Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GLOBAL
GROUP TWO
Mike Lungu-20150660
Charity Banda- 20152757
Clavel Mwela- 20154960
QUESTIONS
What are the pros and cons for local and overseas labor forces of Apple’s
going global? What are the potential political implications for country
relationships?
As a U.S. corporation, does Apple and its management have a moral
obligation to provide jobs for U.S. employees first? If this is the case, then
does this put international employees at a distinct disadvantage?
Is it possible for U.S. managers to organize, motivate and ensure quality in
their Chinese manufacturing facilities?
Explain challenges of managing employees to ensure job satisfaction in an
MNC host country when you are a manager from a home country ( e.g. SA
firms operating in Zambia) based on changes in international relations and
perceptions
THE BACKGROUND OF
APPLE INC.
In order to start operations, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs had sell
a van and two Calculators raising $1,300.00
Two months on after developing their first computer circuit board in
their garage, the sold off 200 pieces $666 each. This led to the
launch of Apple II computer that was very user friendly and they
sold over 100,000 units
Steve Jobs dreamt of having a large company hence he consulted
Mike Markkula a retired Electronics Engineer who later bought 1/3
of Apple at $250,000.00
In 1977 Mike Scott was hired as the company’s President and Regis
McKenna an experienced Advertiser was recruited charged with
designing the Apple logo and also started massive advertisement
of Apple products in magazines and placing of the products in
various stores
BACKGROUND CONT’D
SAME
TRAITS
Pros
There is elimination of the language barrier
Using foreign labour helps to understand the host countries rules and
regulations
It helps in the reduction of costs associated with visas and hiring costs
Cons
The major challenge is management of the company
There is lack of understanding of the company’s culture by foreign
managers and general employees
Challenge of creating the perception of ‘us vs them’
As a U.S. corporation, does Apple and its
management have a moral obligation to provide
jobs for U.S. employees first?
No, in order to achieve a significant selling margin at the lowest expense
Apple will offer employment to a highly qualified low-cost employees so
that salaries compensation can be smaller.
US staff are costly employers as they demand medical insurance and other
high-cost fringe benefits, effectively pricing themselves out of the game.
Any corporation wants to improve its income, and if it is to be the case
through hiring overseas workers, then from a corporate analysis, it will be
the best option for them to raise their income.
However, from a moral point of view, the organization would first have
employment for local residents .
Apple has a responsibility to its shareholders to maximize sales revenue at
the lowest possible cost, and in order to do that they need to recruit
talented people of any nationality and pay them as little as possible.
If they have to choose between two candidates of equal ability they
should pick the one who comes from a low –cost country so that the salary
cost will be lower.
Is it possible for U.S. managers to organize,
motivate and ensure quality in their Chinese
manufacturing facilities?
It is possible for U.S managers to organize, motivate and ensure quality by;
Engaging the right people for the job with good general management
experience
Managers should not apply the same type of manufacturing leadership in
China as that of the U.S.A
Managers should create an ‘ownership’ culture such that deserving
employees are rewarded in proportion to their results
They should create a development roadmap and promote employees that
deserve it. This will motivate staff and encourage them to work even harder
Managers can embrace and respect Chinese culture at the workplace
Challenges of managing employees to ensure job
satisfaction in an MNC host country when you are
a manager from a home country
It has become of an utmost importance for MNC’s to attract, select, develop and retain
employees who can live and work effectively outside o their own national borders
The following points explore Challenges that home country managers would face in ensuring job
satisfaction in a host country.
Adaptability to the new culture – The manager will have to come up with ways to adapt to the
new environment as they would be dealing with strange and sometimes conflicting cultures
Attitude and motivation - As a manager, its imperative to develop the right and strong attitude
especially in a strange and new environment. This will not only motivate the manager but also the
locals there by winning confidence. would employ a positive attitude towards the locals.
Empathy towards local culture – the manager will have to ensure that they acquaint themselves
with the local labour laws and other practices so as to execute their mandate in a compliant
and non violating manner
The manager will have to practice tolerance, flexibility and open mindedness in order to execute
their mandate especially if they are dealing with individuals with moderate to low literacy levels
Language ability - the manager will definitely face challenges with communication especially
when it comes to working with factory workers casuals and other non technical human resource.
in this case, learning even the most basic forms of the local language for convenience would be
cardinal.
Recommendations
Apple should consider taking back the lost jobs (20,000) to the US. This can
be achieved through training and inducting the right people for the job.
Employees need to understand Apple’s vision and culture
In addition, Apple should consider looking at the market trends and
affordability of their electronics products by an average consumer. The
case study has reviewed that Apple spends quite less on manufacturing
their products compared to the huge profits they make on that product.
Conclusion