Take away all the computers, databases, servers, support staff, and see how quickly value truly gets lost in this day and age.

Especially support staff, since their demeanor during rough times can help keep users' spirits up when the users have to use the systems that management (blindly or otherwise) believes will be better (when it may or may not be).

Or is all the psychobabble about happy employees being more productive ones a load of bunk as well?

Value is a two-way street...

As for Apple, you pointed so much more out when mentioning accounting staff and lawyers... but not the slappers working for 50 cents per hour under conditions the accountants and lawyers won't think will ever happen to them (but anyone even remotely lazy with the news will see their jobs will be offshored as well...)

But I wonder when the race to the bottom will end...