Information Systems

Apple is at the fifth stage of sustainability: next practice platforms. This means that the company has created programs that are beyond compliance like the Regulated Substance Specification that set standards for material used not only for Apple but also for the whole industry. Besides, Apple has also created programs to create a more sustainable supply chain. One example is the Supplier Energy Efficiency Program which helps Apple’s suppliers in their measurement and management of energy. Furthermore, Apple has also created programs that have helped the company to create more sustainable products. One of these programs is ELYSIS, a technology that eliminates direct GHG emissions from aluminum smelting. This has helped Apple to create more sustainable laptops. Moreover, Apple has also created programs that have transformed the company’s business model. One example is REJI, which has helped Apple to create a business model dedicated to creating value for society. Consequently, Apple is at the fifth stage of sustainability with programs such as The Impact Accelerator, a platform that assists Black and Brown-owned businesses to seek opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, carbon removal, and recycling information. To reach the fifth stage of sustainability maturity Apple has implemented Green IT, Green IS, and sustainable innovation. Some Green IT roles the company has invested in are its Viborg data center which assists the company to capture excess heat energy for Viborg’s long-term benefit and the ELYSIS technology which helps the company to eliminate direct GHG emissions from aluminum smelting. Some Green IS roles the company has invested in are GreenBonds, which assist Apple to develop new sources of renewable energy, and its reliability and environmental testing labs where Apple’s products go through rigorous testing before being sold. Finally, some sustainable innovation roles the company has invested in are its Apple Trade-In program, which assists Apple in the exchange of old products for new devices, and its Impact Accelerator which helps US businesses to speed environmental progress. Moreover, Apple has been able to reach the fifth stage of sustainability maturity by using crowdsourcing strategies. For example, Apple uses crowdsourcing strategies to create multiple mobile applications. By doing this, Apple can avoid the direct cost of software development and increase the company’s profits.