JISAR

Abstract: We set out to examine the performance and practices of Microsoft and Apple since the Collins Great by Choice [GBC] study. In Great by Choice, Collins and Hansen developed an explanatory framework based on their comparative analysis of seven pairs of high performing companies and matched comparison companies. Two of these were Microsoft and Apple. We examined financial performance for the eleven-year GBC comparison period (1991 - 2001) and the research period (2002 - 2012). Using this financial analysis, we developed and tested hypotheses that Apple and Microsoft either were or were not employing the GBC practices in our research period. Although, GBC seemed to have sound advice for companies, our findings were mixed. During the research period, Apple went from under performing to outperforming Microsoft. However, the causal relationship of the GBC practices to the financial reversal is not clear. Both Microsoft and Apple varied in their use of the GBC practices over the research period

Keywords: Apple vs Microsoft, Comparison case study, Great by Choice, leadership, Management Best Practices, Practice vs Performance

Download this article: JISAR - V7 N2 Page 13.pdf

Recommended Citation: Sena, J., Olsen, E. (2014). Microsoft vs Apple: Which is Great by Choice?. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research, 7(2) pp 13-28. http://jisar.org/2014-7/ ISSN: 1946-1836. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of CONISAR 2013)