Apple Inc. An Analysis of Apple's Operations and Acquisition Potential

Apple is one of the world's premier manufactures of a product mix consisting of electronics goods, and related software applications, in a broad range of different industry segments. The organization is known for producing first-class products that are uniquely designed within a quality niche and this strategy has garnered a loyal customer base over the years of the company's development. The company also provides services, such as software and software updates, that are regularly applied to existing products, and Apple also offers a range of service programs that are focused on the physical maintenance and service of the products that it sells as well. The company has a global supply chain that spans the globe and markets its products in a number of different international markets.

Apple's current mission statement is "Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad (Investopedia, 2015)."

The strategic challenges that Apple faces in its contemporary position include orchestrating its broad product mix, keeping its new product development and introduction process, e-marketing, selling, highly profitable retailing and services business units tightly integrated and functioning well together. However, even if Apple achieves strategic success in these objectives, the company will still need to develop alternative growth strategies in new markets if the company is to continue to uphold its growth strategy.

Operations Management

Apple's supply chain strategy has been effective however and has actually won awards for its ability to perform well in metrics such as speed, agility, efficiency, responsiveness, and innovation and was rated as the number one rated supply chain in 2010 by Gartner's (Wailgum, 2011). However, there are also many issues that are presented by Apple's use of outsourced production partners. For example, there are Apple suppliers in China that produces electronic goods or components that have come under criticism for using child labor as well as violating employees' human rights (Moore, 2010).
SWOT

Strengths

Brand Recognition

Product Differentiation

Innovative Culture

Efficient Supply Chain

Weaknesses

Supply Chain Disruptions

Supply Chain Environmental Concerns

Supply Chain Ethics and Human Rights Issues

Power Vacuum from Job's Resignation

High Prices to Consumers

Opportunities

Create a New Disruptive Product

Gain Market Share in Current Segments

Expand Horizontally and Vertically

Threats

Market Competition

Negative Human Rights and Environmental Publicity

Market Volatility

Limited Expansion Opportunities

Recommendations for Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions have become an integral part of international business and major corporations that dominate many markets have been forced to innovate to find new ways to grow. One strategy is to look to enter new markets through the…