Organization Studies

In developing an argument you will need to persuade your marker that your choice of theory/ies best describes Apple's organisational networks and influence. Beware that many of the articles available on Apple present strong arguments about whether the company is a positive or negative force in the global economy. This essay does not ask you to make a judgment on these issues, but if, in the conclusion you wish to make a judgment about Apple you may do so if it assists in supporting your argument about Apple's organisational networks and influence.

In this section you are expected to consider the various relationships between the organisation and its broader, international environment. The issue of environmental relationships is taken up throughout the Hatch and Cunliffe (2006) textbook with chapter three being the major focal point for this discussion. Once again, most organisational theory textbooks have chapters or sections on organisations and environment and would be worth consulting as additional readings. Remember you must apply appropriate organisational theories to develop your arguments. For example, you might want to apply Environmental Contingency Theory, Institutional Theory or Stakeholder Theory to explain Apple's relationship with its environment or Enacted Environment to discuss Apple's perceptions of its environment in recent years (remember this choice will be limited by you initial choice of perspectives). Remember these theories have a particular association with the four perspectives (e.g. environmental contingency theory is underpinned by modernist assumptions). These are only a few suggestions. It is up to you to choose how you want to develop your essay and your theoretically informed argument.

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