Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Essay

Examine apples flowing touch on the companys ethical and social responsibilities, and determine whether or non the company has met these responsibilities. Provide two (2) examples that support your position. In addition to increase profits, wiz of the master(prenominal) objectives to many corporations forthwith is to be intimately know for their trusty management and ethical achievement. apple is one of the most central companies throughout the world because of its size and their advanced intersections and services (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012). Nevertheless, innovation is what drives the celestial sphere development and the basis for the economic development. Further more, apple has created about 514,000 jobs in 2011, which is an gal effectic commitment to the economy (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012). Addition on the wholey, because of their business model managementing on outsourcing and their harvest characteristics, orchard apple tree could summarize material issues in two ca tegories environmental equal and supply cooking stove management (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012).These issues seem to be the basis for dread apples corporate social responsibility. First, orchard apple tree productions ar intentional to eliminate environmental impact, by using less energy consumption, itsy-bitsy packages, and recycling modes (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012). However, thither ar criticisms with the danger of some materials used for IPads or IPhones, and the development of material for production. When it comes to supply chain, apples ethical performance policy aligning with the entire supply chain is precise well explained. This goes further than the Foxconn scandal. check to Tyson (2013), Foxconn, which is a popular apple contractor for apple, had terrific workss conditions, where employees would rather kill themselves than build an Apple product. The lack of impressive corporate governance and forceful establishments in where they do business has added to the chal lenges of the function of several suppliers, and high risk for the company when it comes to abusive labor practices and not complying with the law (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012).Apple has the frameworks, and the information and understanding about their influence on society (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012). The main challenge depends heavily on the control of that impact. Nevertheless, Apple seems to be acting as a rational corporate citizen (Sanchez-Barajas, 2012). Apples ambition concerning supply chain management is essential for a responsible business. acquire the impact that the publication of ethics and social responsibilities violations support by Apples suppliers has had on Apples reputation. tin your response with examples of the impact in question. Apple developed their enactment of train in 2005 (Kaiser, 2012). It states that working conditions in Apples supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that manufacturing processes are environmentall y responsible (para. 3).Although their supplier edict of conduct had enceinte intentions, it was not universe back up either by Apple or its major suppliers (Kaiser, 2012). For example, employees were complaining of working long hors in unsafe conditions with little pay (Kaiser, 2012). Foxconn, their supplier in Chengdu, China, was guilty in violating Apples suppliers code of ethics. Many of the employees worked more than 60 hours per week. According to Kaiser (2012), sometimes there would be about 20 employees stuffed inside a three-bedroom apartment. Additionally, Foxconn were employing venial workers (Kaiser, 2012). Furthermore, the factories were poorly ventilated, and the factories were organism flooded with aluminum dust from the machines that shines the casings for IPads Apple has been under fire since the Foxconn scandal. neither the workers nor the factory leaders had much to say about the issue. Therefore, the problem lies with Apple.According to Karimova (2012), afte r checking Apples CSR policy there is more focus concerning the choice of products rather than the concerns of suppliers. According to Karimova (2012), more than 50% of the contractors being inspected by the company have disregarded the code at least one time annually since 2007. The company has been accused of turning the blind philia as their suppliers pollute the country of China (Hay, 2013). Toxic discharges have been aggrieve the communities. These large volumes of discharge within the supply chain have caused great danger to the health and safety of the public. This was not the first time where Apple was scrutinized for environmental infractions and their secretive supply chain management in Chines manufacturing factories, where there products are assembled (Gray, 2013). Suggest two (2) methods that Apple can utilize to consider that its suppliers adhere to wage and benefits standards going forward. Justify your response One method I would suggest to Apple is to make sure that the suppliers are held responsible for any wrongdoings. My next suggestion would be for Apple to have admiration visits to their suppliers manufacturing facilities.Apple should start tracking the work hours of the suppliers themselves and not rely solely on what the supplier has to say. Furthermore the procurement group must interact with suppliers on a daily basis to make sure their labor demands are met. According to Supplier Responsibility (2014), Apple began tracking the weekly work hours for nearly 1 million workers in addition they jump to publish their findings on a monthly basis. As a result, nearly 92% of contractors were in compliance with the company across all work weeks, and the average hour per week was under 50 hours (Supplier Responsibility, 2014). Next, Apple should not tolerate any form of small-scale labor. I would suggest no longer working with suppliers that have underage workers. This may entail moving their operations inside the United States . However, when Apple discovered that their suppliers had underage workers working for them, they demanded them to correct this problem immediately as part of their small-scale Labor Remediation Program (Supplier Responsibility, 2014).If it is discovered that a supplier has underage workers, the supplier must retort that worker to an educational institution and blood line their education to whichever institution they family chose (Supplier Responsibility, 2014). Additionally, the child would continue receiving compensation of what they were receiving while working for the supplier (Supplier Responsibility, 2014). I would also suggest that Apple follow up with the family to make sure the suppliers are holding up their end of the bar pass. Determine whether or not you believe that Apples guests would be volition to pay more for its products if Apple had to increase selling prices in baffle to provide better wages and benefits for suppliers workers. Provide a rationale for your po sition I believe Apple customers would be giveing to pay more for Apple products. This is all due to a simple concept called check off verity.Business dictionary (2014) defines brand loyalty as the extent of fidelity of consumers to a particular brand, expressed through their repeat purchases, irrespective of the market pressure generated by the competing brand (para. 1). I am a loyal customer of Apple. I own several Apple products, and I would be willing to pay change magnitude prices for their products. Apples customers are so loyal that they will camp outside the Apple store hold on the mod release of the latest Apple product. Additionally, when there are problems with Apple products, consumers are very patient with Apple as they  result these issues (Goodson, 2011). They understand to the fact that technical issues will arise, and they will continue to bargain the products regardless to any mis chance ons the company may make (Goodson, 2011). The late Steve Jobs wa s very passionate about Apple products, he incessantly ensured that they were of the best quality and had an innovative design (Goodson, 2011).According to Goodson (2011), Brand loyalty is one of the main reasons Apple is so successful today. First, Apple has built relationships with their customers by being trustworthy and transparent (Goodson, 2011). Secondly, Apple has carried out some very innovative market strategies (Goodson, 2011). Furthermore, they do not focus on the actual product itself, however they focus on what the product can do for the consumer. Apples mission statement is unique. It does not talk about their products, only what they actually believe in. It states Apple is committed to bringing the best individualised computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative, package and Internet offerings (Goodson, 2011, para. 11). The success of Apple is because their mission statement reverberate s throughout either part of Apples operations (Goodson, 2011). Finally, passion and dedication goes into devising Apple products, and people who buy those products understand.Analyze Apples current overall marketing strategy. Recommend two (2) actions that Apple can take in order to improve its competitive advantage in the worldwide marketplace. Support your response with examples of instances where your recommendations yielded the desired results. Since the incorporation of Apple in 1977, investor/advisor, mike Markkula created a 3-point marketing philosophy that has delayed the core of the effectiveness of Apple today (Moorman, 2012). Here is Apples original 3 point match to Moorman (2012)1.Empathy2.Focus3.ImputeThese principles made the company one of the worlds most valuable companies. (Moorman, 2012). Part of their marketing strategy is that they hire customer obsessed, empathetic employees. A major secern to Apples success is that they create products that the customer s are turned on to (Moorman, 2012). This will usually mean that customers will get what they want because the employees are so enrooted in and committed to the experiences of the consumer. Next, Apple has enabled customer discovery and distinction through retail stores (Moorman, 2012). Having retail store gives the company an opportunity to point off their design courageousness (Moorman, 2012). Lastly, Apple has conceived their business model that creates unfailing value for their customers (Moorman, 2012).One action to plan to ensure Apple maintains their competitive advantage in the industry is to lower the prices so people in various urban demographics can have the Apple experience. This strategy will allow Apple to capture high margins with early adopters and drive sharpness among a b pather, more price conscious audience at a later date (Stark & Stewart, 2012). Not every company has product launches that allow it to adopt this strategy, but there are always opportuni ties to evolve and re-price a successful product to address the needs of a new and different customer segment. Apple launched its most new-made iPhone a grade ago it reduced the price of its 3G version to $99. Simultaneously, when its most recent launch of the new iPad, it reduced the price of the iPad 2 by $100. In both cases, Apple established a market for additional customer segments (Stark & Stewart, 2012).The second action plan I would suggest is to always focus on the future, and continue to focus on being the rife player in the industry. As the company continues to create an innovative product, the expectations of consumers begin to rise. IPad sales for Apples fiscal first quarter increased 11% over the year-ago quarter, and the company still maintains 74% market overlap in tablets (Stark & Stewart, 2012). Apple competitors have created products similar to the IPad thinking they would gain an advantage over Apple. However, If Apple continues to create innovative pr oducts they will remain ahead of their competitors (Stark & Stewart, 2012).ReferencesBusiness Dictionary. (2014). Brand loyalty. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//www.businessdictionary.com./definition/brand-loyalty.html. Goodson, S. (2011). Is brand loyalty the core to Apples success? Retrieved January22, 2014. From http//www.forbes.com/sites/marketshare//2011/11/27/is-brand-loyalty-the-core0to-apples-success-2/ Hays, J. (2013). Apple and Foxconn Work conditions, problems and changes. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//factsanddetails.com/china/cat9/sub61/item2282.html. Kaiser, T. (2012). Report Apples suppliers continuously violate code of conduct, Apple does nothing to change it. Retrieved Januray 22, 2014. From http//dailytech.com/report+Apples+suppliers+continously+violate+code+of+conduct+Apple+does+nothing+to+change+it/article23867.htm. Karimova, H. (2012). Apples road to innovation requires some sacrifice. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//eoi.es/blogs/hokuma karimova/2012/05/13/apple%/E2%80%99s-road-to-innovation-requires-some-sacrifice/ Moorman, C. (2012). Why Apple is a great marketer. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2012/07/20/why-apple-is-a-great-marketer/2/ Sanchez-Barajas, D.P. (2012). Case study Apple Inc. and the challenge of a social responsible management. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//eois.es/blogs/dianapatriciasanchez/2012/05/28/case-study-apple-inc-and-the-challenge-of-a-social-responsible-management/ Stark, K. & Stewart, B. (2012). 3 strategies to adopt from Apple. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//www.inc.com/karl-and-bill/3-strategies-to-adopt-from-apple.html Supplier Responsibility. (2014). If companies want to do business with us, they must act fairly and ethically at all times. Retrieved January 22, 2014. From http//apple.com/supplierresponsibility/labor-and-human-rights.html. Tyson, B. (2013). A look at Apples record of corporate social responsibility. Ret rieved January 22, 2014. From http//www.insidebusiness360.com/index.php/a-look-at-apples-records-of-corporate-social-responsibility-2611/