Assignment 1

Assignment 1: Discussion—Technology and Strategic/Competitive Position

Apple Inc. is known for its state-of-the-art designs for products such as the iPhone, but most are unaware that Apple has used technology to streamline its supply chain management and operational systems to provide competitive pricing. This use of technology has allowed the company to under price its competitors and yet maintain a 25 percent margin on their products. The use of IT has provided Apple with a strategic and competitive position which most of their competitors find difficult to match or exceed.

Using your company or a real-world example from your research, analyze how information systems affect the firm’s strategic and competitive position.

Using the assigned readings and the Argosy University online library resources, explain how information technology:

• Impacts competitive rivalry, such as pricing, promotion, and distribution
• Enables or dissuades new entrants
• Enables customers to achieve greater bargaining power
• Enables suppliers to gain more bargaining power
• Gives rise to substitute products or services that threaten the existing market

By Saturday, June 13, 2015, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, June 17, 2015, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses.

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be thorough and address all components of the discussion question in detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Do the following when responding to your peers:

• Read your peers’ answers.
• Provide substantive comments by
• contributing new, relevant information from course readings, Web sites, or other sources;
• building on the remarks or questions of others; or
• sharing practical examples of key concepts from your professional or personal experiences
• Respond to feedback on your posting and provide feedback to other students on their ideas.
• Make sure your writing
• is clear, concise, and organized;
• demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and
• displays accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Grading Criteria