One apple a day, CI comes with play
The founder and chief executive officer of Apple Inc, Steven Paul Jobs, always says:
“I skate to where the c is going to be, not where it has been.' And we've always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very very beginning. And we always will."
He believes creativity and innovation comes with being first, and being first always. People play with apple products, and they will chat, exchange ideas and finally come up with creative and innovative ideas.
That’s what we believe, One apple a day, CI comes with play
Globalization process and Apple Inc
Globalisation as an idea refers to “both the compression of the world and intensification of conscious of the world as a whole” (1)
To generalise the term globalisation, some have describe it as “Trend away from distinct national economic units and toward one huge global market.” (2), in other words an increasing acceleration in global interdependence between countries. The term globalisation is specifically used in terms of economic globalisation to describe the integration between countries in terms of it’s trade, capital flows, migrations etc. (3) Drivers of globalisation are a combination of economic, technological, sociocultural, political and biological factors (4)
A lot of have been said about the negatives affects of globalization; for example, how it is standardizing the worlds cultures. How are cultures affected by globalization? How does it affect business doing business overseas? Do they adapt to the cultural environment? Or do they use what works at home?
An author, Tyler Cowen (5) discussed globalization and culture in his article submitted to cato policy report. He brought up a number of points which support globalization's effects on culture. A lot of critics of globalization have said its changing the worlds culture through standardization, and also running thresholds over the worlds distinctive cultures and turning the world into one big tawdry strip mall. (5) Tyler argues that globalization has made the world a more creative culture, it has given different countries and different regions more diversity in choice. People are given more choices in relation to food, music, products, entertainment, etc.
Creativity is part of the innovation process, in a way that without creativity, innovation wouldn’t happen. “Innovation is the practical application of creative ideas” (6) which is why Apple Inc has done so successfully in terms of innovation, because it was able to create an environment in which has the capacity to create new ideas.
The culture of the organization plays a major role in inheriting creativity. A study done by (Hwang, 1982) suggests that “Chinese people see and interpret things in terms of wholes and context, which contrasts with an anglo-american tendancy to fragment, decompose, and de-contexturalize; studys have indicated that holistic cognitive style is more likely to inherit creativity only because of the way they perceive the world around them and interpret them. “
Apple inc is one of the most reputable company's for fostering excellence and individuality in it’s employees. To identify and recognise the best of its employees, they created an Apple fellows program for those who have excellence in technical or leadership contributions/skills to the company. Steve Jobs became CEO of Apple Inc again in 1997, he was quoted by Wayne Grinsky “Jobs has always aspired to position Apple and its products at the forefront of the information technology industry by foreseeing and setting trends, at least in terms of innovation and style” (8).
Jobs revolutionalise the way Apple Inc did business, he turned the business from a tall heiarachy structure to a flat structure; he created a business from something that seemed like a machine to something that is more organic and cultured; this is one of the major reasons for Apples success in inheriting creativity and innovation. Culture is a major factor in impacting the perception and interpretation of creative and innovative processes. “all people have a capacity to be creative, but whether and/or how this is actualised depends on the presense of facilitating cultural values and institutional practices” (5)
To generalise the term globalisation, some have describe it as “Trend away from distinct national economic units and toward one huge global market.” (2), in other words an increasing acceleration in global interdependence between countries. The term globalisation is specifically used in terms of economic globalisation to describe the integration between countries in terms of it’s trade, capital flows, migrations etc. (3) Drivers of globalisation are a combination of economic, technological, sociocultural, political and biological factors (4)
A lot of have been said about the negatives affects of globalization; for example, how it is standardizing the worlds cultures. How are cultures affected by globalization? How does it affect business doing business overseas? Do they adapt to the cultural environment? Or do they use what works at home?
An author, Tyler Cowen (5) discussed globalization and culture in his article submitted to cato policy report. He brought up a number of points which support globalization's effects on culture. A lot of critics of globalization have said its changing the worlds culture through standardization, and also running thresholds over the worlds distinctive cultures and turning the world into one big tawdry strip mall. (5) Tyler argues that globalization has made the world a more creative culture, it has given different countries and different regions more diversity in choice. People are given more choices in relation to food, music, products, entertainment, etc.
Creativity is part of the innovation process, in a way that without creativity, innovation wouldn’t happen. “Innovation is the practical application of creative ideas” (6) which is why Apple Inc has done so successfully in terms of innovation, because it was able to create an environment in which has the capacity to create new ideas.
The culture of the organization plays a major role in inheriting creativity. A study done by (Hwang, 1982) suggests that “Chinese people see and interpret things in terms of wholes and context, which contrasts with an anglo-american tendancy to fragment, decompose, and de-contexturalize; studys have indicated that holistic cognitive style is more likely to inherit creativity only because of the way they perceive the world around them and interpret them. “
Apple inc is one of the most reputable company's for fostering excellence and individuality in it’s employees. To identify and recognise the best of its employees, they created an Apple fellows program for those who have excellence in technical or leadership contributions/skills to the company. Steve Jobs became CEO of Apple Inc again in 1997, he was quoted by Wayne Grinsky “Jobs has always aspired to position Apple and its products at the forefront of the information technology industry by foreseeing and setting trends, at least in terms of innovation and style” (8).
Jobs revolutionalise the way Apple Inc did business, he turned the business from a tall heiarachy structure to a flat structure; he created a business from something that seemed like a machine to something that is more organic and cultured; this is one of the major reasons for Apples success in inheriting creativity and innovation. Culture is a major factor in impacting the perception and interpretation of creative and innovative processes. “all people have a capacity to be creative, but whether and/or how this is actualised depends on the presense of facilitating cultural values and institutional practices” (5)
Globalization process of Apple Inc can be expressed in two ways, horizontally and vertically.
At the beginning years of Apple Inc, it was called Apple Computer Inc. This name specifies their production and technology, which is mainly focusing on desktop computer and OS system.
However, technology is fast changing and fast moving. The Apple Inc noticed that desktop computer and OS system is not enough. The company would like to diversify their business in more computing aspects. Therefore, the first portable Mac computer was born.With years of development and business diversification, Apple Company diversifies their business into entertainment, mobile phone, television, computer and server service. That’s the whole horizontal line of globalization for Apple Company.
Apple Inc originated in America. When it comes to a multinational company, Apple Inc is moving their production line to different countries. For example: China and Europe. From now on, Apple Inc has over thousands Apple stores to sell their products, even in Hong Kong there are 38 Apple stores and reseller stores selling Apple products. Also, most countries have their own reseller department, service and support department and repair department. Online Apple store is available to provide technical support and product service as well. All of this constructs the whole vertical of globalization for Apple Inc.The big picture of globalization process for Apple Inc:
Creativity and Apple Inc
Mac book is one of best selling products in Apple Inc. It has powerful graphics processing technology which can be used in multimedia design and 3D processing. Also, it has large hard drive which provides plenty of space for users to store music, photos, videos, and more. Together with specific software for photographic design and multimedia software like the latest iLife ’09 and Mac OS X Leopard, which allow users to create as much as memorable and innovative pictures they like.
iPhone is intelligent multifunctional mobile phone which can allow internet access, GPRS application , portable entertainment and phone call. It is a powerful phone with thousands of software which can assist people daily life, provide entertainment and enhance the communication and information exchange.
With reference to the website David Pringle who is a Journalist and Mobile Industry Expert, he stated that innovative ideas and creative mind come from information exchange, this phenomenon is especially relevant in the 21st century. People exchange information and give inspiring messages and pictures through their digital devices, especially Mac book and iPhone, which allow people to exchange their ideas, create inspiring photos and pictures and share with everyone in everywhere they like. This can create a positive impact on creativity and innovation.
Culture and Apple Inc
The trend of iPhone in Hong Kong
With reference to the 3HK, there are over 100,000 Hong Kong citizen using iPhone. And there are many websites and forums created for iPhone users to share their experience, capability analysis and applications.
These forums and websites create a specific space for iPhone users to program or share some applications dedicated for Hong Kong users. For example: Hong Kong MTR Ride, Hong Kong Minibus guide and Hong Kong weather report and Open rice. This becomes a trend for people to use iPhone to assist their life, get more entertainment in their leisure time.International Landscape
Apple’s products are globalized all over the world. No matter you are in Africa, Asia or Europe. You can still pick your own Mac, iPhone or iPod in the following countries you like.
Creativity, innovation and globalization
The following reading can help clarifying and analyzing the impact between creativity, innovation and globalization.
Creativity and innovation - Five impacts from globalization
The article that we read is titled “Creativity and innovation - Five impacts from globalization.” We do agree that the argument of the author that globalization forces faster innovation.
Under globalization, smart companies realize they gain more resources and opportunities than before. They try to make use of their new resources and opportunities in different and efficient ways through the process of creation and innovation. For example: using some outsourced programmers around the world to process the company in 24-hours a day, which is never been thought of before.
Besides, greater flexibility of resources enables companies to produce globally but not limited to the same place. For example: products can be developed in U.S, manufactured in China and marketed in Japan.
Also, innovation becomes the key factors of being outstanding in competitive situation. By generating innovative ideas, brainstorming is happening all over the world. An idea in one country can be extended to other countries. Other countries may tweak the same idea to enable it in their countries. People in any corner of the world are brainstorming.
Cooking up some innovation
This article is talking about the ways to search innovation and creativity.
The author would like to search a place which is perfect for innovation. And he finally chose a totally unexpected place - the kitchen.
For the reason that those stuff happening in the kitchen is similar to the innovation. Both of them have experimentation with different ingredients, flavorings and cooking styles and make use of them to create somewhat differently. Moreover, as the kitchen is a place much less formal than a sitting room with foods and drinks, it invites people to join. The author thought that is the place that encourages people to mill around and chatting with others. It can be enhance the exchange of ideas.
We choose this reading because we admire the author’s way of thinking which is really creative and innovative. We like the idea of using kitchen as a working place, and it shows that creativity and innovation is highly related to the peoples’ pattern of thought, if they think in a different way, the outcomes will be different.
Culture of innovation and creativity
This article is about the culture of innovation and creativity. In this article we do agree with the author who conceives innovation as an essential part for future success in people life and for work in 21st century. Globalization is creating a small world where highly-educated people are common, technology and ways of doing things can be copied in any way to everywhere of the world. However, some things inside our brain would never be copied, which are creativity and innovation.
The author quotes the remark of the Stanford professor Richard Sutton that “weird” ideas work because they provide three key things:
Increase in organization’s knowledge enables people to see old problems in new ways, and find additional opportunity to break from the past. Therefore, more opportunities should be provided for students to involve and practice complex and deep thinking.
We agree with his point of view, as students studying in creativity and innovation courses, we know our creativity and innovation can only be expressed and developed through experimentation. During the process of creating, we try to see things in new ways, to leave the old method in the past, and to broaden our knowledge in order to create new ideas. It is useful, this is the way that new things being created.
Suggestions to improve innovation and creativity
Government:
- Reduce restrictions and simplify the regulations for company or citizen to introduce new products and ideas to the community.
- Encourage and reward valuable innovation activities for all people who are living and working locally, irrespective to their nationality, for example giving annual best innovation awards to few companies and citizens who did significant contribution in this aspect among the whole community.
- Employ more civil servants with creativity so that government can act like an originator to motivate the community to be creative too.
- Do more promotion in showing the government emphasizes on innovation and creativity, such as regular and successive advertisement on newspaper and television.
Organizations:
- Be more open-minded to listen and accept any new ideas from all the staffs, doesn’t matter which positions they are in.
- Encourage the workers to take the initiatives to suggest any new or creative ideas if they have any by letting them know that their own organization do value a lot on innovative ideas.
- Always tell the staff why their new ideas and suggestions were rejected if this is the case, don’t ban their ideas without telling them the reasons behind it.
- Hold workshops or seminars which are related to innovation and creativity so that staffs can be helped to get more insights and develop their talents.
- Diversify the background of different employees by employing more foreigners or oversea workers so it helps to enhance the interaction between workers
Multinationals:
- Be more flexible in company’s regulations, make necessary adjustments if possible in order to adapt to various local culture and enhance creativity.
- Given the condition that organization’s daily operation is not affected, apply job rotation if possible so that employees can do different kind of works to stimulate their creative and innovative possibilies.
- Invite outsiders to give speeches or seminars to internal staff which the guests and employees should have different in backgrounds, such as nationality and life experience. In this way employees can learn more and be inspired by different things.
Source:
(1)http://www.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=eVMmonrrZDkC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&dq=globalization&ots=KV7m3U6jtg&sig=tcMYt290G454Qz8sWyTJ_Zavg1c#v=onepage&q=&f=false
(2)http://www.google.com.hk/url?&q=http://enbv.narod.ru/text/Econom/ib/str/261.html&ei=Sj7ASqKJG8bUkAW6_dBW&sa=X&oi=define&ct=&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNHuaai8enjsxE35mNUfA90QsoL2Yw
(3) Bhagwati, Jagdish (2004). In Defense of Globalization. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
(4) Sheila L. Croucher. Globalization and Belonging: The Politics of Identity in a Changing World. Rowman & Littlefield. (2004). p.10
(5) Cowen, Tyler (2003) Globalisation and culture. Cato Policy Report. P.8
(6) Westwood, R., Low R. D (2003) The multicultural muse: culture, creativity and innovation. International journal of cross cultural management, 3, p. 235
(7) Hwang, C.H.(1982)”Studies in chinese personality: A critical review” Bulletin of educational
(8) http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/library/applekeynote.html
