Apple Case Study

Executive Summary

This is a case study of Apple Computer Inc. information system management (ISM). In order to evaluate Apple’s ISM the case will first provide the initial background information as found in Baltzan and Phillips (2009). Next, using Apple’s website additional updates to the case will be provided.

Using that information in addition to other sources, the following five questions will be addressed:

1. Would it be unethical for Apple to sell its iTunes customer information to other businesses?

2. Did Apple gain a competitive advantage from its decision to invest in an online music business?

3. Which of the three generic strategies is Apple following?

4. Which of Porter’s Five Forces did Apple address through its introduction of the iPhone?

5. What MIS principles and concepts discussed in the text relate to this case?

After evaluating all the above, the conclusion will summarize why Apple has excellent information system management that has lead to its continued success.

Introduction

Apple computer was about to be considered obsolete and go the way of so many other companies before it who did not adapt to the new age like Polaroid missing the start of the digital photography era. That was until 2000 when founder Steve Jobs realized he was going down the wrong path of trying to develop video editing software for the Macintosh and did a very quick turnaround to look at the MP3 era.

Apple Case Study

Innovation and creativity had been missing from Apple for 20 years when the introduction of the iPod brought the company back (Baltzan & Phillips, 2009, p. 3). “…iPod, a brilliant merger of technology,