Leadership and Management Strategies at Apple: A Comprehensive Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of leadership and management practices within Apple. It begins with an introduction to Apple, highlighting its history and founders. The report then explores the roles of leaders and managers in various situational contexts, including conflict management, employee turnover, recruitment, and technology advancement. Different leadership theories and models, such as situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency theory, are examined. The report assesses the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches within the work environment. Furthermore, it evaluates different theories and approaches to leadership. The report also investigates key approaches to operations management, including Total Quality Management, Just in Time inventory, and Six Sigma, and how leaders and managers contribute to these. The importance of operations management in achieving organizational goals is discussed, along with how managers and leaders improve operational efficiencies. Finally, the report analyzes the factors within the business environment that impact operational management and decision-making, culminating in a conclusion that synthesizes the findings.

MANAGEMENT
&
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
LO2..................................................................................................................................................1
P2. Role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts...................1
P3.Different theories and models of approach............................................................................2
M2. The weaknesses and strengths of various approaches to situations within the work
environment.................................................................................................................................3
D1. Critical Evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership................................4
LO3..................................................................................................................................................4
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role that leader and manager play.............4
P5. The importance of operations management in order to achieve organisational goals..........5
M3. Managers and leaders improve efficiencies of operational management............................6
D2. Crictical evaluation of application of operations management and factors that influence
the business.................................................................................................................................6
LO4..................................................................................................................................................6
P6. Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers..................................................................................6
M4. Analyses how these different factors affect the business environment and wider
community...................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations refers to the area in which the management of the business
concerned with controlling the process and redesigning the function. It comprises of
manufacturing of goods in a effective way in order to maximise organizational profits. The
Project report is based on Apple. It is one of the largest multinational technology company. It is
founded in the year 1976 on 1 April. Its headquarter is situated in Cupertino, California in U.S.
Its founders are the Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak.
The Study will evaluate how the role of the manager and leader applied on different
situations. Assignment will cover various theories and models of leadership. It will explain
various approaches to operation management and the role of leaders and managers play in it.
Furthermore, it will determine the relationship between the leadership and management in the
organization. It will explain the importance of operation management. Moreover, it will assess
the factors within the business environment. Lastly, it will provide conclusion.
TASK 2
LO2
P2. Role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts
The Leader and Manager are crucial for the business of Apple as their work is to guide
and motivate the employees of Apple in order to increase productivity of the company. Thus,
their role in various situational contexts are discussed below -
 Conflict Management – It is crucial from the growth perspective of the Apple, if the
organization remain free from the disputes and conflicts, it will surely reach towards the
success. Thus, the role of managers is to resolve the conflicts in the organization. Their
work is to listen to the problems of the employees and take measures in order to resolve
them (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015). The role of leader in conflict
management is that they identify the reasons of the conflicts as they watches each
employees closely. Thus, they are able to reach in depth of the problem. Therefore, they
find various ways through which chances of conflicts get minimised.
 Employee Turnover – It effects adversely the profitability of the Apple. If the
Employees of the organization are leaving from voluntarily or involuntary reasons, the
productivity of the business get minimised. Thus, the Managers and leaders of the
company try to find ways through which employees turnover in the organisation can be
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minimised. They are tended to ask frequently about the employees problems by receiving
honest feedbacks from them. They offer them compensatory benefits such as bonuses and
salary increments through which employees satisfaction level get increased and chances
of employees turnover get decreased.
 Recruitment and Selection – It is important for the organization that sufficient number
of manpower is available in the organization for increasing the overall productivity of the
Apple. Thus, the Managers of the company recruit the employees and selects the best
candidate for the vacant job by conducting interview, whereas the role of leader in
recruitment is that they guide the new recruited employees about the culture and their
responsibility for the company.
 Technology Advancement – It refers to improvise in technology in order to improve the
efficiency of the organization. Thus, as the new technology is being introduced in the
Apple. The Managers and leaders of the company gives training and guide the employees
about the use of new technology (Laudon and Laudon, 2015). They provide them training
in order to get them well versed with the updated technology in the organization. By
using improvised technology the productivity and efficiency of the organization get
increased.
P3.Different theories and models of approach
The various theories is discussed as follows -
Situational leadership
This theory is being developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard. In the situational
leadership style the leader changes their leadership style by identifying the organization
situations. The various styles are as follows -
 Directing – The leader tell their employees about their work in terms of how it is being
done in tactful manner. In this, the direction is being given to the employees in order to
perform a particular task of the organization.
 Coaching – In this stage, the employees has inherit skills but for developing those skills,
the leader put some extra attention and gives coaching to their team members in order to
enhance those skills (Situational Theory of Leadership, 2019).
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 Supporting – The leader supports their team member if they want to grow. This is helpful
in building the connection among them. The leader support them in order to improve the
overall performance of their team members.
 Delegating – The delegating refers to the assigning the responsibilities to the employees
of the company at individual level. The leader evaluate their capabilities and strengths
and assign them tasks as per their efficiency and capabilities.
System leadership
In this type of leadership, the leader creates an environment and conducive working
conditions which promote the employees to work at their optimum level. The focus of leader is
to make the employees work at their full potential. The leader creates the sound principles and
organizational strategy to getting things done from their team member in effective way. It is
helpful in providing the leaders tools through which they can easily predicts the employees
behaviour and can take actions as per them.
Contingency Theory
This theory is being developed by the Fred Edward Fielder. Its perception is that decision
are take as per the actions of team members. This theory determines that leadership style is
contingent upon the situations. If the situation is in favour of the leader and they are able to
choose appropriate leadership style as per the situation, the organizational effectiveness get
increased (Hill and Hill, 2017). This theory claims that there is no best way to implement the
leadership decision in the organization until and unless the situations are Contingent.
Thus, by discussing the various theories and models of leadership, it is identified that
leaders of Apple uses the situational leadership style in order to enhance the overall productivity
of the organisation. The leaders gives directions, coaching and provide support & delegates
responsibility in order to getting things done from the team members in effective manner.
M2. The weaknesses and strengths of various approaches to situations within the work
environment
Situational leadership Strengths
 It is flexible in nature as the leaders takes business decisions through identifying the
current needs of the organization. They guide the employees in accordance with
analysing the currents situations. Thus, it is more flexible than any other leadership style.
For example, their is technological advancement in the company. Thus, the leaders are
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able to take quick decision for guiding their team members under the situational
leadership style.
 It makes team able to work together . As the leader identifies that the organization is in
critical condition where it needs that workers and employees work together to accomplish
urgent project of the company. Thus, they started working on together basis and shows
cooperative behaviour in order to complete tasks on timely basis.
Situational leadership Weaknesses
 It focuses more on immediate needs rather than focusing on long term needs. As it is
based on exact needs of the organization it will not be able to fulfil the long term needs of
the company.
 The skill level of leader is required for this leadership style as the circumstances are not
rigid in nature, they keep on changing. Thus, the situational leadership has the skill to
take quick and right decision in comparatively lesser time.
D1. Critical Evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership
As per the view point of the Ivanov, Tsipoulanidis and Schönberger, 2017, it is stated that
Six Sigma approach is helpful in improvising the product quality of the organization. To
minimise the employees turnover the Manager of the Apple will implement Six sigma approach
in the organization in order improve the product quality. Through this the profitability of the
business get increased. Thus, the additional profits will be provided to the employees in terms of
fringe benefits and bonuses. Hence, the employees satisfaction level get increased.
According to Ansoff, Kipley and Ansoff, 2018, it is stated that Just in time inventory
focuses on eliminating the production wastage and helpful in improving the effectiveness of
production function. Thus, the Manager responsibility is do recruitment and select the skilful
labour workforce who are capable enough to take care of inventory levels. The leader role is to
guide their team members to timely deliver the raw materials in order to minimise the delay in
production function.
LO3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role that leader and manager play
Key approaches which are used by the operational management of Apple are as follows -
 Total Quality Management – Quality refers to the parameters which are helpful in
defining the inferiority and superiority in the products of apple. Thus, the manager of the
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company focuses that during production function, employees work in effective manner in
order to manufacture quality products of the Apple. The role of leader under this is to
guide the employees in order to produce products of superior quality. TQM approach is
helpful in increasing customer satisfaction in the company (Total Quality Management -
Meaning and Important Concepts, 2019). Therefore, that's the reason the Apple brand is
popular among the people because of its quality.
 Just in Time inventory – It is the strategy which put emphasis on decreasing the
wastage and increasing the efficiency of the production function. It is helpful in aligning
the production function with the raw material orders. The Managers of Apple informs the
suppliers when the inventories level are below the target line. To decrease the delay of
production function. The Manager directly order suppliers to deliver raw material on
timely basis as per the production schedule.
 Six Sigma – This approach is being developed by Bill Smith in the year 1980. This
approach focused is on continuous improvement in product quality. It is statistical data
driven technique whose focus is on eliminating the wastage and improvising the product
quality of the business. The variation is being identified to overcome the defect of
product. Apple also do Lean Manufacturing in order to minimise the wastage of
production cycle.
P5. The importance of operations management in order to achieve organisational goals
Operation Management is the strategic function of the Apple. It focus is to accomplish
the goal of the organization. Thus, the value of operations management are defined below -
 It is helpful in establishing the quality assurance of the Apple products.
 Operations Management is helpful in managing inventory levels of the organization.
 It is helpful in improving the overall productivity of the business.
 It is helpful in determining how equipments and labour are organized in tactful manner.
 By doing effective operations management, the cost of production can be minimised
(Mahadevan, 2015).
 Through doing operations management the resources of the organization are utilized in
effective manner.
 The production tasks are accomplished on timely basis with the help of effective
operational management.
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M3. Managers and leaders improve efficiencies of operational management
The Managers and leaders of Apple improves the operational efficiency in following
ways -
 Inventory Control – In order to control the inventory of the Apple, the manager of the
company uses Just in time inventory approach in order to minimise the delay during
production cycle. Supply chain Management is done by the managers (Hitt, Carnes and
Xu, 2016). The raw materials are supplied on timely basis for improving the
manufacturing of products. Thus, the overall productivity of the organization is being
improved.
 Quality Control – The manager of Apple is responsible for assuring the quality of
products. For doing this, they uses the Total Quality Management approach in order to
improvise the product quality. By delivery the superior quality products to the customers,
the customer satisfaction in the company get increased.
D2. Crictical evaluation of application of operations management and factors that influence the
business
As per the view point of the Schönsleben, 2018, it is stated that the changes in executive
management or changes in laws and regulations impacts the decision making of leaders and
managers. Thus, to overcome this, the leaders give guidance to their employees as per situational
leadership.
According to Grant, Trautrims and Wong, 2017, it is stated that Technological
advancement affects the decision making of the leaders and managers. The Managers of the
Apple give training to their employees in order to make them well versed with the current
technology.
LO4
P6. Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers.
— It is the framework that helps to identify the macro environment factor that may directly or
indirect impact on the performance of the firm. Thus, every firm can used this tool in the
business to identify the negative and positive impact of factors on the business profitability.
stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors.
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Political Factor — This factor describes that how government intervenes is affect the
performance of the firm. Thus, this factor includes the different types of variables that affect the
business operation through negatively or positively such as government policy, political stability
or instability, corruption, foreign trade policy, tax policy, labour law, environmental law.
Therefore, Apple is the number one American technology company, and they generate huge
income which had $34.7 billion in the bank on June 30, 2015, (Senft, Gallegos and Davis,
2016). Thus, it is the reason it can lead the corporation tax and it creates the negative impact on
the firm so the decision of leader and manger is change as they make strategy according to the
profitability of business. On the other side, The manager and leader of Apple can improve firm
performance to use the free trade policy in all over the world. This external strategic factor
increases the opportunities for Apple Inc. to distribute more of its products around the world it
creates the positive impact on the firm.
Economical factor — This factor defined an economic performance of the country. Thus, this
factor includes the inflation rates, unemployment rates economic growth, interest rates,
disposable income of consumers and currency rates etc (Schwalbe, 2015). Therefore, the
manager of apple purchased the product through chines manufacturing that means Apple’s
dependence on Chinese manufacturing as when the labour rate is increased in china it creates
negative impact because the cost of production could be increased. On the other side, to improve
the position in international market the manger of Apple takes decisions to enter in developing
country it creates the positive advantage. For example, The Asian county is the growing
economy, Apple can sale their product in international market and take advantage by increase
revenue.
Social factor — This factor is describe the norms, and attributes of the population. It includes,
income class, living of standards, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes, safety
perspective, health consciousness, and cultural barriers (Vaishnavi and Kuechler, 2015).
Therefore, Anti apple sentiments it creates the negative impact it reduced the brand image and
customer loyalty towards the product. Therefore, the leader and manager take the best decision
and reduce the problem as they provide the high quality services to the customer. On the other
side, in current trend the demand of branded product is increased day by day as this situation is
increase the revenue of the firm. And it creates the positive impact on the profitability of firm.
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Technological factor — This factor is described that how new development and technology is
affects the business performance (Senft, Gallegos and Davis, 2016). It includes, automation,
research and development (R&D) , the level of innovation, technological changes etc. There are
different types of smartphones in market which affects the sales of Apple, because they provide
the product on lower cost with all facilities as the high use of smartphones and tablets will
decrease demand for Apple’s. Thus, It crests the negative impact on profitability. Thus, to
enhance the demand of product the manager and leader make the best strategies like they use the
best promotional strategy and provide high quality products to customer. On the other side,
Apple provides the cloud computing services in all over the world and it is advantage for firm
because the demand of cloud computing is increased day by day and it creates the positive
impact on the firm.
Environmental Factor — This factor includes ecological and environmental aspects such as
weather, climate, environmental etc. Thus, Apple faced the issue related to electricity
consumption the battery power of Apple is low (Hitomi, 2017). Therefore, it can reduce the
demand of product due to high consumption of electricity and it creates the negative impact on
the sale of product, on the other side, the manager of Apple use the different technology tools
also using the newer and more efficient technologies among businesses to enhance the demand
of phone. Thus, Apple has offered the high quality and attractive products by taking opportunity
to improve its operational cost efficiencies as well as environmentally aware customer
population and it creates the positive impact on the firm.
Legal Factor — This factor describes the government rules and regulations. It includes different
laws such as discrimination laws, antitrust laws, employment laws, consumer protection laws,
copyright and patent laws (Schwalbe, 2015). Therefore, Apple follow consumer protection low
which creates the positive impact on the loyalty of customer. Thus, customer are trust with the
firm policy, and they purchase the product without any hesitation. On the other side, the pressure
of government is increased in the digital age has resulted in increasing privacy regulations on
businesses and it is affects the overall performance of the Apple.
M4. Analyses how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community.
PESTLE factors affects the business environment and wider community. There are
different types of factor which affects the performance of the Apple. Therefore, Political factor is
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affects the business. For example, import and export tax is affects the sales and revenue of Apple
positively or negatively. On the other side, economic factor is also affect like national and
foreign economy is affects the demand of apple product on the basis of potential income of
customers. Therefore, the social factor is influence the decision-making power of firm like, firm
decide their strategy according to the needs and wants of the customer. (Laudon, and Laudon,
J2015).
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CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it can summarize that operation management is the
process that helps to manage the overall business activity. Thus, administration of business
practices helps to achieve the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization. The
present report has based on operation management of Apple. The report has described the role of
leader and manager in different situation such as conflict management, employed turnover.
Furthermore, report has explained the different theories and model that helps to reduce
the problem that arise in work place. Moreover, assignment has covered the different approaches
such as total quality management, six sigma, just in time etc that helps business to enhance the
performance. Lastly, report has explained the pestle analysis to identify the macro environment
rad their impact on business.
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REFERENCES
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management: principles and practices for sustainable operations and management.
Kogan Page Publishers
Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2017. Essential operations management. Macmillan International Higher
Education.
Hitomi, K. 2017. Manufacturing systems engineering: A unified approach to manufacturing
technology, production management and industrial economics. Routledge.
Hitt, M. A., Carnes, C. M. and Xu, K., 2016. A current view of resource based theory in
operations management: A response to Bromiley and Rau. Journal of Operations
Management.41(10).pp.107-109.
Hoyos, M. C., Morales, R. S. and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, R., 2015. OR models with stochastic
components in disaster operations management: A literature survey. Computers &
Industrial Engineering.82.pp.183-197.
Ivanov, D., Tsipoulanidis, A. and Schönberger, J., 2017. Global supply chain and operations
management. A Decision-Oriented Introduction to the Creation of Value.
Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J.P. 2015. Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital
Firm Plus MyMISLab with Pearson eText--Access Card Package. Prentice Hall Press.
Mahadevan, B., 2015. Operations management: Theory and practice. Pearson Education India
Schönsleben, P., 2018. Integral logistics management: operations and supply chain management
within and across companies. CRC Press
Schwalbe, K. 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Senft, S., Gallegos, F. and Davis, A. 2016. Information technology control and audit. Auerbach
publications.
Vaishnavi, V. K. and Kuechler, W. 2015. Design science research methods and patterns:
innovating information and communication technology. Crc Press.
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Situational Theory of Leadership. 2019. [ONLINE] Available through:
<https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-situational-theory-of-leadership-
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