The Functions of Apple Inc.

Abstract

Apple Inc. has become a household name synonymous with products such as the iPhone, iPod, and iPad to name a few. Besides the obvious devices they distribute to consumers, one has to wonder how does this company operates on a daily basis. Like most companies, their organization includes a legal, sociocultural, and economic environment. Other aspects of the company that will be explored are Apple’s management structure and issues of financial and operational matter. There are also possible changes within Apple that will impact not just the company, but technology in its entirety.

The legal environment surrounding Apple Inc. is typical compared to other major companies. Apple Inc. adheres to the primary laws that govern most United States businesses. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is one law that they follow strictly, and even made provisions to add on to the law to govern its employees. The environment, health, and safety policy that is implied enforces constant monitoring by management to ensure the safety of all employees to even include consumers. Where there are no clear guidance or controls within laws and regulations for particular matters, standards are adopted to protect the well being of everyone to include the environment (Apple EHS Statement, 2006). Apple employees and stakeholders are made aware of said policy and any changes therein. One of their other principles for environment, health, and safety during facility operations are to maximize safety efforts, energy efficiency, and being environment friendly.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) makes it illegal for businesses to discriminate towards individuals applying for employment based on gender, race, age, and religion (Editorial Board, 2011). Apple Inc. exhibits a no tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination of any kind. The guidelines of this policy govern employees, applicants, consumers, and even suppliers that represent the company (Apple Business Conduct, 2012). It is also made clear that people who are victims of or have witnessed harassment and/or discrimination towards individuals are responsible to report these actions to management. If these matters go unreported to management, there is nothing that can be done to rectify the situation.

The social environment entails the information of a given society such as demographic makeup, growing diversity, consumer trust, and the ability to go green (Editorial Board, 2011). All of these factors are what businesses consider before establishing themselves in an area. As for Apple Inc. Even though Apple has contracted numerous suppliers and set up factories worldwide, which provided jobs in several countries, they still lack in social responsibility. When previous CEO, Steve Jobs, was in charge social responsibility was not something he concerned with (Chun, 2011).