CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND MARKETING STRATEGIES Essay

Submitted By usn2004
Words: 1774
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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
Elbert Hood
BUS 508
Dr. Laura Jones
Strayer University
4/24/2014
Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Corporate responsibility and Marketing Strategies are critical in today’s market and to any principal company in today technology industry. The research of Apple’s ethical and social responsibility and their position on these areas will allow the consumer to conclude if the organization is meeting their responsibility or exceeding. Exploring different references which documents the influence of the organization reputation as a result of any violations will be defined in the research. The research will also determine what procedures can be developed in the future to certify that its contractors adhere to criteria going forward. Finally, the research will evaluate several actions that Apple can take to expand its overall marketing style and outreach to worldwide market.
Overview of Apple
Apple started out by two high school friends that had a passion in computers. They separated after graduating after high school and started to work with different computer companies in the Silicon Valley. They never lost touch with each other during this time apart. In 1976, Steven Wozniak designed the first Apple I computer. Steve Jobs convinced Steven that he needed to sell the computer and on April 1st 1976 Apple Computer was created. (Angelique Richardson, 2008)
Apple’s Ethical and Social Responsibilities
Ethical Responsibilities
The ethical issue for any major organization comes in to play all the time in doing business overseas. Apple is no different than any other. Their main purpose for any business is to make a profit for their shareholders. Consumers want great products but at the same time the consumer do not want to have to pay a high price for it. The World society is changing as to how people are treated in the work place. Apple as one of the major players that outsource a lot of their work overseas has to ensure that the organizations that are contracted by Apple to fabricate, manufacture, and or assemble their products are meeting their ethical requirements. Even though the work that is being accomplished overseas, their laws may different from Apple’s ethical beliefs. Apple is the organization that contracts these companies to perform the work and meet all ethical requirements as described within the contract.
Over the years Apple has contracted companies oversea to manufacture their products. In recent years Apple has falling victim to the media as to how some of the contractors had been busted for having employees working in unsafe environment, living in crowded apartments, and even where having reports of employees have attempted suicide due to the work environment. (Skeptik, 2012). This issue will always be a challenging position for Apple to try and maintain the ethical requirements set out in their requirements and to minimize the media exposure. It is Apple responsibly to ensure that these companies are adhered to their requirements by performing unannounced routine inspections. In 2010 Apple shows a 25% increase in audits of their contractors to ensure that the company is following ethical requirements that are established with in the contract. (Hyatt, 2011)
Social Responsibilities
Since Steve Jobs’ death, Apple new CEO Tim Cook and executives are now faced with the challenges of how to take an inextricably linked brand from the name of Steve Jobs’ to shape and lead the organization for the future. The task at hand is to ensure the loyal customer base is aware of the vision of Apple’s future as it moves forward.
Apple’s biggest competitor Samsung and Apple continuing battling in court over patents over their innovations will begin to fight back and counter sue Apple. If this continues it could restrict choices in the future and the consumers will suffers. Once this happens within the media the consumers will jump ship and go elsewhere for their