Who has the top Jobs at Apple? : The problem of succession and how to learn from history

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Is Steve Jobs the right man to lead Apple? For most media and technology observers, this is an absurd question: how can you doubt the man who almost single‐handedly regenerated Apple from near obscurity in the early 1990s to the multi‐billion dollar force it is today. However on more than one occasion Wall Street has wondered if his West Coast style leadership is the right one, and the way he has chosen to handle his “illness” in 2009 has left many scratching their heads. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.