THE COORDINATION AND CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS OF APPLE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION: THE CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF APPLE Inc. OPERATIONS

Abstract

Apple is seen as a global organization that undertakes most of its operations across national borders. The focus of this research work is to critically appraise some aspects of the operations of Apple Inc. in the areas of coordination and control of international elements of the operations. This component of the operations of Apple determines the types of global strategies Apple adopts in managing its international operations. Furthermore, the study examines the supply chain management of Apple that consist five main strategies which include the sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and additional after-sale services where returns are evaluated. Apple supply chain management is seen as near perfect but however, there are some shortfalls, although the organization has large network globally. The study analyzed the use of outsourcing or Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); available evidence shows that Apple has virtually outsourced all operations except the designing and innovation operations due to the fact that Joint Venture and FDI seem to have the objectives of reducing operational costs. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Apple is perceived as a means of improving the image of the organization. In contrast, Apple has come under public scrutiny in CSR as a result of the unethical hiring and exploitation of some employees in their outsourced production facilities mostly in the emerging economies. Sustainability is an overall developing strategy in the global scope; Apple shoulders its responsibilities on sustainable growth on the triple bottom line (TBL).

Keywords: Coordination, control, supply chain, outsourcing, operations, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, international, and Foreign Direct Investment