Value Alignment free essay sample

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication, media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells related software services (Partner, 2013). The founders of Apple were Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Wozniak; Wayne sold his part of the company to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. Apple went public in 1980 at $22 a share. Apple is the second largest technology company, third largest cell phone producer and in the top 10 fortune 500 list. The origins and subsequent evolution of workplace values have not changes for Apple over the years. Apple has maintained their core values such as hiring the right person, performance, and integrity and innovation. Details remain a high priority to apple because they have seen the results in their success. It is important to be ethically sound and treat people fair. The individual values mentioned are what drive each of our team members’ actions and behaviors. The driving force behind each member’s perception of the value has a purposeful meaning that comes about whether or not consciously thought about while performing unified tasks. We will write a custom essay sample on Value Alignment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page According to Graziadio Business Report (2009), Values drive behavior and need to be consciously stated, but they also need to be affirmed by actions. This is necessary as many may speak about their values, but one sees what is genuine when actions put into words. Values exert influence over our attitudes and attitudes influence our behavior. Values are integral to attitude formation and to how we respond to people and situations. Individual values drive different behaviors, which in turn drive personal performance and ultimately organizational performance (Graziadio Business Report, 2009). Driving ethical behavior with values and attitudes requires that there be alignment among values, attitudes, and behavior. The four main values that this team recognize as important are integrity, teamwork, performance, and learning. Although each member has varying reasons to use these values, in different degrees of priority, there are times that putting personal motivations aside and acting with objectivity by doing what is right being put into place. This team has proven that the values they state are well aligned with the actions performed. Acting justly and fairly is a long-term driver of ethical behavior. Remembering the â€Å"Golden Rule† helps formulate the drive. Personal and workplace values, ethics play an important role in any organization that is imperative to success. To attain a successful alignment between corporate and individual values, there needs to be a symbiotic relationship between the company and the people it employs. This benefit contains an important value to both the organization and the employee. Apple accepts change and addresses it in the mission and vision statement as well as the values of the company. The values provide direction for the employees, partners, and customers. Apple is successful in the hi-tech market, it is also known for its inability to diversify its workforce. In order for Apple Inc. to be successful, it must be able to understand and embraces diversity, within employment, partners of the company, the markets, and countries Apple Inc. does business in. Diversity of employees, partners, and customers illustrates the values found in the School of Ethical Relativism. This concept states values are different from culture to culture, and society to society and the values will change to be acceptable within the culture or society beliefs (2004 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ). Apple is very dedicated to serving their shareholders in the most professional and ethical ways possible. Apple has a system of governance that oversees the day to day operations of the Chief Executive Officer and all senior management. This system of governance is called the Board of Directors. â€Å"To satisfy the Boards duties, directors are expected to take a proactive, focused approach to their positions, and set standards to ensure that Apple is committed to business success through the maintenance of high standards of responsibility and ethics. † (Governance, 2014). The board has generated committee charters and guidelines for governance such as business conduct policies, anti-corruption policies, corporate governance guidelines, conflict of interest guidelines, political contributions and expenditure, related party transactions and many others. These measures to ensure honesty are very professionally enforced and put together very well. Apple has gone above and beyond to ensure a high level of ethics to guarantee a positive outcome for their employees and shareholders. These values are a great foundation for any business to implement to ensure a solid relationship with owners and shareholders while simultaneously protecting their customers and employees in all day to day operations. Since its inception in 1984 the Apple Inc. has grown to become one of the biggest well-known companies in the world. This ascension came about from smart management, innovative ideas and marketing as well as research and development. To conclude team B will analyzed the origins, motivations and developments of personal values that affect every day practices, and identify the origins and developments of values within the workplace. This discussion also identified the values of Apple Inc. and explained how all were aligned with the plans and actions including an explanation of the differences between company and personal values.