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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper looks at Apple and considers their position in terms of the Hayes and Wheelwright Model. The paper outlines each of the four stages, assesses how Apple achieved each of thee stages and argues that they have achieved the external supportive forth stage of the model. The bibliography cites 9 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TS65_TEaphayesw.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
firm was initially successful and then unable to deal with the rising competition from IBM and Microsoft during the 1980s (Yoffie and Slind, 2006, p2). After years of struggling the
return of Steven Jobs as CEO after leaving in 1985 saw the firms revival, with the development of new technology and the ability to look forward the launch of the
iPod which has become an iconic Apple product joined by additional lifestyle products and services, including iTunes, the iPhone and the iPad. The firm has had to manage operations
effectively in order to develop and bring the products to market and gain the niche position that the firm has achieved. The position of the firm and the way in
which they have gained their current position may be assessed using the Hayes and Wheelwright model. This model has four stages which relate to the strategic role of operations. By
looking at each stage the position of Apple may be assessed in order to determine which stage has been reached. The approach may be seen as evolutionary, where a
firms operational strategy develops along a progression and may be seen as moving from a mainly reactive role to one that is more proactive (Barnes, 2007, p25; Hollins and Shinkins,
2006, p17). The way operations develop may be seen as moving increasingly toward supporting and providing competitive advantages (Hayes et al, 2005, p71). The first stage is that
of internal neutrality. This is the stage where there is a focus of the organization on ensuring that the goods or services produced are of the right quality, with the
general approach of the organization being one where it is hoped that there is no "screw up" (Barnes, 2007, p27). The operations are reactive and may be seen as responding
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