1.Draw a chart of Apple's organization's domain. List the Apple's products and customers and the forces in the specific and general environments that have an effect on it. Which are the most important forces that Apple has to deal with?

2.Analyze the effect of the forces on the complexity, dynamism, and richness of the environment. From this analysis, how would you characterize the level of uncertainty in Apple's organization environment?

3.Draw a chart of the main inter-organizational linkage mechanisms (e.g., long-term contracts, strategic alliances, mergers) that Apple uses to manage its symbiotic resource interdependencies. Using resource dependence theory and transaction cost theory, discuss why the Apple chose to manage its interdependencies in this way. Do you think the organization has selected the most appropriate linkage mechanisms? Why or why not?

4.Draw a chart of the main inter-organizational linkage mechanisms (e.g., collusion, third-party linkage mechanisms, strategic alliances) that Apple uses to manage its competitive resource interdependencies. Using resource dependence theory or transaction cost theory, discuss why Apple chose to manage its interdependencies in this way. Do you think Apple has selected the most appropriate linkage mechanisms? Why or why not?

In view of the analysis you have just made, do you think Apple is doing a good or a not-so-good job of managing its environment? What recommendations would you make to improve its ability to obtain resources?