A Detailed Report on Apple's Knowledge Management Strategy

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Apple's Knowledge Management (KM) strategy. It begins with an introduction to KM, defining it as a plan to effectively manage organizational information and knowledge, crucial for innovation and adapting to the ever-changing business environment. The report then explores Apple's background, highlighting its hierarchical and product-based structures, and weak functional matrix. It discusses the approaches to developing a KM strategy, including internal and external methods, and emphasizes the importance of knowledge gap analysis across operational, technological, and cultural infrastructures. The report identifies gaps in operations, technology, and culture, offering recommendations such as improving communication, updating technological infrastructure, and fostering a supportive organizational culture. The conclusion stresses the essential role of a KM strategy for Apple's continued success in the phone industry.

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Introduction
Knowledge management strategy can be defined as a plan that an organization comes up with in
order to manage its information and knowledge better. This will be of benefit to the organization
and to the stakeholders at large. A KM strategy that is good is that which goes hand in hand with
the overall strategy and objectives of the organization. A KM strategy can positively and also
significantly affect the innovation of the organization. For a company such as apple it has to
develop a KM strategy as they have to deal with the ever changing business environment.
Background
Apple is a leading phone company which has over the years continued to release various
products into the market. Its main objective is to be the trend setter in the market by introducing
something new and exciting to the world. They can achieve this through a team of developers
whose main work is to carry out strong research (Bratianu, and Bolisani, 2015). Also they strive to
lead in innovation and to constantly dictate the pace and the movement of technology in the
world. In order for them to achieve this, they must study the market on what the consumers need
at all times.
Apple has a hierarchical structure that is led by the CEO and the vice presidents. They are in
charge of addressing the business needs of the company. The second structure is one referred to
as the product based.it comprises of senior vice presidents who are in charge of advancing the
specific products in the market (Donate, and de Pablo, 2015). The last structure is one known as
the weak functional matrix that ensures interaction among various components of the
organization. The structure mainly deals with innovation process which goes a long way in
supporting development of the brands and pricing strategies.( Nonaka, and Toyama, 2015.)
Approach used in Developing KM strategy
The organization can decide to use an internal approach whereby they will look into the
strategies that they have and formulate based on the same. This is a more reliable approach as the
organization will have first-hand information on the strategies and objectives they have and thus
is easier to develop and align the KM strategy with that of the company. Also they can decide to
go for external sources by observing the changing market behavior which will inform their

strategy or through data publications of various strategies employed by other organizations.
( Donate, and de Pablo, 2015.)
Knowledge gap analysis
This is the process by which the organization critically analyses the knowledge resource that it
possesses and also those that it doesn’t have. By undertaking this process, the organization is
able to understand better on what it requires to do to achieve its goals (Inkinen, 2016). Also,
through the knowledge gap analysis, the organization recognizes the knowledge that they do
have and work on improving or enriching it more for the benefit of the company.in terms of the
knowledge that is lacking in the organization, the company is able to formulate strategies and
policies that will go towards achieving them in order to make the company competitive (Hislop,
Bosua, and Helms, 2018).
In looking at this and in reference to Apple as a company, we will analyse the same in three main
categories which are:
 Operation infrastructure
 Technological infrastructure
 Cultural infrastructure
Operation infrastructure
Apple has to look into its operations and try to find out the gaps that may be present. They have
to identify the knowledge that are missing and which might make them not achieve their targets.
This may be on how the business is operated on a day to day basis, lack of adequate information
that is been disseminated to employees, gaps in the distribution process and several other
operation features. . The second structure is one referred to as the product based.it comprises of
senior vice presidents who are in charge of advancing the specific products in the market. The
last structure is one known as the weak functional matrix that ensures interaction among various
components of the organization.
For a gap such as in the distribution process, they will have to identify the weak link and gather
enough knowledge that will be used to correct the mistakes and thus make the process even
better.

Technological infrastructure
In the present world technology changes at a very high rate and thus if a company does not
constantly check the market it may be left behind. Apple is no exception to this.as an
organization they have to ensure that they strive to keep up with the technological changes that
affect their business in one way or another (Imran, et al, 2017). This may be in the form of internal
or external communication, how work flows, machines and equipment’s used, computer and
computer software’s present or even internet use. Also, through the knowledge gap analysis, the
organization recognizes the knowledge that they do have and work on improving or enriching it
more for the benefit of the company.in terms of the knowledge that is lacking in the organization,
the company is able to formulate strategies and policies that will go towards achieving them in
order to make the company competitive.
Equipment’s and machines used may over time become obsolete and thus the company must
have knowledge on what it requires to keep up with the latest trends. This is critical as it helps
the company to be efficient in its production and also not to suffer heavy costs.
Likewise for computer software’s, this are constantly being upgraded and therefore the
organization must identify the gaps they have and make sure that this is filled appropriately in
order to maximize on the efficiency of their work. (Hislop, Bosua, and Helms, 2018)
Cultural infrastructure
Culture can be described as a characteristic pattern of a particular organization or group.
Organization culture entails the management policies and procedures, and behavior. This is very
important for the organization as it enables it to evaluate on its norms and values that are
beneficial to it (Mohapatra, Agrawal, and Satpathy, 2016).
Apple as an The organization must continue to search for a culture that is appropriate to it in
terms of how it sees itself and also on how it operates. For an organization such as Apple.it is
their duty to ensure that they have no knowledge gap on their culture and thus prevent the
business from being obsolete
Recommendations/Road map

A motivated workforce ensures that the operations re running adequately and this will be
beneficial to the company in the long run.
After acquiring knowledge on existing gaps such as in the distribution, it is upon the organization
to come up with a strategy that will ensure proper mechanisms have been put in place to seal this
gap. This may be through hiring of additional employees to cover areas where the company
might be having inadequate distributors or increasing the distribution channels.
Operation infrastructure
In terms of its governance and handling of day to day operations, apple has to ensure that
information is full disseminated in an easier an simpler way so that every employee has
knowledge of what is required in the organization. This can be achieved by employing a strategic
line of communication through which all important matters of the company are channeled
through.it is also imperative for the organization to ensure that they motivate their staff which
can be through rewards (North,. and Kumta, 2018).
Technological infrastructure
Technology poses a great challenge to the organization if it is not handled in a more careful
manner.
The organization should come up with a strategy which will ensure that all he communication
whether internal or external are handled adequately. They should be able to deal with both
positive and negative communications in such a way that is beneficial to the company (Omotayo,
2015).
Apple as an organization should have a strategy such that whenever new and improved
technological equipment’s are introduced in the market, the have the knowledge immediately
and thus able to plan adequately on purchasing of the same. This can be done by ensuring that
the procurement team have all the necessary tools that are needed in finding out this information
from the manufacturers .the will be able to advise the management regularly who in turn will be
able to allocate enough resources earl enough as they prepare their budgets.( Inkinen, 2016).

This is the same case for computer software’s which is even more frequent as software upgrades
are being done regularly and at a fast pace.
Knowledge of the use of the internet in the organization is a key element and the company
should make sure that all personnel are conversant with internet use as it is critical during this
times in which organizations are carrying out their businesses over the internet. The last structure
is one known as the weak functional matrix that ensures interaction among various components
of the organization. The structure mainly deals with innovation process which goes a long way in
supporting development of the brands and pricing strategies.( Nonaka, and Toyama, 2015.)
Cultural infrastructure
Once the organization has identified the gaps associated with its culture, the next step is to
ensure that the set up various strategies to help them in covering this up. This can be done by
examining the company objectives and strategy that conform to the company’s culture.
The organization can come up with a department within the human resource whose mandate will
be to look into the values of the company in relation to its business activities and advise
management on what is to be done (Mojibi, Hosseinzadeh, and Khojasteh, 2015). This will make the
company not to divert from its cultural values in the pursuit of its business activities. In the
present world technology changes at a very high rate and thus if a company does not constantly
check the market it may be left behind. Apple is no exception to this.as an organization they have
to ensure that they strive to keep up with the technological changes that affect their business in
one way or another. This may be in the form of internal or external communication, how work
flows, machines and equipment’s used, computer and computer software’s present or even
internet use (Orna, 2017).
Closing statements
From the analysis carried out here it can be seen that knowledge management strategy is a very
essential tool in the running of the organization. It is a key element that needs to be integrated

with the strategic objectives of the organization in order for the business to achieve maximum
potential. Therefore for a company such as Apple this strategy is equally important as it strives to
continue being a leading hub in the phone industry.
References
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