtha, T. (2014). Customer loyalty and brand management: Innovations in the digital age. Harvard Business Review, 92(10), 77-85.
• Johnson, R., & Bisel, R. (2021). 5G technology and its implications for mobile communication companies. Technology Review, 118(2), 52-58.
• Keller, K. L., & Lehmann, D. R. (2006). Brands and branding: Research findings and future priorities. Marketing Science, 25(6), 740-759.
• Kiron, D., et al. (2017). The role of stakeholders in corporate sustainability. MIT Sloan Management Review, 58(4), 1-12.
• Lashinsky, A. (2012). Inside Apple: How America’s most admired—and secretive—company really works. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Luo, Y. (2019). Global supply chain management: Strategies and case studies. Journal of International Business Studies, 50(2), 164-189.
• Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press.