Your assignment task is to: Evaluate Apple's management of their 'strategic resources' to achieve a competitive advantage in respect to: sourcing of raw materials, global manufacturing strategy, sustainability, supply chains and logistics through to delivering goods and services to customers (ch's 5 to 8 in particular from the text book). Researched based evidence from journal articles on supply chains and logistics, etc, is a good source of material. Additional resources can be accessed from the material in this study guide and business related sites in general. Apple is a prominent hardware and software company best known for its development of personal computers, the iPod, IPhone and IPad that combined with innovative marketing strategies that has ensured a continuous market for its products. The company was founded by Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak. Jobs and Wozniak had been friends in high school and in 1975 were members of The Homebrew Computer Club, a now-legendary group where electronics enthusiasts met to discuss the Altair 8800 (the only personal computer available at the time) and other technical topics. Wozniak joined forces with Jobs to manufacture personal computers in Job's garage. That endeavour started out as a shoestring operation, but quickly became successful. The pair introduced a relatively modern-looking computer in a plastic case in 1977 and incorporated as Apple Computer that same year (Rouse 2009). Apple became the most valuable company in history on Monday 21st August 2012 in terms of global market capitalization. Heading into the final hour of trade, the stock had risen better than 2 percent, to give the company a market-cap of over $620 billion with shares trading over $662.00 apiece (Benzinga 2012). In 2014, Apple (AAPL) was a darling of the market all year long. Shares of the technology giant gained roughly 40% in 2014, compared to the market's 12% gain overall (USA TODAY 2015). Apple employee numbers globally is just over 50 000. rubric as follows Criteria Unsatisfactory 0-49% Pass 50 – 64% Credit 65 – 74% Distinction 75 – 84% High distinction 85 – 100% Grade 25% History and evolution of Apple - operations and supply chains Describe Apple in 2015 and how they have achieved market share domination CLO2; SLO1; SLO2; SLO3; SLO5 Weight: 3% Produced work which fails to demonstrate a rigorous understanding of knowledge pertaining to the history and evolution of the company At a minimum identifies and describes fundamentals and the relationship linkages within the value chain to the customer Demonstrates a basic ability to develop and organise content in a logical manner underpinned by basic analysis with outcomes supported by some evidence based analysis Exhibits a sound ability to develop and organise content in a logical and concise manner based around critical analysis underpinned by unambiguous evidence Explains fundamentals in a critical and accurate manner that demonstrates advanced systems thinking applied to an holistic value chain Apple's global reach Explain the interconnectivity of their strategic resources and worldwide operations to achieve a global supply chain advantage CLO1/2; SLO1, SLO2; SLO3 Weight: 7% Produced work which fails to demonstrate a rigorous understanding of knowledge pertaining to the company At a minimum identifies and describes fundamentals and the basic linkages through logistics, operations and the global supply chain Demonstrates a basic ability to develop and organise content in a logical manner underpinned by basic analysis with outcomes that are evidence supported Displays a solid ability to develop and organise content in a logical and concise manner based around critical analysis that is underpinned by unambiguous evidence Critiques in a critical and accurate manner that demonstrates advanced systems thinking applied to an integrated value chain example Sustainable operations and global supply chains Identify the criticality of integrated sustainability concepts around globalisation of inbound logistics, operations and outbound logistics CLO1/2; SLO2; SLO3 Weight: 8% Presented work that demonstrates a lack of fundamental knowledge and understanding related to Sustainable operations and global supply chains At a minimum identifies and describes a low level of sustainability and the linkages through the value/supply chain Presented work that demonstrates knowledge of fundamental sustainability principles generally and supply chain specific Concise assessment that demonstrates enhanced sustainability application in sustainable operations and global supply chains Presented work is expressed coherently and concisely around the intersection of the strategy, supply chains and the global economy Conclusion & the future Identify the key operational and supply chain issues that will require board and executive time in the future CLO1/2; SLO2; SLO3 Weight: 3% Failed to identify relevant issues with pertaining to the company in the future. Little original analysis shown Conclusions provide limited applicability to the company and minimal knowledge around future based options Applies rudimentary analysis of the work carried out in relation to future based issues that could impact on future business decisions Conclusions and outcomes are concise and link logically to the future. Relevant hypotheses are noted and evaluated for their applicability Demonstrates a solid analysis/evaluation of the business challenges confronting the business as the company commences the next stage of growth Presentation & Style Convey information clearly and fluently, in a quality written format appropriate to target audiences CLO1/3; SLO2; SLO3 Weight: 4% Presented work that demonstrates a lack of literacy, referencing and rudimentary writing skills. Does not convey specific meaning Uses a basic understanding of language that conveys ideas with a number of discrepancies pertaining to grammar and/or referencing Incorporates appropriate language that generally conveys meaning to readers. Writing may include some errors in grammar and/or referencing Employs appropriate language and accepted principles of English and APA citation. Communicates clearly and concisely with minimal errors Presented work is expressed coherently and concisely with zero English and/or referencing errors Total /25%