Case Study: Shackleton's Leadership Principles and Apple Inc. Analysis

This case study examines the leadership style of Ernest Shackleton and its application to the contemporary business environment, using Apple Inc. as a focal point. The analysis begins by characterizing Shackleton's transformational leadership, emphasizing his ability to anticipate challenges, adapt strategies, and inspire his team. It then transitions to an analysis of Apple Inc., drawing on leadership schools to assess its current situation, considering factors like market competition, supply chain disruptions, and pricing strategies. The study recommends that Apple Inc. focus on customer needs, refine pricing, and enhance employee benefits and collaborations to maintain its competitive edge. The report concludes that effective leadership is crucial for anticipating risks and adapting strategies to ensure organizational success.

CASE STUDY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Characterising the leadership style of Shackleton and the important lessons in the context of
contemporary business organization............................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
Analysing the situation of Apple Inc. by drawing on the schools of leadership with
recommendations for further development..................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Contemporary management issues are referred as the problems and barriers that are
experienced by business in the modern business environment. It explains the major influence that
these issues have on the overall productivity of businesses in the competitive business
environment. The current report will be based on Apple Inc. which is a successful technology
organization which has a significant market share in the global business environment. This report
will explain leadership style of Shackleton and the lessons which can be learnt from the article
and analysis of the organizational situation by drawing on different leadership styles.
TASK 1
Characterising the leadership style of Shackleton and the important lessons in the context of
contemporary business organization
Shackleton was an ideal leader who has been dedicated towards his goals and created
various opportunities for his team mates in order to gain better advantage in the industry. He is a
wise leader who anticipates the issues previously and prepares effective strategies in order to
reduce the negative impact of these challenges on the business. He had efficient planning and
advance management skills which were useful for him to successfully fulfil the first-ever trek
which was completed in the Antarctic continent (Nikitina and Lapiņa, 2019). When the situation
got worse, the leader shifted his approach and made effective changes in the objectives and
responsibilities for achieving better quality of output. After the vessel was trapped and the crew
members started abandoning the ship, the leader changes his approach towards completing his
responsibilities in order to ensure the survival of 28 expedition members.
The characteristic features of Shackleton reflects the principles of transformational
leadership which is helpful in bringing effective changes in the approach of employees towards
the development of their business. It is an appropriate leadership style that increases the overall
success of the leader in order to motivate the employees and increase their morale in performing
effectively. The leader focus on building better loyalty, commitment and morale of the
employees towards the aims and objectives of the organization which is significant in order to
experience effective changes in the business (Kuzin, 2021). The efforts that are made by
Shackleton in his life are inspirational that helps in generating better ideas for handling situations
with better approach. It is an effective way to deal with the problems and find effective solutions

that are beneficial for the development of the organization. In the contemporary business
environment this quality is effective in increasing the pressure handling ability of the employees.
With the help of this approach towards the management of work, a business is a able to create
growth opportunities for them in the competitive industry.
The transformational leadership style plays a vital role in developing an appealing image
of the leader among his subordinated which is crucial in order to experience better results. With
the help of this aspect, the businesses are able to gain better advantage which is necessary for
them to grow and engage in better practices (Rudawska and Zhanna Belyaeva, 2018). The
charismatic leaders are skilled communicators which facilitates the communication in their
organization and helps their employees to bring effective developments in their work for
achieving better efficiency in the working environment. It is helpful for the employees to identify
their capabilities and enhance them consistently in order to experience better results in the
industry.
There are various important lessons that can be learned through these aspects that may
help organizations in crisis to transform their conditions and gain better advantage in the
industry. The sheer determination and grit of Shackleton is a clear example of self-belief and
trust which is helpful for the businesses to reduce the negative impact of various challenges
upon their organization. It highlights that there is solution for even the worst problems which
should be identified clearly by organizations that may be helpful for them in order to gain better
advantage in the industry. Pre-determined analysis of every situation is beneficial for the
anticipating the risks and preparing effective strategies for neglecting the negative impact of
these aspects for the development of the business in the industry.
TASK 2
Analysing the situation of Apple Inc. by drawing on the schools of leadership with
recommendations for further development
Apple Inc. is one of the most successful technology organization all over the world
having an effective dominance in the market. It is considered as the market leader in the industry
having a wide despora of products which they offer all over the world. The leadership style of
this organization is identical to Shackleton which assumes that anticipating the challenges
previously provides help for making effective changes. With the help of this approach, the

business has been able to enhance their services and gain better advantage in the industry. It has
been able to improve their market standing with the help of continuous efforts towards the
development of their business in highly competitive market (Tarabasz, Selaković and Abraham,
2018). It has led towards the growth of business in the industry which has been the result of the
transformational leadership style that has been adopted by the business for further development
in their organization.
The contemporary business environment may impose several issues for the business as
there are several new players that have entered the market and reduced the competitive
advantage of the organization the industry. These aspects have a significant influence on the
profitability of the organization in the modern business environment as the customers may start
shifting towards other alternatives. The competitors of Apple Inc. provide products at affordable
prices to the customers which is attractive to them in order to gain better competitive advantage
in the industry. This aspects may impose pressure on the business to make effective changes in
their strategy which is crucial in order to grow and achieve better success in the global market.
The business may also face difficulties in managing their supply chain effectively as the
current Covid-19 pandemic situation have disrupted the supply of products and services
significantly. Various restrictions have been imposed by countries on the import of products and
services which has created difficulties for the business to enhance their quality of output and
achieve better success in the industry. These aspects have a significant influence on the business
that reduces the overall productivity of the organization to produce better quality of output in the
industry.
Apple Inc. can enhance their overall productivity by identifying the key factors that have
a negative influence on the success of the business in the competitive business environment. This
will be crucial for the organization in order to evaluate their internal and external environment
for preparing effective strategies for the development of their business. The organization must
consider the evaluation of customer needs and wants in order to enhance their response towards
the new products and services which are offered to them on a regular basis. This aspect can be
effective for the organization to strengthen their business situation and capture more customers
in the global business scenario (Green, 2020). Several customers restrict themselves from buying
the products of Apple as the rates are too high in the market which may impose a negative
impact on the profitability of the business. The company may prepare a better pricing strategy in

order to maintain their dominance in the market and reduce the chances of other business of
acquiring their customers.
The leader should consider providing external benefits to their employees in order to
enhance their morale and provide them with better opportunities to grow in their current
organization. It can be an effective step by the business which can reduce their employee
turnover and help them to achieve better success in the business environment. With the help of
these activities the organization will be able to make effective changes in their approach and
enhance their overall competitive advantage in the industry (Namvar and et.al., 2018). With the
help of better collaborations in the industry the business can strengthen their supply chain
management and gain better advantage than their competitors. This can be beneficial to carry on
their trade practices and recruiting highly competent candidates in the foreign labour markets
which can increase the productivity of the business to deliver better results. With the help of such
efforts towards their development, Apple can further achieve better opportunities in the
competitive business environment.
CONCLUSION
According to the above report, it has been concluded that effective leadership approach is
necessary for an organization in order to anticipate the risks and challenges in advance and make
effective changes in their strategy. This aspect has been beneficial for the organizations to reduce
the negative impact of these challenges and gain better advantage in the industry. The
transformational leadership approach is an effective leadership style which reflects the beliefs
and principles of Shackleton. The learnings from his leadership method is still relevant in the
current business scenario which can be adopted by organizations to ensure their survival in the
modern industry.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Green, H.R., 2020. Contemporary Business Organizations. International Journal of
Psychosocial Rehabilitation. 24(03).
Kuzin, D.V., 2021. Rethinking Management of the 21st Century: Аn Approach to Contemporary
Business Education. Revista Eduweb. 15(2). pp.194-207.
Namvar, M. and et.al., 2018. Simplifying sensemaking: Concept, process, strengths,
shortcomings, and ways forward for information systems in contemporary business
environments.
Nikitina, T. and Lapiņa, I., 2019. Creating and managing knowledge towards managerial
competence development in contemporary business environment. Knowledge
Management Research & Practice. 17(1). pp.96-107.
Rudawska, E. and Zhanna Belyaeva, Z., 2018. THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGES IN THE
CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ON COMPANIES'MISSION AND
GOALS-THE EXAMPLE OF SELECTED EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. International
Journal of Sales, Retailing & Marketing. 7(2).
Tarabasz, A., Selaković, M. and Abraham, C., 2018. The classroom of the future: Disrupting the
concept of contemporary business education. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics
Review. 6(4). p.231.