Strategic Analysis of Apple: SWOT, TOWS, VRIO, and KMIS

This report provides a comprehensive strategic analysis of Apple, examining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in the context of its competitive environment. The analysis extends to the TOWS matrix, which explores strategic options by matching internal factors with external ones, and the VRIO framework, assessing the value, rarity, imitability, and organization of Apple's resources and capabilities. Furthermore, the report investigates the application of Knowledge Management Information Systems (KMIS) within Apple, including intranet-based systems, groupware, and innovation support tools, to improve product development and maintain a competitive edge. The report highlights how these systems contribute to knowledge sharing, informed decision-making, and the protection of intellectual property, ultimately supporting Apple's innovation and market strategy.

Summative Assessment

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
In the open market place organization identify opportunity and threats prevailing in the open
market in order to frame strategies to overcome them accordingly. By discovering opportunities
in advance management organization is able to mould them into their business benefits which is
a positive mark for the business in the competitive market place. Apple is undertaken to
complete the report. This leading organization was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and
Ronald Wayne in the year 1976. This successful firm is situated in Cupertino, U.S. Organization
is training their employees timely so that they can fulfil emerging needs of customers in the set
time duration. Continuous research and development work are conducted in order to make
improvements in the designed goods and services. Some of the products of Apple are, iPad,
iPhone, Final cut Pro, Logic Pro and so on. This assignment covers critical evaluation of
strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats of Apple. Brief explanation regarding how
management information system improves performance of business is studied. Additionally, the
three management execution implementation faced at the time of implementing suggestions are
measured. A SWOT, TWOS and VRIO analysis will also be done in this report for Apple so that
the complete market can be analysed and a competitive edge in market can be gained by
formulating appropriate strategies and policies.

Main Body
2) Critically examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of Apple by taking
into consideration all environmental factors including competitors.
SWOT analysis is adopted by Apple in order to identify strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats. With the help of this organization's own strengths and weaknesses are
highlighted easily (Liebowitz, 2019). Management frame tactics to improve the weak areas in
order to gain competitive advantages against rivalry. The SWOT analysis of Apple are as
follows:
Strengths:
 Huge brand recognition globally: Apple is a well-known organization among people
when it comes to personalized and advanced computers. By this firm is able to gain huge
profits in the global market (Todorović and et. al., 2015).
 Proficient research: Apple conduct proficient research in order to design the product for
the customers. By this emerging needs of the customers are fulfilled easily.
 Top Technology: Apple uses modern tools and techniques to make innovation and
modifications in the goods and services like, iPhone, iPads and so on. This organization
is known as well-known across the globe for building and crafting more technology
devices.
Weaknesses:
 Lack of Marketing and promotions: Apple has very poor marketing tactics for it’s
goods and services. Despite of this organization has solidified their grounds by building
loyal and trustworthy client. Lack of marketing leads to less customer base for the goods
and services designed by them (Soto-Acosta and Cegarra-Navarro, 2016).
 Lack of competition: Apple does not compete with rivalry. Customers are aware about
Apple when new goods are launched in the market or when organization come up with
update in recent products.
 High priced products: In the competitive market place Apple’s product are tend to be
more costly as they are using premium pricing strategy. Due to which low class people
are unable to purchase it only elite and middle class can afford to purchase Apple
product. By this set goals and objectives are not meet in the set time duration.
Opportunities:

 Qualified professional: Apple is blessed with the team of highly skilled and potential
employees as well holds years of working experience in branding client’s gods. In the
global market Global continuously create new opportunities with the growth and
expansion of this team in the working premises (Longley and Cheshire, 2017).
 Lack of Green Technology: The opportunity of coming up with green technology is
captured by Apple. Management is ready to launch those products which are prepared
with the help of green technology. Firm has not participated in generating those goods
which is formulating sustainability technology which is environment-friendly.
Threat:
 Market Penetration: The biggest threats faced by Apple is that other Smartphone
companies are adopting Android Software to design innovative Smartphone in the cut
throat competitive world. Due to which competitors are capturing 72.23% of the market
while Apple is capturing 24.55% (Hair and et. al., 2017).
 Increasing Competition: Apple have successfully solidified in the market. Despite of
this Dell, Samsung, Google and so on are giving neck to neck competition to Apple in the
global market. In order to be in the competition Apple revised it’s pricing policy to be in
the leading position among it’s rivalry.
TOWS: This evaluate firm’s external opportunities and compare it with companies strengths and
weaknesses.
 Strength- opportunities: Apple adopts this in the working premises in order to leverage
the strengths of the firm so as to capitalize opportunities prevailing in the open market
place. By this quality of goods upgrades and cost of selling cut-down to a large extent.
 Weaknesses opportunities: Apple is focusing on enhancement of loop holes in order to
attain goals and objectives in the set time duration. By this organization is able to identify
more cheaper suppliers, reviewing processes to decreases cost and developing more
effective marketing campaigns (Cohen and Olsen, 2015).
 Strengths-threats: In the global market Apple adopt the strength’s in order to counter
external threats laying in the global market. Those organization who has more innovative
idea will b e able to compete with competitors easily. Along, with this the emerging
needs of the customers will be able to achieved in the set time span on priority level.

 Weaknesses-Threats: To be in the competition Apple discover various to eliminate the
level of weaknesses and counter threats in the best possible ways. Apple can overcome
this by terminating underperforming staff members, creating more aggressive selling
techniques and closing out poor goods.
VIRO model: Apple is well-known brand it come to purchase personalized computer. They
are able to build loyal customers by selling out quality products to the end users. The brand is
achieved success from years (North, 2018). By using ethical practices and focusing on consumer
service Apple is able to raise their brand recognition positively in the global market. The VRIO
analyses of Apple that are illustrated as under.
 Value: Apple by using three pillars such as, quality, customers service and ethical
activities aid firm in gaining sustainability in the dynamic market place. By providing
quality goods to the end user which arises the value of the product. It ultimately results in
attracting large customer base for the goods designed by Apple.
 Rare: In VRIO model this is the second step it states those factors that are classified
under rarity of respective products and services are their brand image. They are not be
copied by others easily and it is major threat for others too in the global market. Another
factor of Apple is the modern technology used in their goods which made customers to
significantly investment on procurement and creation of special kind of apple goods.
 Imitable: Apple has strong brand image which possess them is difficult to imitate but
can be possible in long run. In the intense competitive world, another factor that is special
features and characteristics in apple goods as well as their quality made it difficult to
imitate in nature. However, it required special process to created for employees. The
major factor that is difficult for Apple to imitate which is global presence as it need lot of
investment.
 Organized: Strong brand image come under respective factors and special characteristics
and quality of Apple goods and services which aid to market their goods. However,
customer retention strategy is adopted so as gain potential outcomes.
3) Appropriate KMIS that can be applied in Apple
Knowledge management system are any kind of IT system which can help in the storage
and retrieval of knowledge which can be used to implement the knowledge in better manner
which can help the companies in innovating their products and services so that a competitive

advantage can be gained in the market. Apple uses various types of knowledge management
systems so that the ideas that are generated can be converted into actual products which can help
in providing maximum satisfaction to the customers (Kasemsap, 2018). Data and information
help in expanding knowledge which can thereby be used to make informed decisions. For
example, the knowledge about the pricing methods adopted by the competitors can be used by
the company to formulate their pricing strategies so that the competition can be efficiently dealt
with. The KMIS is applied in Apple as it helps in manufacture of such products that can help in
effectively meeting the needs and wants of customers so that high level of satisfaction of
customers can be achieved. For utilizing the knowledge in an appropriate manner so that
innovation in products can be brought following KMIS can be used by Apple : Intranet based system: Intranets are private networks of the companies which are
exclusively used by companies so that sharing of confidential information can be done by
the privately owned network. This helps in the protection of data of the company which
can be hacked by other competitors in an unethical manner. The intranet facility helps in
linking the information flow in organisation which also help in providing information to
the employees and maintaining a close link between them. This also helps in preventing
the slowing down of the internet speed due to increasing traffic on the net due to
increasing number of internet users. This system can thus increase the authenticity of the
information circulated in the company. Groupware: This software system helps the teams of a company which are located in
different geographical locations to coordinate their work so that the aims and objectives
of the project for which the team is formed can be efficiently achieved. In this the
information is sent to the users so that opinions and views of users can be gained on the
information shared. This will help in making effective decisions on the project so that the
projects get completed in an efficient manner.
 Innovation support tools: These are the tools that help in designing of products and
services according to the requirements of customers so that highest customer satisfaction
can be achieved (Hwang, 2018). This tool encourages the amount of R&D that takes
place in company so that regular innovation can be brought in company products. In
Apple innovation plays an important role in the success of company as it can introduce
new and unique features in its products so that customers can be made happy. It also

helps in designing the products in an attractive manner that can increase the convenience
of customers to use those products for their facilities.
Justification of recommendations:
 The intranet system that can be used by Apple will help the company in maintaining the
authenticity of the company information so that the private information can be well
protected from the competitors to get imitated. This helps the company in gaining a
competitive advantage in the market. It is important to protect the designs of Apple and
also its ideas as the company regularly brings new features in its products that gives the
company a large market base and also enhances its brand image (Hislop, 2018). In both
the current and future scenario this system will be helpful as in the current scenario this
helps in protecting the data and information of the company and in the future, it will help
in saving its internet costs as the company can use its own internet network. This system
will help the company in achieving its objectives as the company can link all its
departments efficiently which will help in bringing innovation in its products. This
system can thus help in managing the information of company in an efficient manner and
the sharing of data and information can be done privately and within the company. This
also help in improving the performance of all the company members as information can
be shared quickly which help in updating all the employees on new developments in
company. This system thus help the company in achieving its objectives as data can be
used precisely and accurately in achieving its objectives.
 The groupware system that can be used by Apple will help in finishing up the projects on
time and in an effective manner as all the team members can communicate with each
other and share their ideas so that efficient decisions can be formulated. This is important
to carry out all the research projects in a group and also helps in building an effective
team in the company so that coordination among them can be established which will help
in achieving the company goals. This system will be helpful for the company in both
current and future scenario as in both the times effective team work will be important to
carry out projects in teams and the teams need to coordinate with each other so that
desired company objectives can be achieved. This system contributes to the KMIS
approach of Apple as the information system can be used in completing the tasks
irrespective of locations and time of workers so that work can be completed by them

effectively. Also as the work can be done flexibly by workers their performance also
increase and they use their efforts in achieving company objectives in a better manner.
 The innovation support system will help in bringing innovation in the Apple products and
services as it is the main method which is used by Apple in order to survive in the
competitive market (Colomo-Palacios, 2018). Through innovating its products, the
company adds unique features in its products that can increase the convenience with
which the products are used by companies. This helps in increasing customer satisfaction
so that the profitability of the company can be increased. This is an effective method and
has both current and future potential as it is important to innovate the company products
so that the changing needs and wants of the customers can be efficiently met. This will
also help in achieving the goals of the company which is to provide highest value to the
customers by providing them with most innovative products that will enhance their
experience and make them happy. This KMIS tool helps in managing the innovative
ideas of employees which can be directed in building competitive products and increasing
company profits. The performance of employees also get improved as they can freely
share their knowledge which is essential in company to bring innovations frequently.
4) Critically evaluate three key management implementation challenges the organisation may
face while implementing your recommendations.
There are various recommendations that should be provided to the company Apple for the
purpose of managing knowledge and information system effectively. These includes intranet
system, groupware as well as innovative management system. In intranet the company can focus
on securing personal information of their stakeholder’s form intimated by other like competitors
of Apple that helps in increasing the trust and loyalty of customers towards the company and its
products and services (Al-Emran, 2018). Whereas, groupware can be implemented for managing
the entire activities by working within a team in order to communicate or interact appropriately
that gives better results and increase efficiency and effectiveness towards the work performance.
In addition, innovation support system can be used by the company in order to encourage
innovation and facilitates innovative features within the products and services of an organisation
that helps in accomplishing the objectives and take competitive advantages in the marketplace as
compared to their competitors.

Along with this, there are many issues that can be faced by Apple while they can
implement recommendations within the organisational activities as it occurs lack of resources,
sequencing, aligning team members, resistance to change and so on (Archer-Brown, 2018).
Within the context of Apple while the company should adopt recommendations in their business
activity several challenges can be faced such as follows:
 Planning the sequence: While adopting intranet management system within the
company’s workplace there is need to be a proper time, schedule, resources and so on in
order to attain each stages effectively and successfully and the company will face issues
while prioritising their efforts for success (Santoro, 2018). As company adopts its own
internet system in order to protect customers and stake holder's personal information
which will benefited to get authenticity in their activities and stakeholders shows loyalty
and trustworthy relations with the company’s affairs. Whereas, it is not appropriate for
the company as it creates huge cost and require more resources to use their own services
of internet as there is difficult to prioritise efforts and working activities. This is a
challenge for Apple as the company is unable to sequence the activities which are to be
prioritised and must be funded the most making it difficult to achieve the company's
objectives. The management of Apple will also face problems in sending information to
different departments in the company to the concerned employees. Also it becomes
difficult to prevent employees of company in using company's information unethically.
 Aligning team members: Within the context of Apple, if company adopts or implements
recommendation of groupware successfully then it will help in increasing coordination
and interaction among the workers of entire organisation which will be benefited for a
business in order to get high success and profitability. Also, this will assist in improving
the team efficient and formulate appropriate decisions towards the attainment of
organisational objectives (Al-Emran, 2018). In addition, it creates some kind of challenge
while a company Apple adopts groupware system for knowledge management and
information system related to the improper alignment among staff members as all are not
able to link with each other properly as all have different ideas, thoughts as well as values
and beliefs which will negatively impacts on the performance of company. Groupware
can be a challenge for Apple as there will be issues in formation of teams belonging to

different zones and having different languages. This can affect effective communication
among team members thus affecting the ability of company to achieve its objectives.
 Lack of resources: At a time of considering above recommendation related to the
innovation system management there are various resources required that gives uniqueness
in company’s products and services. This will result in gaining the leading market
position by getting competitive advantages as well as gives huge value that results in high
level of profitability and positive image in the marketplace. Whereas, it creates some kind
of challenge as the shortage of resources as innovating things require proper resources
like financial, skilled workforce as well as physical. So the company Apple takes
advantages of those recommendations in order to resolve these issues appropriately
which gives positive outcomes (Abualoush, 2018). Apple introduce innovations
frequently which means that it needs a huge amount of funds available all the time in
company so that innovation can be made. If in some cases there is a lack of proper funds
then the company can face issues in innovating its products and services in the desired
manner.
The company needs to analyse the challenges also in order to overcome from them and take
benefits of different systems for managing the knowledge and information systems or
approaches.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarised from the above project report that in every organisation the
management of knowledge and information are required to be essential as it facilitates the
effective outcomes to the organisation. As this will help in improving the productivity,
profitability as well as customer satisfaction also which gives valuable returns. There are the
requirement of knowing internal capabilities and weakness of company that helps in adopting
and implementing changes by formulating strategies. In order to analyse the strength,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a company along with its competitors are required
effectively as it provides a clear direction towards the improvement and make decisions. After
analysing the internal and external environment a company needs to be developed appropriate
systems for knowledge management information in order to improve their performance presently
as well as in future also. After facilitating recommendations, a company needs to analyse the key

management implementation challenges that can be occurs within an organisation and faced
while implementing changes as per the recommendations.