Unlike opinion polls or other qualitative-based measures of reputation, however, these metrics speak to the behaviors of its various stakeholder groups, and correlate factors like earnings multiples, pricing, employee productivity and retention, vendor terms, supply chain sustainability, and other operational indicators.

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And while that is good for the consumer, it tends to result in margin pressure across the supply chain as the vendor needs to trim costs in order to maintain their margins.

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And, most importantly to investors, Apple has been able to achieve margins in technology hardware never before accomplished by another technology vendor through persistent, diligent, and relentless supply chain management.

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