Premium Essay

Assignment 1 Bus 508

In: Business and Management

Submitted By kivasthompkins
Words 1473
Pages 6
Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies
BUS 508
Kiva Thompkins
January 25, 2015
Professor Jean Fonkoua

Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies
Social responsibility is defined as “business’s consideration of society’s well-being and consumer satisfaction, in addition to profits” (Boone & Kurtz, 2013). It is not just important that a organization makes record profits, but that they are social responsible to their consumers. How a organization operates can help determine the way the public responds to their goods and services. Apple ®, a global manufacturer and provider of mobile connectivity devices, has made an impact to the technology industry through their products. The following case study will analyze Apple’s response to ethical and social responsibility, how these responsibilities have impacted their reputation, and marketing strategies.
Examine Apple’s Current Position on the Company’s Ethical and Social Responsibilities, and Determine Whether or Not the Company Has Met These Responsibilities. Provide Two (2) Examples That Support Your Position
Social responsibility can generally be broken down into key areas: public-health issues, environmental issues, quality of the workforce, and corporate philanthropy. Apple discloses its Supplier Responsibility Report and Environmental Responsibility Reports that outline its dedication to “ensuring these workers are treated with respect and dignity” and “reduce [their] impact on climate change by using renewable energy sources and driving energy efficiency” (2014). Apple has focused its ethical responsibilities on its own workforce and the environment in which it effects. One of Apples initiatives is to “eradicate unethical hiring and exploitation of workers,” and reported that an average of 95 percent compliance with standard maximum 60 hour workweek

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Bus 508 Assignment 1

...ASSIGNMENT 1 ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP Submitted by Joachim Carvelle to PROFESSOR DELONTE October 23, 2011 BUS 508 ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP The spectrum of entrepreneurial approaches reflects a combination of profit-oriented and social responsibility-oriented perspectives. At one end is the approach where the profit motive eclipses social responsibility, for example Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. At the other end is the approach that, although profit oriented, accords significant priority to social responsibility, for example, Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin group of companies. Steve Jobs, whose persona was indelibly imprinted on Apple opined that “[o]ur belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.”(Jobs, n.d.) That statement reflected an unswerving commitment to the profit motive where consumerism was a means to an end. The following discussion presents Steve Jobs as an example of a business leader who is strongly profit-oriented, and Richard Branson as one whose primary goal is to make a positive impact on society. The leadership style, and major business principles of Steve Jobs Leadership Style Steve Jobs’ leadership poses an extraordinary challenge for description, judging by the basic categories of leadership as delineated in most business curricula. His leadership is best summed up by the Leadership Editor of Forbes magazine in the article Steve Jobs Broke Every Leadership Rule...

Words: 2258 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Bus 508 Assignment 1

...1. Examine Apple’s current position on the company’s ethical and social responsibilities, and determine whether or not the company has met these responsibilities. Provide two (2) examples that support your position. Answer: Apple has accepted there ethical and social and ethical responsibility as it relates to health and safety standards. They have implemented health and safety standards that they expect their manufactures to follow. Their health and safety reforms include short work weeks, a training course on safe manufacturing practices as well as informing workers of their rights (Apple Health and Safety). Apple publically displays this initiative on their website in order to inform the public of their social and ethical competency. As I was reading though the reforms that Apple has implemented I did see room for improvement although there initiates do meet basic responsibilities. The section that explains a maximum 60 hour work week could be improved. This section could include a clause stating that every hour past 40 hours the employees are paid over time and then after 50 hours they are then paid double over time. This might encourage Apple’s suppliers to stray away from the higher end of the maximum work week limit. Apple is has worked to encourage opportunities for their workers to advance themselves. The company offers educational opportunities including free college courses, classes in language skills as well as classes in computer skills. Employees are also...

Words: 1616 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Bus 508 Assignment 1

...Best Places to Work Best Places to Work Best Places to Work During the current low growth economic environment, organization managers have been concerned about keeping expenses down to gain productivity and secure success. Today, companies human resource strategies are focusing on human capital, once employed the effects of the economic climate is less relevant. Instead the focus is to reduce costs in payroll, employee benefits and compensations, whilst keeping a high level of productivity and employee retainage. In this paper, two organizations based in San Francisco, CA, listed as 2015 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® are evaluated in terms of their human resource structures (Great place to Work, 2015) , I will make suggestions as to how to best integrate HR strategies to each firm. Twitter and Genentech Twitter One of the organizations is Twitter, Inc., the online social network for public self-expression in real time. The company has 2,730 US employees at 14 different locations and with revenue of $664.89 million today. Twitter was founded in 2006 and rapidly gained popularity; its website is listed in 8th position as most visited websites globally as of May 2015 according to Alexa Internet, Inc. 37% of men and women Twitter users are 18 to 29 years old, 25% by 30 to 49 years old, 38% is over 50 year old user. It has very effective tools for marketers to censes predict activities for each generation by surfing the conversations...

Words: 1475 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Bus 508: the Business Enterprise - Assignment 1

...Week 3: Assignment 1 BUS 508: The Business Enterprise Professor N. Nayak Discuss what you think will happen to the supply, demand, and price of the product in the short-term. The supply of the pies is based on the demand—the idea that if the price of doing something goes up, then people will want to consume less of it, and vice versa. The ‘something’ has to be good and not bad. Weeds will constantly go up in supply and continue to grow, but nobody wants them, and therefore the supply means nothing. The quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied. In the case of Mrs. Acres Homemade Pies, the supply of pies will increase because the number of consumers has increased, therefore increasing demand. The price of the product will stay the same, because the expansion to provide more staff and use of the facility will bring in more revenue. Discuss what you think will happen to the supply, demand, and price of the product in the long-term. In the long-term, based on the success rate of Mrs. Acres Homemade Pies, I think the supply will continue to rise if the demand continues to rise as well. Given the information, the pies continued to sell and the profit went up for Mrs. Acres—even though the cost of expansion to produce more pies increased. Should the number of consumers continue to increase, the demand for the pies will go up. The makers of the pies will need...

Words: 1246 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Bus 508 Week 5 Assignment Financial Management (Pepsi and Coca Cola)

...BUS 508 Week 5 Assignment Financial Management (Pepsi and Coca Cola) To Buy This material Click below link http://www.uoptutors.com/BUS-508/BUS-508-Assignment-5-Financial-Management-Pepsi-and-Coca-Cola BUS 508 Week 5 Assignment Financial Management (Pepsi and Coca Cola)​ Long time competitors in the soft drink industry, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola continue efforts to gain additional market share. Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? Let’s take a look at these two companies from a financial perspective rather than our drink preference. To learn more about PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Enterprises, download the PepsiCo 2009 Annual Report at: http://www.pepsico.com/annual09/ and the Coca-Cola 2009 Annual Report at:http://www.cce2009annualreport.com/. Review the annual reports for general information. Required: 1.      Read Understanding the Income Statement at:http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/022504.asp 2.      Read Reading the Balance Sheet at:http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/031004.asp 3.      Compute the following financial ratios for both companies and provide as an appendix to the required paper. If you need help understanding the meaning of the ratios or how to they are computed, go to:http://www.investopedia.com/university/ratios/ Liquidity measurement ratio: •    Current ratio Profitability indicator ratios: •    Return on assets •    Return on equity Debt ratio: •    Debt ratio Operating performance ratio: •    Fixed asset turnover ratio Cash flow indicator...

Words: 263 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Assigment 1

...Students, please view the "Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment" in the Student Center. Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center. Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Due Week 3 and worth 240 points Use the Internet to research the Apple Corporation, its current position and reputation regarding ethical and social responsibility, and the strategies that it currently employs to market its products. Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you: 1. Examine Apple’s current position on the company’s ethical and social responsibilities, and determine whether or not the company has met these responsibilities. Provide two (2) examples that support your position. 2. Determine the impact that the publication of ethics and social responsibilities violations made by Apple’s suppliers has had on Apple’s reputation. Support your response with examples of the impact in question. 3. Suggest two (2) methods that Apple can utilize to ensure that its suppliers adhere to wage and benefits standards going forward. Justify your response. 4. Determine whether or not you believe that Apple’s customers would be willing to pay more for its products if Apple had to increase selling prices in order to provide better wages and benefits for suppliers’ workers. Provide a rationale for your position. 5. Analyze Apple’s current overall marketing strategy. Recommend two (2) actions that Apple can take in order to improve its...

Words: 1399 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Human Resource Strategy

...BUS 508- Assignment 2: Human Resource Strategy Latasha Luke Professor Mary Jane Granoff Contemporary Business-BUS 508 2/18/2015 In choosing an industry in which two or more companies that have been voted on some of the best places to be employed and carefully reviewing the Top 100 companies on Forbes I have chosen Wal-mart and Target. Wal-mart and Target are the leaders in the Retail industry. Both have many things in common when discussing corporate culture. Wal-mart and Target are both very customer driven. You can go into a store owned by either business and be met by knowledgeable, helpful employees. The type of service provided is a direct reflect of the type of training that is provided by each companies Human Resources Department. Each company has also embraced the idea of focusing on customers’ needs as well the needs of their employees and realizing that taking care of their employees is a way to build a strong team. Another way that these companies mirror each other is through community service efforts, both strive to be good corporate citizens at a time when the communities really...

Words: 1309 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Bu508

...Running head: Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership BUS 508 Contemporary Business Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership Determine how Five Guys’ philosophy sets it apart from other fast-food chains. Five Guy’s is set apart from other fast-food chains by the history of its origin. Since the company started in 1986 the owners the philosophy was to work out all the details of how to not only create but yet serve the best hamburger and fries. Five Guys uses only the freshest ingredients’ to cook and serve to its customers. In comparison with other fast-food chains in the market place today only two can compare but not surpass the Five Guy’s philosophy. The first fast food chain Wendy’s was created in a similar fashion. In 1996 several years later the first Wendy’s was opened. It philosophy was to also to sever fresh not frozen beef and to be cooked as ordered. This was similar to Five Guy’s however the freshness part was not taken to the same level. Wendy’s used store purchased produce and buns. Five Guys take the freshness to another level of baking the buns they used. The orders were cooked to order but with Five Guy’s you might get your burger a few moments later then Wendy’s but the taste was worth the wait. Customers did like the flavor of the food at Five Guy’s and would often be heard it was worth the wait. Five Guy’s best philosophy was that it went out into the community to local vendors and suppliers...

Words: 1177 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Business Analysis

...Contemporary Business Assignment 1: Business Analysis Dana Morrison Dr. William Bonaparte BUS 508 Strayer University October 24, 2015 1. Provide a brief description of an organization where you currently work, would like to work, or one in which you have an interest that you have chosen for this assignment. In 1914 Edwin Booz started his management consulting firm renamed Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) in 1943. BAH is considered one of the oldest management consulting firms. Edwin Booz believed in a new approach to management. He believed that if you could find the right people, properly place them in the right position and provide the best possible support that the end result would be better than any theory or method. Ed believed that the three key attributes involved in placing the right person with the right partner were character, intelligence, and industry. These key attributes continue to be the core of their business and are otherwise known as "Boozisms" within the organization. In 1940 the U.S. Navy contacted BAH due to its reputation and success in management consulting and its performance with Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Montgomery Ward. Working with Navy planners, Booz consultants began working to develop a special sensor system that could track German U-boat's and assisted Navy planners with designing an attack strategy. This collaboration, by war's end, led to sinking or crippling most of the German submarine fleet and was the beginning of a long term...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Culture

...Assignment 2: Competitive Strategy Presented By: Carolyn Campbell Presented To: Prof. Laura Pogue Class: BUS 508 Date: November 4, 2012 Assignment 2 1. Determine how each corporate culture differs from the other. Southwest Airlines culture was very unique among all of its employees. The company generated a culture around prioritizing their workers over their customers. This family oriented atmosphere that was created enabled worker retention and customer service to skyrocket. Southwest was ranked number one among all major US carriers several times on a customer service as well as safety, price, on time performance, and baggage handling basis. Both customer and employees were expected to be treated with respect and dignity. This would soon be incorporated with red hearts on banners and posters as reminders of compassion that was expectant toward employees and customers. Fun was also incorporated into the company’s core value as a form of behavior that employees exhibited while performing their jobs. The company’s day-to-day operations included jokes and pranks, as well as frequent company-sponsored party to boost employee morals. The management team within Southwest Airlines was given roles to ensure that employees were proud of the company that they worked for. Managers were expected to spend at least one-third of their time amongst their workers, observing and ensuring that demands were met and also listening to employees concerns and suggestions. Managers and...

Words: 1131 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Entrepreneurial Leadership

...Assignment 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership BUS 508 Taura Boykin July 22, 2012 Dr. Ann Pohira-Vieth Assignment 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership Determine How Five Guys’ Philosophy Sets it Apart From Other Fast-food Chains Five Guys follows the philosophy of focusing on a few items, and serving them fresh to order. Five Guys is not your typical fast food chain for a number of reasons, one being that they limit their menu. Five Guys serves burgers made to order, which are fresh and never frozen (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Customers can customize their burger with a choice of 17 free toppings such as ketchup, mustard, and jalapeno peppers. The buns are toasted on a grill for better taste, rather than in a bun toaster. The potatoes for the fries are grown in northern Idaho, and are cooked in peanut oil (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Although they may not have a drive-thru, Five Guys offers a sit down restaurant in a warm, clean environment. Analyze the Original Values for the Start-up Company and How it Remains Strong Today Values of a company play a very important part in establishing a business in today's competitive market. The first Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in Arlington, Virginia in 1986 by the Murrell family (Five Guys’, 2011). The family opened a carry out burger joint in Arlington, Va., that served hand formed burgers and fresh cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil. The Murrell family wanted to provide good food and to keep it simple. The founder of Five Guys believe...

Words: 1053 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Strayer Univ./Bus 508 - Contemporary Business

...Competitive Strategies Pg 1 A Battle in Technology Bus 508-Contemporary Business November 2, 2013 Dr. Jean Fonkoua Competitive Strategies pg 2 The U.S offers a free market where businesses are able to have free enterprise to open and operate an ideal to provide a product or service to the public. There are many businesses that offer similar products and create competition (2013, 02). Consumers are able to have options in the marketplace. Apple Inc. and Microsoft are two companies that offer similar products to consumers. Apple, created by Steve Jobs, is an American multinational cooperation headquartered in Cupertino, California that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Microsoft, created by Bill Gates, is an American multinational software cooperation headquartered in Redmond, Washington that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. This paper will discuss how the cooperate culture of these two companies differ, three ways that each unique culture has benefited by the other’s competition, and how these companies will potentially thrive in the future. The cooperate culture of these two technology giants are very different in that Apple is more conservative, distinct, and expensive, whereas in Microsoft is more personalized, flexible, and affordable. Apple has masterfully executed a plan to sell high-priced...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Public Personnel

...Assignment 1: Public Personnel Today Abstract Defining the needs of public personnel today, analyzing and explaining critical trends affecting the growth of public personnel today, analyzing and evaluating strategies needed to create a diversified workforce as well as strategies the government must address to sustain union membership and representation among public employees will be outlined in the following pages. Public personnel are the employees of federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations. Public Personnel Management involves two separate avenues. The two are public personnel and personnel administration. They both include public employees, managers, administrators, taxpayers, politicians and citizens. Introduction Defining public personnel is somewhat vast, however the term refers to human resources who work in the public sector and provide public services to citizens whether local, state, national, or even international. The public personnel today have four major functions. They are planning, acquisition, development and sanctions. These functions are carried throughout the organization for effectiveness. Public personnel today are facing challenges. The following text will include the explanation of four critical trends affecting growth of public personnel today as well as evaluating four strategies needed to create a diversified workforce and describing four strategies the government must address to sustain union membership and representation among public...

Words: 1055 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Assignment 4: Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security

...Assignment 4: Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security Bus 508 – Contemporary Business Abstract Modern business depends on complex electronic information systems that require computer and internet capability to keep that information flowing. There is a problem when someone outside of that business relationship between the business and the consumer interferes, or hacks, that information flow. An entire industry has been created to protect that information flow from being “hacked”. In 2011, Sony went through what is known as the largest security breach in history. The breach affected 77 million PlayStation Network users, 24.5 million users of Sony Online Entertainment and many more customers across the nation. All this was caused, according to Sony, by an “outdated database from 2007” (Lina, 2011). Assignment 4: Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security In 2011, there were more than 300 corporate security breaches. Sony, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney are among the major firms that have reported to their customers that they have been hacked (Mintzer, 2011). Hacking is continuously happening to companies all over the world. Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading...

Words: 1284 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies

...Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies BUS 508 – Contemporary Management Strayer University   Introduction This assignment will examine the private enterprise systems, drivers of change on the system, ethical and social responsibilities of business, and the requirements for success in today’s business environment. Abysmal corporate ethics and social responsibility has been spotlighted in the media with events such as the Enron scandal in 2001, the BP oil spill in 2010, and more recently, the labor practices at Apple’s, China based, Foxconn factory in 2012. In an ever more competitive market place, events such as these bring ethics and social responsibility into the forefront of qualifying factors required to earn trust that equates to money from consumers. (Alijani 2012, Boon 2012, Duhigg 2012, Ewing 2013) Apple’s Current Position on Ethics and Social Responsibility Through transparency, Apple has spun this very public, internal defect of absent ethical and social responsibility by publishing a Code of Conduct, Supplier Responsibility Standards, and Working-Hours Reports on its commercial website. Additionally, Apple flooded the media with reports about it’s clean up efforts. For example, in February 2012, Apple announced it was the first technology company admitted to the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The FLA conducts independent monitoring and verification to ensure that the FLA Worklpace Standards are upheld (Apple 2014). Impact...

Words: 1166 - Pages: 5