Question

What are Apple’s core competencies? Defend your answer by discussing how your choices meet the three criteria outlined below:

1. The core competence must enhance competitive advantage(s) by creating superior customer value. Every value-chain activity has the potential to provide a viable basis for building on a core competence

2. Different businesses in the corporation must be similar in at least one important way related to the core competence. It is not essential that the products or services themselves be similar. Rather, at least one element in the value chain must require similar skills in creating competitive advantage if the corporation is to capitalize on its core competence.

3. The core competencies must be difficult for competitors to imitate or find substitutes for.

Answer 1

The core competencies of the organization Apple has been discussed here

1. Brand recognition which the organization has gained through the development of the customer value.
2. Innovative designs and software is its unique core competency which makes it a market leader.
3. The robust nature of the Apple product makes it difficult for its competitor to imitate its product and service. Its closed proprietary system makes its operations confidential and reduces the evasion of the skills and talents.
4. Its consistency in the product portfolio development is another core competency.