The history of how Apple was founded gives a clear picture that Apple should be a company that is socially responsible both to its customers and its stockholders. It is a company that manufactures software and hardware components and is very well known for its series of personal computers, the iPod and its marketing strategies that are always innovative for its products. Everyone finds the history of Apple being an interesting technological fairy tale of three friends that were once in a single garage and had very humble beginnings. The humble beginnings of the founders of Apple show that the Company should be responsible since its founders have to strive so that the company becomes what it is today. In the business world of the modern times, Apple is believed to be one of the companies that are socially responsible in the world but has received criticism from all corners in the world (Aguinis and Glavas 2012, 932-968). The criticism has worked to the advantage of Apple since it has been able to improve in their social responsibility. The paper discusses the environmental and social performance regarding Apple and how it impacts the society and how the operations of the company should be done (Backer 2013, 805-879). Both the areas of achievement and those that need improvement will be highlighted. Moreover, the impacts and implications of the actions of Apple Inc. on stakeholders and society will be Over the last few years, Apple has come under fire as details emerged surrounding the environment in which workers are in at Apple’s China suppliers. There are worker conditions that are unsatisfactory which include gruelling 24-hour shift, dorms that are overcrowded, exposure to chemicals that are toxic and horrific explosions (El Ebrashi 2013, 188-209). It is with this regard that Apple carried out an audit of many of its suppliers all over the world and found that there are violations of its supplier’s code of conduct. The company, therefore, requested its suppliers to improve the working conditions since changing its suppliers to those that have humane conditions is
‘A Good Apple, Rotten at the Core?’ is a persuasive piece by David Bradlow written in response to the social and political issue all ‘Social Fury’ speakers were asked to write about. David Bradlow’s speech, ‘A Good Apple, Rotten at the Core?’ Delivered 20-Aug-2012 at ‘Social Fury’ contends in an informative yet confronting manner that we should cut down on our need and demand to have the ‘latest technology’, foreseeing that the release of the upcoming iPhone 5 will trigger yet another worldwide attention. This speech is most relevant to those are up-to-date with today’s modern technology, but especially the subsection of individuals whom Bradlow contends are ignorant and self-interested are oblivious to environmental costs that come with
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” (Isaacson). When the late Steve Jobs was a child he was abandoned by his real mother and adopted by the Jobs family. Steve was a stubborn rude man who was ruthless, however he was focused, crazy, and inspirational. His characteristics drove him to form one of the greatest companies today, Apple. The computer company revolutionized the world with a frontline of the greatest products the world has ever seen. Although facing many hardships, the company managed to change the music industry, computer industry, phone industry, design industry and created a tablet industry. Apple envisioned products that did not exist and it thrived from the reaction of its consumers. After becoming a fortune five hundred company, it has continued to develop its products and has remained one of Americans most pristine companies however has also been put in the spotlight on social and ethical responsibilities. Ethical businesses use principles and standards that determine if conduct in organizations is acceptable. The big question has arose, is Apple socially and ethically responsible with their suppliers, the economy, its workers, and its consumers? Is Apple responsible for its supplier chains? Does apple have programs through which they help solve social and ethical issues? Has apple made any financial contributions to address issues?
Within the last decade Apple has become one of the largest growing companies in the world and the largest valued company in the United States. According to a recent article in The Guardian, a global financial news website, “Apple set a record by becoming the first company to be valued at over $700bn (£446bn).” (Fletcher, N. 2014) This comes as no surprise to the average computer aficionado and shareholder as Apple has been making a name for itself since its inception. From its earliest Macintosh models to today’s iPhones, Apple has been a trailblazer for software, technology and revolutionizing the way we communicate on a Macro level. Their dedication to innovation, quality and service has made them
The topic that I will writing about is about the company of Apple and how it is a great company. I will also be talking how Apples is a utilitarian company and makes products that makes the consumers happy. Apple is one of the many electronics company that make computers, tablets, phones and iPod. Apple was a company that was founded by Steve Jobs, a college drop out on April 1, 1976. In this essay I will be discussing how Apples products make consumers happy, the philosophy of apple and how apple also makes people angry.
Organisation Analysis Apple - Value proposition and Culture Apple - Company Description Apple Inc., was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on 1976, is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Its best-known hardware products are the Mac line of computers, the iPod media player, the iPhone smartphone, and the iPad tablet computer. Its consumer software includes the OS X and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media browser, the Safari web browser, and the iLife and iWork creativity and productivity suites. Apple is the world's second-largest information technology company by revenue and the world's third-largest mobile phone maker. “Fortune” magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008, and in the world from 2008 to 2012.
For the purpose of achieving this, it has set out strict policies and procedures that ensures that all the companies that it has business with should provide the safest working conditions for its workers, should treat the workers products which are fairly and that they are supposed to use the environmentally responsible manufacturing processes, as long as it is an area where Apple products are being made (O 'Grady, 2008). The organization’s mission is to produce very high quality goods, at significantly low
The primary goal of The Walt Disney Company is to become one of the world’s leading producers and providers of not only entertainment, but also information (The Walt Disney Company, 2014). The company aims to achieve this by utilizing its immense brand portfolio so as to differentiate services, content, and consumer products. While this is the overall goal, there exist other innate milestones that essentially touch on socially responsible business in enhancing sustainability. They include, but are not limited to; zero net greenhouse gas emissions, whereby the company aims to have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2020; zero waste, whereby Walt Disney hopes to achieve a 60% reduction in waste from
One of Apple’s major ethical issues is the problem of labor. This is a very important problem in today’s world because businesses have a tendency to ignore basic human rights in their never ending competition to make as much money as possible. Outsourcing, using child labor, and overworking employees are all major ethical and legal violations committed all the time by many high profile companies, and often unjustly ignored as it is unfair to the people forced to work in such terrible conditions.
Apple Inc. was established by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on April 1, 1976 as a computer designer, developer and seller company. However, the company shifted its focus from only personal computer to include other consumer electronics such as portable media player and mobile phone in 2007. Apple Inc becomes one of the most popular makers in its field since it seems that its popularity has increased according to a report on www.statista.com that Apple Inc’s products sales was generally increasing throughout the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2014. On the one hand, it has increased its revenue from about 14 billion US dollars to more than 170 billion US dollars in 2013. All in all, the company is highly successful corresponding to its products’ development and their sales growth in world’s market.
Apple Inc, founded in 1976 by Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Jobs, headquartered in California is a multinational technology giant. Developing, designing creating consumer electronics, computer software, online services. Well-known for the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers, Siri and the IOS operating systems which transfers and sync on all apple devices with just one click. Consumers like myself are fascinated with all things Apple. Apple fashioned an assortment of deceives and programs that are not only visually cool but also easy to use and makes my life easier. Apple is significant to me since my Blackberry crashed twice (I lost everything), Apple’s Icloud stores all your information in one step in the cloud. Imagine the world
The tremendous success that Apple has been for the efforts that they have made not only in ensuring that they produce quality products, but also in ensuring that they are socially responsible in their business model (Avetisyan and Ferrary 2013, 115-133). Apple is believed to be one of the companies that are socially responsible in the world, but has received criticism from all corners in the world (Aguinis and Glavas 2012, 932-968). The criticism has worked to the advantage of Apple since it has been able to improve in their social responsibility. The paper discusses the environmental and social performance regarding Apple and how it impacts the society and how the operations of the company should be done (Backer 2013, 805-879). Both the areas
Further investigations revealed Foxconn had been guilty of unsafe and unfair working environments long before the incidents, which included the employment of extended working hours, discrimination, and military management techniques (Xu & Li, 2013). Due to Foxconn’s sole focus on maintaining businesses relationships by fulfilling Apple’s demand of technical products, their subsequent mistreatment of employees was exacerbated and generated 80-100 hours of forced overtime per week (Xu & Li, 2013). However, in an attempt to combat the negative publicity, each firm denied responsibility for the incidents, which ultimately added fuel to the media fire (Xu & Li, 2013). Since then, each firm has enacted superior regulations designed to maintain efficiency while recognizing limitations on labor hours and increased spending on compliance audits (Chandler & Werther, 2014). Yet, as Foxconn continues to sustain their global leadership and Apple’s profits remain unaffected, the disadvantages associated with the incidents at Foxconn have not transcended the outcomes. From a profit standpoint, the increase in spending and subsequent alterations of labor methods serve as the biggest disadvantage to each company’s bottom line. However, after both companies attempted to negate blame, their ensuing developments indicate assuming responsibility was the best avenue to recoup reputation issues and focus on long-term growth. Therefore, the greatest advantage for both companies was their heightened reputation resulting from increased transparency and the employment of business models focused on the welfare of all supply chain
...he other two companies I have written about in my essay, ‘Apple’ demonstrates tremendous results in their aim of minimizing their impact on the environment, which we all should be grateful about (Apple.com, 2013).
Apple’s current position relating to Ethics and Social Responsibility in most recent cases is that Apple has been very proactive with their marketing strategies by being eco-environmental friendly. They’re current movement toward making their products greener toward change has created a positive effect toward our environment as it relates to technology. Apple has five manufacturing components and examines how much material goes into them. (Manufacturing, Transportation, Product Use, Recycling, Facilities). The manufacturing refers to how products are built and hoe much material goes into each one. The transportation is the segment and the engineering team strives to make their product as energy efficient as possible. Their facilities are “greener” oriented at most locations. Apple conducts business ethically, honestly, and in full compliance with all laws and regulations. Apple’s success is based on creating innovative, high-quality products and services that demonstrate integrity in every business interaction. Apple doesn’t tolerate any type of retaliation against any individual. Apple has a supplier code of Conduct to ensure that working conditions in Apple’s supply chain are safe, that worke...
“Chinese factory workers producing objects for major brands like Mattel, Hasbro, and Disney continue to work in grueling conditions, with some driven to suicide, according to a recent report by nonprofit China Labor Watch” (Working Conditions). Many of the workers lived in factory dormitories, which are unsanitary and cramped, with eight or more workers in each small room, with a toilet that requires manually filling the basin with water to flush. “The deserted four-story block is bleak and austere. Beyond electronic security checkpoints are dank corridors with peeling paintwork, pools of fetid green water and stark dormitory rooms filled with cold steel bunk beds and metal lockers” (Life for China’s). Manufacturers in China do not provide adequate protective equipment or other safety measures for workers who used toxic chemicals, such as acetone. Chinese companies routinely shortchange their employees on wages, withhold health benefits and expose their workers to dangerous machinery and harmful chemicals, like lead, cadmium and mercury. “Chinese and U.S. workers differ in another important respect as