Apple Strategy Apple: An Application of the Strategic Management Model

Current Situation

Apple Computer still has a small market share in the computer sector compared to some other PC manufacturers as of 2006, particularly Dell and Hewlett-Packard, however its share is growing and its profitability is quite high thanks to huge shares in the mp3-player market and in other technologies (Case Study, nd.). The company's vision and strategy of innovation and almost rabid protection of intellectual property rights (real or imagined) are made quite clear by both its actions and its own statements, and the company's performance also speaks volumes about the brand image and operational practices it pursues as a means of achieving greater market share and profitability (Apple, 2012; NY Times, 2012; Yahoo Finance, 2012). There appears to be a great deal of cohesion in the mission, objectives, values, and operations of the company, which functions quite cohesively (NY Times, 2012).

Corporate Governance

Stock in Apple Computers is publicly traded, and executives at the company own large portions of stock and have derived a great deal of wealth from stock benefits and ownership (Yahoo Finance, 2012). Board members have extensive experience in business and/or technology enterprises, and have been quite successful in their strategy...

Until his recent death, and certainly at the time of the case study, Steve Jobs was the most prominent executive at the company and by all accounts was instrumental in its success (Apple, 2012; Yahoo Finance, 2012; NY Times, 2012).
Strategic Analysis (SWOT)

The external environment of the company is currently impacted by economic, technological, and ethical issues, the latter including human rights and environmental concerns (NY Times, 2012; Gupta, 2012). Because of the company's retail control and the perceived uniqueness of many of its products, however, it is able to meet these challenges very much on its own terms (NY Times, 2012; Gupta, 2012). Suppliers and governments are most influential in the immediate term, yet these are not actually exercising major influence over the company at the current time and its profitability continues to soar (NY Times, 2012; Yahoo Finance, 2012).

As both the Case Study (nd.) and current information make clear, the company has very strong and cohesive marketing campaigns in place, with effective branding a major source of the company's success and providing a high profit margin and strong financial footing for the firm (NY…