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 Introduction

Apple Inc. is a multinational and American company. Its headquarters are located in

Cupertino California. Apple develops, sells and designs computer software, online services and

customer electronics. The devices developed by Apple include iPad, Vision Pro, Apple watch

and iPhone etc. Apple was founded by Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak in 1976.

Apple's success is mostly attributed to its unwavering emphasis on innovation, design, and user

experience. The company's renowned products effortlessly combine state-of-the-art technology

with sophisticated aesthetics, engaging people and establishing new benchmarks in the industry.

Apple, under the guidance of visionary executives has fostered a culture of innovation and high

quality (Zhang, 2018). They have spearheaded forward-looking projects that have completely

transformed whole sectors. Apple's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility

distinguishes it as a prominent corporate leader. The corporation has made substantial progress in

minimizing its environmental impact, using various measures such as the use of renewable

energy in its operations.

Challenges / problems the client is facing

Apple Inc. has several obstacles in preserving its status as a frontrunner in the technology

sector. Initially, the firm is facing challenges due to market saturation and a decline in iPhone

sales, which are worsened by the economic worries caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. As

customers become more frugal and focus on necessary costs, the market for expensive

smartphones has decreased, creating a major obstacle for Apple's development (Jin et al., 2022).

In addition, Apple is facing growing regulatory scrutiny worldwide, particularly on its rules and

practices related to the App Store. Apple's business operations are under scrutiny from antitrust

investigations conducted by governments, particularly in the US and EU. These investigations

have the potential to result in legislative changes that may affect Apple's revenue streams and

entire business model (Chen et al., 2021).

In addition, Apple's significant dependence on foreign manufacturing, particularly in

China, makes it vulnerable to supply chain interruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts, natural

catastrophes, or pandemics. The enduring trade tensions between the United States and China,

along with the COVID-19 epidemic, have prominently exposed the weaknesses in Apple's

worldwide supply chain, causing disruptions in manufacturing and affecting the availability of

their products (Theophilus, 2022). In order to tackle these difficulties, it is crucial to implement

strategic initiatives. Apple should expand its sources of income beyond the iPhone by allocating

resources to emerging product categories such as wearables and services (Zhang, 2018). These

encompass items such as the Apple Watch and AirPods, along with services like Apple Music,

iCloud, and Apple TV+. Implementing assertive marketing strategies and fostering innovation in

these specific domains may effectively expand the company's market presence and decrease

reliance on iPhone sales.

Furthermore, it is crucial to actively communicate and collaborate with authorities and

politicians in order to effectively deal with the problems related to its App Store standards.

Implementing an open and adaptable strategy towards App Store regulations helps reduce the

potential negative impact of regulatory concerns and maintain Apple's image as a responsible

and ethical company.

Purpose of the report

The objective of this report is to offer a thorough examination of the main obstacles and

issues confronting Apple Inc. specifically in regards to the current events that are affecting the
business landscape. This report seeks to provide strategic insights about these are issues are

affecting the stakeholders. In this regard, the report provides a stakeholder analysis to evaluate

the effects of the highlighted issues on the company's internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder analysis

To effectively tackle the numerous issues faced by Apple Inc., it is crucial to have a

thorough awareness of both the internal and external stakeholders. The Executive Leadership

Team, consisting of prominent individuals such as the CEO, CFO, and COO, is responsible for

making strategic decisions to address the identified challenges inside the organization. Their

responsibility for the company's overall success, along with the direct influence of their

performance on their leadership, highlights the importance of their position in navigating through

challenging periods (Jin et al., 2022). Furthermore, the workforce, which includes engineers,

designers, salespeople, and marketing workers, is an essential internal stakeholder group. Their

combined efforts are essential in carrying out strategic measures aimed at overcoming hurdles.

The well-being, stability, and future opportunities of these personnel are closely connected to the

organization's capacity to navigate challenges.

The Research and Development (R&D) Teams are equally important since they play a

critical role in diversifying income streams and retaining a competitive advantage through their

constant pursuit of innovation. Their efforts have a direct impact on the successful launch of new

goods and services, which are crucial for maintaining Apple's dominance in the market.

Furthermore, the experts responsible for Supply Chain Management have a crucial role in

reducing risks related to worldwide production and interruptions. Their judgments have a

substantial influence on the availability of products and the company's ability to satisfy consumer

demand in the face of problems (Chen et al., 2021).

 Various parties have a vested interest in Apple's capacity to effectively address its

difficulties. The company's responses to market saturation, regulatory scrutiny, and supply chain

disruptions immediately affect both present and future customers, who are at the forefront. Their

purchase decisions are influenced by variables such as the availability of the goods, affordability,

and the long-standing repute of the Apple brand. Investors and shareholders, on the other hand,

closely monitor the company's financial performance and its long-term growth trajectory.

Apple's ability to diversify income streams, manage regulatory frameworks, and strengthen

supply chain resilience greatly impacts their confidence (Zhang, 2018).

Apple's activities are significantly influenced by Regulatory Bodies, especially in nations

such as the US and EU. The need to address antitrust issues and App Store standards requires

taking proactive measures to minimize risks and protect income sources (Zhang, 2018).

Suppliers and Manufacturing Partners, who play important roles in Apple's worldwide supply

chain, are directly affected by the company's actions and any interruptions. Strategic alliances are

crucial in enhancing supply chain resilience, since they mutually benefit all parties involved via

collaborative efforts.
 References

Adel, S., Omar, A., & Abdulammeer, D. H. (2021). Employees’ Performance on Apple

Company. Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(4).

Chen, X., Liu, Y., & Gong, H. (2021, December). Apple Inc. Strategic Marketing Analysis and

Evaluation. In 2021 3rd International Conference on Economic Management and

Cultural Industry (ICEMCI 2021) (pp. 3053-3061). Atlantis Press.

Jin, S., Li, W., Cao, Y., Jones, G., Chen, J., Li, Z., Chang, Q., Yang, G., & Frewer, L. (2022).

Identifying barriers to sustainable apple production: A stakeholder perspective. Journal of

Environmental Management, 302. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114082

Theophilus, C. (2022). Problems and Challenges Encountered in International Marketing (On

the basis of “APPLE Inc”) (Doctoral dissertation, Private Higher Educational

Establishment-Institute “Ukrainian-American Concordia University”).

Zhang, Q. (2018). Research on Apple Inc’s Current Developing Conditions. Open Journal of

Business and Management, 6(1), 39-46. doi:10.4236/ojbm.2018.61003