Strategic Management and Information Systems: Apple Inc. Case Study

This report delves into the realm of Strategic Management and Information Systems (SMIS), presenting a comprehensive literature review on best practices. It explores key concepts such as user privacy, strategic awareness, situation analysis, strategy conception, formulation, and implementation planning. The report examines industry best practice models and develops a conceptual model highlighting factors crucial for developing strategic information systems plans. A detailed review methodology is outlined, emphasizing data collection from Apple Inc. employees to analyze automation processes, and the report concludes by summarizing the key findings, emphasizing the importance of proper business planning with information technology to achieve a competitive advantage. The report highlights the significance of strategic awareness, situation analysis, strategy conception, formulation, and implementation planning as essential factors for effective information system implementation.

Running head: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Strategic Management and Information Systems
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
2.0 Literature Review......................................................................................................................3
2.1 Literature on best strategic information systems practices perceived...................................3
2.1.1 User Privacy and Customization....................................................................................3
2.1.2 Strategic awareness.........................................................................................................4
2.1.3 Situation analysis............................................................................................................4
2.1.4 Strategy Conception........................................................................................................5
2.1.5 Strategy Formulation......................................................................................................5
2.1.6 Strategy Implementation Planning.................................................................................6
2.2 Review industry best practice models where available.........................................................6
2.3 Conceptual model of the key factors for developing strategic information systems plan.....8
2.4 Outline of review methodology to gather project data..........................................................9
2.5 Summary................................................................................................................................9
Reference List................................................................................................................................10

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2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Literature on best strategic information systems practices perceived
The major purpose for which an organization intends to incorporate information systems
are three- appropriate alignment of the business strategy with the information system, effective
planning for strategic information system to identify portfolio of the system and lastly, to attain
competitive advantage through an information system or a combination of information system
(Laudon & Laudon, 2016). Peppard and Ward (2016) highlight three major challenges that is
faced during the incorporation of the strategic information system- alignment between the system
capabilities and strategic intent of the organization, to strategically implement the designed
process and lastly to shape the existing organizational resources with the implemented
technology so that the technology can be utilized properly. Apple Inc. acquisitioned the
information technology as their core business objective is to presenting high-tech mobile
technology to their customers. Business intelligence is incorporated for analyzing, disseminating
and protecting strategic information for making effective decision-making (Galliers & Leidner,
2014). There strategic information system practices are:
2.1.1 User Privacy and Customization
One of the best practices that Apple Inc follows is the user privacy and customization.
Thus, they have developed several applications that fulfill the need of customers based on their
needs. Taken for instance, the practice for customized automation process can be witnessed
through their product range of Apple or Mac, where iCloud is installed through which basic tasks
can be accomplished through digital creation, collection and storage of relevant information. In

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addition to that, Power Mac Store is useful application for the cashiers from where they can
exchange the money and purchase any item.
Cassidy (2016) stated that in order to SISP methodology is an abstract system that
transforms organizational inputs into an effective IS plan. It is compulsory to have standard set
of techniques and supportive tools so that every project can be attained successfully.
2.1.2 Strategic awareness
Apple always emphasizes on innovating things. Marabelli and Galliers (2017) stated that
sue to this innovation people prefer this brand over the others even through other gadgets
provides many more features under less price. In this aspect, Apple Inc. also determines key
planning issues like what is the present gap of their existing technology and the market demand.
Moreover, defining planning objectives is their best strategic approach to understand the
customer’s requirements and then develop products that closely matches with their requirements.
They develop products only for high income group and maintain their gadgets to that level. In
addition to that Lawn et al. (2015) highlight that organizing the planning team is another major
tool for them. Unlike other technological companies, Apple does not have a single planning team
for different project. However, they have different team for a single project. The best and
optimized out of all the team is selected. This strategy is helpful for the employees and Apple
can utilize the other planning to other business functionalities.
2.1.3 Situation analysis
In this aspect, the organization emphasizes on the current business systems, current
organizational system, external and internal business environment, external IT environment and
current information systems. In this case they assess their competitive position in the market.

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Communication system is also values in this aspect, where automation and technological
advances should be known to all the staffs and thus, effective communication system is
incorporated so that all the staff members can get aware of the new technology and utilize it to
attain the organizational functions effectively.
2.1.4 Strategy Conception
Sousa and Oz (2014) stated that an organization identify their major IT objectives, their
identification and evaluation of opportunities for improvement of the existing business strategies.
Apple Inc. in this case identify the high level IT strategies. The major types of information
system incorporated in the organization are: office automation system, transaction processing
system, management information system, decision support system, expert system, knowledge
work system and expert support information system.
2.1.5 Strategy Formulation
Identification of the new business processes, IT architecture, specific new projects and
requirements and priorities of these projects are the major concern in this phase (Reich &
Benbasat, 2013). Apple Inc. develops their IT model by developing their policies, principle,
services, standards and guidelines and products as effectual steps for IT architecture.

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Image: IT architecture for the IT policies in an organization
(Source: Reich & Benbasat, 2013)
2.1.6 Strategy Implementation Planning
In this phase an organization define its change management approach that is to either
change the technology so that employees can be conformable with the newly implemented
system or to shape the employees so that they can learn new technology and to utilize it for
obtaining the organizational procedures. Development of action plan is the important approach in
this phase, Employees if need training are included in the plan. Monitoring each step of the
training or the learning process is necessary in order to evaluate the progress of the
implementation system.
2.2 Review industry best practice models where available
Apple Inc. the effective strategic information system can be witnessed through initiating,
planning, execution, and closedown. The process is closely described as:
Phase No. Aspect of the phase Importance of the phase

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1st Phase Initiating Apple. Initiate a development team in this initial phase. The
team members formulate a relationship with the customer
and learnt about the management procedures, project
initiation plan, project charter and project management
environment.
2nd Phase Planning The importance of this phase can be witnessed through the
accomplishment of the task for attaining the organizational
goals. Team members collaboratively divide the
development of IS to learn about different module of the
system so that effective and customized information system
can be formulated. Budget planning is also a part of this
phase.
3rd Phase Execution The plan developed in the 2nd phase is implemented in this
phase. The importance of this phase is the ability to assess
whether or not the organization is able to follow the plan.
4th Phase Closedown Conducting post-project reviews and developing
opportunities for the next projects are two importance aspect
of this phase. Obtaining these two factors allow Apple Plc. to
evaluate the successful implementation of an effective
information system.
Table 1: Phases to implement strategic information system

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(Source: Created by Author)
Osman et al. (2015) stated that the Apple Inc. properly align the information system
planning with corporate strategic planning so that their business proceedings can obtained
effectually. Kavanagh and Johnson (2017) depicted that the corporate strategic planning for the
concerned organization comprises of- current enterprise, future enterprise and strategic plan.
The information system team members are liable to listings of manual and automated processes
and maintaining human resources inventor along with the technology inventory. In addition to
that the future situation comprises planning diagram (blueprint) of both manual as well as
automated processes and human resource blueprints along with the technology blueprints.
2.3 Conceptual model of the key factors for developing strategic information systems plan
The key factors that are identified from the literature are- strategic awareness, situation
analysis, strategy conception and strategy formulation.

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Practices
Strategy
Implementation
planning
Strategy Formulation
Strategy Conception
Situation Analysis
Strategic Awareness
Best Practice
Change management approach
Define and evaluate action plan
Following-up and control procedure
Identification of new business
process
Identification of IT architectures
Identifying major IT objective
Opportunities for improvement
Identify high-level IT strategies
Current business system
Current information systems
External IT Environment
Key Planning Issue
Planning Objectives
Management Commitment
Image 1: Conceptual Framework
(Source: Created by Author)
2.4 Outline of review methodology to gather project data
Apple implement the strategic information system by identify the stages of growth and
critical success factors like- compatibility of the system, effective communication and
knowledge skills in the staffs (Kitsios and Kamariotou, 2017). Analyzing competitive forces
model through Michael Porter’s model, value chain analysis, internal and external business
analysis, the market condition can be evaluated. SWOT can be utilized for addressing the
organization’s internal strength and weaknesses and external threats and opportunities (Petter et

10STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
al., 2013). This evaluation allows the organization to make effective plan for implementing the
strategic information system.
This research will emphasize on the primary data collection from the Apple’s employee
regarding the automation process. The managers of the Apple Inc. are also considered so that
they can present their views on the current technologies and the development of the technology
for the better product development. The IS strategy process is followed top down planning and
focuses on business processes that are based on the organization’s objectives and mission. Thus,
primary data are collected but both the qualitative and quantitative data analysis process is
utilized.
2.5 Summary
It can be concluded that a good planning in the IS strategy can obtain an effective
competitive advantage. Thus, it is found that strategic awareness, situation analysis, strategy
conception, strategy formulation and strategy implementation planning are the five key factors
that are identified as the best practices to implement information system. It can also be said that
proper business planning with the information technology allows an organization to achieve
maximum profitability with effective organizational functionalities.
Reference List
Cassidy, A. (2016). A practical guide to information systems strategic planning. CRC press.
Galliers, R. D., & Leidner, D. E. (Eds.). (2014). Strategic information management: challenges
and strategies in managing information systems. Routledge.
Kavanagh, M. J., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2017). Human resource information systems: Basics,
applications, and future directions. Sage Publications.