1-4 Consulting Report: CSR Role Model
2
Consulting Report
Apple Inc.: Organizational Structure, Management Style, and CSR Strategies
The aim of this report is to analyze the management philosophy of Apple Inc., including
its CSR initiatives and organizational structure, with respect to helping ABC Beauty make
adjustments to various functional areas believed to need improvement or restructuring.
The report examines Apple Inc. to understand how its numerous divisions and teams work
seamlessly in achieving both its operational and strategic objectives. The analysis also covers
Apple Inc.’s management strategies and assesses their impact on its overall growth and success.
The report also assesses Apple Inc.’s CSR practices and contribution to the environmental
sustainability drive. Apple Inc.’s initially indicated, the ultimate goal is to improve ABC Beauty’s
CSR performance by applying lessons learned from examining Apple Inc.’s CSR initiatives.
Functional Areas
Apple’s matrix structure is divided into functional sections, each with its own distinct
role. The design team conceptualizes and implements the company’s vision by producing highquality, aesthetically appealing products, whilst the engineering team ensures that the device’s
hardware and software meet Apple’s stringent quality and reliability requirements. The
marketing section enhances brand image via a range of mediums. Apple uses cutting-edge
marketing techniques, such as the now-iconic “Think Different” campaign, to solidify its position
as an industry leader. Apple’s operations team oversees the whole manufacturing, supply chain,
and logistics process, ensuring that all of the company’s items are delivered to customers on
schedule and at a reasonable cost.
3
Achieving Strategic and Operational Goals
Apple uses a functional structure involving experts leading in specific core functional
units. Rather than organizing functions into product-based business units as many companies do,
Apple Inc. runs semi-autonomous departments with decision-making authority within their
domains. Examples of departments undertaking core functions at the company that are structured
to operate independently include Hardware Engineering, Industrial Design, and Software
Engineering. Apple Inc. ensures collaboration and seamless task flow across its semiindependent departments through superior pipelines for shared data entrenched in regular
reporting and accountability for decisions made at the departmental level.
Apple’s competitive advantage is derived from a number of factors that work together to
provide the firm an edge in the marketplace. This technique separates the firm from its
competitors, who usually fail to create products that are both simple to use and visually
appealing. Apple has built an ecosystem of software, hardware, and services that work together
to deliver a rare user experience in line with the company’s design ethos. Given this ecosystem,
the company has a loyal customer base and a high entry barrier (Primavesi, 2022). Based on the
research, ABC Beauty has the ability to apply Apple’s ideal tactics, which involve a host of best
practices, including:
1. Establishing a high-quality and engaging customer experience across physical retail
locations and digital platforms.
2. When adopting CSR, it is encouraged to address societal and environmental problems,
such as reducing carbon emissions, campaigning for inclusion, and using sustainable
energy sources (Carson, 2020).
4
Conclusion
In the end, by implementing the above best practices, our company strengthens its
structure of operations and the quality of its customer service, as well as has a beneficial
influence on the future. Businesses that stress social and environmental Responsibility increase
brand credibility and assure long-term success.
References
Carson, S. G. (2020). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as Social Legitimacy Management.
Handbook of Business Legitimacy, pp. 897–906. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-146221_60
Primavesi, C. (2022). Analyzing the sustainability of Apple’s competitive advantage (Doctoral
dissertation).
Yazid, A. S. (2020). The mediating effect of customer satisfaction on the relationship between
corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty. Journal of Advanced Research in
Dynamical and Control Systems, 24(4), 299–309.
https://doi.org/10.5373/jardcs/v12i4/20201444
MODULE 4-1
Overview
Analyzing the financial performance of a company is crucial for any
business at any given point of time, but especially when the company is
heading in a new direction.
You are aware that your company has made the strategic decision to
move to a triple bottom line (TBL)-focused business model. You have
already collaborated with various departments within your organization
to understand their perspectives.
Now you will review the current financial performance of your
organization and evaluate whether the operational plan aligns with key
performance indicators of the finance department.
Prompt
Using the financial records of the health and beauty company that you
work for, as well as the financial records of the company you chose in
Module One, create a consulting report outlining the following criteria:
a. Explain key financial performance indicators that various
stakeholders would be most interested in. Support your rationale and
include the following stakeholders in your response:
i. Employees
ii. Shareholders
iii. Community groups
b. Explain additional key financial line items related to triple bottom
line that are required to measure cost. Support your rationale.
Supporting Material
Financial records of the health and beauty company you work at
a. Consolidated balance sheet
b. Consolidated cash flow statement
c. Consolidated income statement
Financial records of the company you chose in Module One
a. Balance sheet of your chosen company
b. Cash flow statement of your chosen company
c. Income statement of your chosen company
List of global companies provided in Module One
•
List of Companies
What to Submit
In a Word document, use double-spacing, 12-point Times New Roman
font, and one-inch margins. This consulting report should be 1 to 3
pages in length and include references cited in APA format. Consult
the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 December
$ thousand
2018
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net Income
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Change in Accounts receivable
Change in Inventory
$ thousand
2016
18,565 $
11,423
10,784
Change in Prepaid expense
(3,696)
(3,863)
(925)
(1,263)
(339)
16
(2,750)
(1,335)
(2,250)
Depreciation and amortization
1,000
890
800
Change in Accounts Payable
311
1,031
(1,525)
Change in Short term debt
1,078
(4,765)
240
Change in Deferred revenue
(547)
357
432
(4)
99
33
11,919
7,449
4,429
(6,974)
(1,708)
(200)
(810)
(632)
–
Cost of new Other current assets
(2,355)
(56)
(25)
Net Cash Flow: Investing Activities
(10,139)
(2,396)
(225)
(285)
(2,374)
(1,150)
Change in Other noncurrent liabilities
(7)
(854)
(24)
Issuance of Common Stock
14
10
–
Change in Other current liabilities
Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
$
$ thousand
2017
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Cost of new Property, buildings, and equipment
purchased
Cost of new Intangible assets
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments of Long-term debt
Change in Additional paid-in-capital
1,347
120
–
Payment of Dividends
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
Net Cash Flow: Financing Activities
69
(4,098)
(2,174)
Total Cash Flow increase/(decrease)
1,849
955
2,030
4,272
Cash Balance, Beginning
Cash Balance, Ending December 31
$
6,121
$
3,317
1,287
4,272
3,317
Questions to consider:
– Is the company experiencing positive cash flows from operating activities (profit)?
– How is the company generating cash flow from sustainable/environmentally friendly
operations (planet/profit)?
Question to consider:
– How is the company investing in other companies and their efforts to support TBL?
Question to consider:
– Is the company experiencing positive cash flows from financing activities (profit)?
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December
$ thousand
2018
Sales Revenue
Cost of Goods Sold
Gross Profit
Operating Expenses:
Selling expenses
Salary expense
Advertising expense
Administration expense
Depreciation and amortization expense
Salary expense
Other Operating Expenses
Total Operating Expenses
Operating Income
Other Revenue and (Expenses)
Charitable donations
Total Other Revenues and Expenses
Income Before Income Tax
Income Tax Expense
Net Income
$
174,090
93,000
81,090
35,000
8,000
1,000
10,800
2,200
57,000
24,090
$
500
500
23,590
5,025
18,565
tatement
cember
$ thousand
2017
$
$
$ thousand
2016
150,000 $
88,000
62,000
130,000
75,000
55,000
29,000
7,500
24,500
6,800
890
8,700
1,900
47,990
14,010
750
7,500
1,400
40,950
14,050
450
450
13,560
2,137
11,423 $
400
400
13,650
2,867
10,784
Questions to consider – Are we seeing year-over-year growth in revenues?
– Is this growth attributable to our CSR and TBL efforts?
Question to consider – Are we hiring to support TTL efforts and objectives?
Question to consider – Are we hiring to support TTL efforts and objectives?
Question to consider Our TBL strategies include giving back to the low-income
neighborhoods we are targeting. Does our charitable giving reflect
that increased support to those neighborhoods?
MBA 500 List of Companies
Note: The following websites have been used alongside official company websites as references for
confirming information and reports.
•
•
•
Mission Statement Academy
Comparably
AnnualReports.com
Apple Inc.
Items
Vision Statement
“We believe that we are on
the face of the earth to make
great products and thatÂ’s not
changing.”
Mission Statement
“To [bring] the best user
experience to its customers
through its innovative
hardware, software, and
services.”
Values
Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR)
Annual Report
Links
A vision statement is not available on AppleÂ’s official website nor on
any other official platform.
In the official discussion forum of Apple, there is a mention of a
vision statement, but it canÂ’t be claimed as the authentic vision
statement of the company.
Communities: Vision and Mission of Apple, Inc.
A mission statement is not available on AppleÂ’s official website.
However, in the 2018 Annual Report, in the Business Strategy
section, this statement is mentioned in the beginning, and the same
is found in multiple places as a mission statement of the company.
Apple Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
United States Securities and Exchange Commission: Apple Inc.
Annual Report
Today in Apple History: Apple Lays Out Its Core Company Values
The report available on AppleÂ’s website in the Environment section
is entitled “Environmental Progress Report.”
For a focused look at how Apple is addressing environmental issues,
see Apple: Environmental Progress Report (Fiscal Year 2019).
AppleÂ’s Annual Report for the year 2019 is available on the website,
in the Investor Relations section.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission: Apple Inc.
Annual Report
Amazon
Items
Vision Statement
Links
A vision statement is not available on AmazonÂ’s official website; in
some places, the mission statement is referred to as a vision
statement.
Items
Mission Statement
“To be Earth’s most customercentric company, where
customers can find and discover
anything they might want to
buy online, and endeavors [sic]
to offer its customers the
lowest possible prices.”
Values
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
Links
Amazon Mission, Vision, and Values
The mission statement of Amazon is available on its website.
Amazon: Come Build the Future With Us
Amazon’s Mission Statement and Core Values
AmazonÂ’s CSR report is available on its website.
Sustainability: All In (September 2020)
Annual Report
Sustainability: Thinking Big (September 2019)
AmazonÂ’s annual report is available on multiple aggregator
platforms, but the most authentic source is the Amazon website
itself, in the subdomain dedicated to Amazon reports.
Investor Relations: Annual Reports, Proxies and Shareholder
Letters
2019 Amazon Annual Report
Toyota
Items
Vision Statement
ToyotaÂ’s global vision is
depicted using a picture of a
tree. Other websites and
ToyotaÂ’s annual report contain
a textual explanation of the
vision statement image.
Mission Statement “Toyota will
lead the future mobility society,
enriching lives around the world
with the safest and most
responsible ways of moving
people.”
Values
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
Links
Toyota Global Vision
ToyotaÂ’s website has three mission statements on it. However,
they read more like the philosophy of the company than as a
mission statement.
Toyota Global Vision
Toyota Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
ToyotaÂ’s CSR report is available on its website.
Toyota: Environmental Report 2020
Toyota: North American Environmental Sustainability Report 2022
Items
Annual Report
Links
Toyota: Annual Report 2019
Walmart
Items
Vision Statement
“Be the destination for
customers to save money, no
matter how they want to shop.”
Mission Statement
“To save people money so they
can live better.”
Values
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
Annual Report
Links
WalmartÂ’s vision statement is not available on its official website.
Walmart Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
Walmart website doesnÂ’t contain the mission statement, but on
their website, Sam WaltonÂ’s mission is quoted as the mission they
strive to advance.
The Walmart Digital Museum: A Global Company
Walmart Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
The Walmart CSR report is available on its website.
Walmart Environmental, Social and Governance Report Archive
WalmartÂ’s annual report is available on its website in the Investors
section.
Walmart: Financial Information
Walt Disney
Items
Vision Statement
“To be one of the world’s
leading producers and providers
of entertainment and
information.”
Mission Statement
“The mission of The Walt Disney
Company is to entertain, inform
and inspire people around the
globe through the power of
unparalleled storytelling,
reflecting the iconic brands,
creative minds and innovative
technologies that make ours the
worldÂ’s premier entertainment
company.”
Values
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
Links
There is no mention of a vision statement on the companyÂ’s
website; however, on other websites the vision statement is
inferred from the companyÂ’s philosophy.
Disney Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
The mission statement of Walt Disney is available in the websiteÂ’s
About Us section.
About the Walt Disney Company: Our Mission
Disney Mission and Vision Statement Analysis
DisneyÂ’s CSR report is available on its website.
The Walt Disney Company: 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility
Update
Items
Annual Report
Links
Walt DisneyÂ’s annual report is available on its website in the section
on Investor Relations.
The Walt Disney Company: Investor Relations
The Walt Disney Company: Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Financial Report
