The article presents information about Technology Company Apple Inc., focusing on unrealistic expectations, which investors may have about the firm. Topics include new product development, the company's reputation, which can help or hurt market share, and its share prices, which fell in the fall of 2012. Also mentioned are Apple's former top executive Steve Jobs, Jobs' successor Tim Cook, and its model of secrecy before products are released. A diagram of Apple Inc. share prices and earnings is also presented.
1. Apple’s presence in China is not having a “trickle-down” economic effect on the Chinese state or its citizens.
2. They once held the record as the most irresponsible labor rights and environmental offender of all 29 major tech companies working with suppliers in China.
3. Apple has avoided paying over $74 billion in taxes to the federal government since 2009 by moving their cash to offshore holdings. Recently the company executed a cleverly financed $55 billion payout to shareholders to avoid paying $9.2 billion on this year’s tax bill.
4. Apple receives lucrative government contracts to provide technology to school districts and students. In 2012 the company sold 4.5 million iPods to schools within the US, and a total of 8 million to schools globally.
5. They pander to white folks, men especially, who want to be associated with people of color and racially diverse communities. In a study I conducted with Gabriela Hybel analyzing the content of nearly 200 Apple commercials that have run in the US between 1984 and the present, we found clear trends in who is represented in the company’s commercials, and whom they target.
6. Apple customers are deeply loyal and tend to own more than one Apple product. As of a report published a year ago, one third of US households owned at least one Apple device, and most of those owned more than two Apple products.
7. While they currently have only about 14 percent of the global smartphone market, Apple rakes in the most profit in the industry. In terms of market share Apple ranks third globally, trailing Nokia by a small margin, and well behind Samsung, the global leader.
8. They are the world’s most valuable technology company and the second most valuable company in the world.
Works Cited
Journal of Advertising. Winter2013, Vol. 42 Issue 4, p331-342. 12p. 4 Graphs.
Apple has been able to create almost a "cult-like" following. The company projects a status that is different from other electronics and phone companies. Steve Jobs did a great job of building up the brand, but now Cook must work hard to remain on top
ReplyDeleteApple is doing so well on product design and the strategies. however, they do have many issues at their factories oversea. The factories had violated many human rights. Also Apple tries to avoid billions of taxes. No human being is perfect, same as the company.
ReplyDeleteWow! I did not know how big Apple was. I did help in their cause this year. I like my Iphone. As far as them being as powerful as they are, if you build it they will come. And Apple builds it well. They will only become bigger. As they get bigger, they will try more underhanded dealings. Eventually, it might catch up with them.
ReplyDeleteApple is well known for their innovative design and exceptional quality. However, I did learn a lot of interesting things about Apple I did not know before. I believe Apple will only get more successful and their products will keep getting better
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