...Analyse The Wal Marts Case Study Management Essay ukessays.com /essays/management/analyse-the-wal-marts-case-study-management-essay.php Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. opened in 1962 by Sam Walton and his brother. Nowadays, it is ranks as the largest corporation in the World. In early 1990s, the company announced that it would initiate the international operations, which commenced in 1991 in some countries like Canada, Puerto Rico, Argentina, China, etc. (Reference for Business, 2012). PEST Analysis In order to analyse the Wal-Mart's case study we are going to apply the PEST analysis which is 'A type of situation analysis in which political-legal, economic, socio-cultural and technological factors are examined to chart an organization's long-term plans' (Business Dictionary, 2012). II.1. Political Factors When a firm desires to undertake businesses in a foreign country there are some factors to investigate before taking a final decision, for example, the system of the government, law and local trade unions, language, religious and ethical values. Wal-Mart faced numerous complications on the legal and political front in many countries. For example, in Mexico the company participated in an aggressive lobbying campaign to amend the long-standing U.S. anti-bribery law that the company might have violated. The 1977 law, well-known as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, prohibits U.S. firms from offering fees or gifts to foreign officials to advance corporate interests (Hamburger, Dennis & Yang...
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...Wal-Mart Sustainability Strategy “Given the fact that Wal-Mart customers generally are unwilling to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products, how is the company deriving business value from its sustainability strategy, or if not, how can it ensure that it does?” Wal-Mart launched a sustainability strategy to dramatically reduce the company’s impact on the global environment and become “the most competitive and innovative company on the world”(Denend, L.(2007)).I believe the decision to launch a sustainability strategy was a brilliant move for the company because it takes advantage of the opportunity to significantly increase Wal-Mart’s reputation, thereby increasing consumer loyalty and profits in the long-run. Through this strategy, not only would Wal-Mart benefit, but the global environment as a whole. Wal-Mart responded to public concerns of the company’s global environmental impact by contracting a nongovernmental organization (NGO) to research the issue. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) compiled data regarding the impact in five areas: 1) greenhouse gas emissions, (2) air pollution, (3) water pollution, (4) water use, and (5) land use. From this research came Wal-Mart’s sustainability strategy. The company began to develop goals and objectives to reduce their impact on the environment (Denend, L.(2007)). During the process of developing goals and objectives, the organization’s culture shifted from an internally focused culture...
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...Wal-Mart vs Honda 1. What are the sources of Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage in discount retailing? Discount stores extended to general merchandise by charging gross margins 10% ~ 15% lower than those of conventional department stores. To compensate, discount stores cut costs to the bone. In this way, Wal-Mart had two key aspects of initiating their business. First, they were locating stores in isolated rural areas and small towns. The other element was the pattern of expansion. They were always pushing from the inside out. As for operating business, Wal-Mart had their own way of doing things. First, they built their own warehouse so they could buy in volume at attractive prices and store the merchandise. Second, their useful information systems made flexibility among stores to operate their own strategy like “everyday-low-prices”, “satisfaction guaranteed” policies. Also, a two-step hub-and-spoke distribution network was used to reduce costs. It made Wal-Mart and their vendors benefited from reduced inventory costs and increased sales. In spite of some legal conflicts with competitors, they kept focusing on diversification and international operations with a strong relationship between the management and employees. 2. What is the strategy that allowed Honda to be so successful in the motorcycle industry? Beginning in the 1950s, Honda focused on superior productivity. First, they offered a multiproduct line. Second, they took leadership in product innovation and exploited...
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...Human Resource Management Strategies of Wal-Mart TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT: Human Resource Strategy of Wal-Mart inc Table of Contents Table of Contents (This page) ------------------------------------------------------------------------2 1.0 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------3 2.0 Wal-Mart Human resource strategy ------------------------------------------------------------------------4 2.1 Recruitment and selection ------------------------------------------------------------------------4 2.2 Training and development ------------------------------------------------------------------------6 2.3 Employee motivation and Reward / benefits ---------------------------------------------------------7 2.3.1 Financial benefits ------------------------------------------------------------------------8 2.3.2 Health and awareness benefits ------------------------------------------------------------------------8 2.4 Performance management --------------------------------------------------------------------------9 3.0 Challenges faced by the human resources -----------------------------------------------------------------9 4.0 Recommendations to overcome these challenges -----------------------------------------------------10 1.0 INTRODUCTION Human resource management according to Wilton (2011) in his book “an introduction to human resource management” is a phrase used...
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...Wal-Mart- A Case Study of MIS Strategy Walden University Wal-Mart – A Case Study of MIS Strategy Management information system is all about people using technology to work with information as they support the organization in its quest for a competitive advantage (Haag & Cummings, 2008, p. 29). Researchers and authors have discussed management information systems and technology over the decades. The concepts of competitive advantage, technology, outsourcing etc. have been theorized, yet discussion on the subject matter continues. While MIS strategy formulation has seen advancement, organizations are evolving and constantly changing their operating models. An example of such organization is Wal-Mart, the global retail giant. This research seeks to pin-point Wal-Mart’s key management information system strategy, while providing a deeper understanding of the organization’s management information systems strategy and its impacts. Further it aims to investigate knowledge management, e-commerce strategy, and the impact of database management which are aspects that can be incorporated into the MIS strategy formulation. To achieve this objective the literature survey was conducted to explore available published papers in the sphere of IS/IT strategy formulation. Considering that the applicability of information systems and technology is mission critical, the research design focused on the qualitative approach. The primary method of data collection was through semi-structured...
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...in some kinds of products. Take contraband cigarettes, for example. Not only is contraband cigarettes killing small businesses and threatening the livelihoods of many convenience store owners, but it is also robbing government millions of dollar every year because these are cigarettes that are being illegally imported among countries with absolutely no government inspection, testing, oversight and taxation. Moreover, many organized crime groups use the lucrative trade in contraband tobacco to finance other, more serious criminal activities such as contraband drugs and guns. As a result, we should avoid this type of business that causes severe damages to the development of worldwide economy. WAL-MART INTRODUCTION Wal-Mart's history is one of innovation, leadership and success. Wal-Mart was founded...
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...CASE STUDY 10 | SHRM Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 2 ANNEXURE ............................................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 9 INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPANY ................................................................................................. 9 QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................................................... 10 QUESTION 01: ................................................................................................................................... 10 QUESTION 02 ................................................................................................................................... 12 QUESTION 03 ................................................................................................................................... 14 QUESTION 04 ................................................................................................................................... 16 CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................................
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...Wal-mart 2013 Principles of Management Wal-Mart and Effective Management Karwan S. Othman Wal-Mart, United States Of America Wal-Mart at Its Peak Wal-Mart is the largest retailer worldwide; the reasons may vary from different functional fields of the company. Fifty years ago, the company started the business based on the lowest prices that could be offered to customers. Since then, Wal-Mart is “Everyday low price” pricing strategy to maximize the sales as much as possible. Besides of that, it is using the current technology to keep track on every single sale at each store among all the stores in around forty countries. New financial systems through the new technology being in charge enable the company to manage the financial systems of each single store. Wal-Mart’s mission is to get to zero waste and highest sales among the other retailers. It is been said that Wal-Mart is doing the best of retailing, and it is because of various aspects of the organization although I believe planning, low pricing, using modern information systems and controlling strategies are the most vital characteristics of the organization’s triumph. Wal-Mart is established based on lowest prices possible for customers, and that is one of the most significant factors of the company’s success. Everyday low pricing, EDLP is a strategy that organizations use to offer low prices than common prices of products which would encourage customers to purchase without waiting for sales. According to the...
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...Wal*Mart’s Financial Performance vs. Competitors As of 1993, Wal*Mart’s financial performance is much stronger than that of its competitive peers. Based on the reading and some analysis of the exhibits, I identified Wal*Mart’s main competitors as Kmart, Target and Bradlees. Wal*Mart’s sales value of 44,900 in 1993 in discount department stores is much higher than its closest competitor, Target, which posted sales of 26,449. Furthermore, the CapEx that Wal*Mart has put into the stores has returned the most value, as the sales/sq foot is much higher for Wal*Mart than its identified competition at 534.52 vs 122, respectively (Appendix1) Wal*Mart’s Strategy & How it was Employed Initially, Wal*Mart employed a focused low cost strategy to provide consumers in rural territories access to discount stores (Appendix5). They aimed to build large stores in isolated markets with smaller populations and offer attractive prices for a variety of products to compete with local grocers and cities within driving distance. Wal*Mart would buy product in bulk and store it in a regional warehouse facility utilizing 2 step hub and spoke and cross-docking to minimize distribution costs when transferring products to stores. These cost savings allowed Wal*Mart to charge lower prices to their consumers as well as minimize external distribution costs. This is displayed in Wal*Mart’s financial statements, most notably in its operating expenses (Appendix3). Wal*Mart continued to expand beyond...
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...significant environmental threats and discuss how the company should respond to each threat to ensure that the impact to the business is minimal. Wal-Mart recently faced a hard time due to the recent increase to boost their revenue because of competitive low price by rivals in the retail market. In addition, a tough economic trend in the world and the saturation point coming in the US also let economists expect a more customer slowdown. Although, Wal-Mart tried to target on up-markets with their high-grade products as a new strategy, it was abolished due to individuals with lower incomes did not adapt to their shopping habit. As a result, Wal-Mart set the price leadership strategy, which pursues lower costs in broad target. This grass-roots strategy led the company to the success. Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart, pointed that their decision based on customers’ monetary condition was totally right in the current economy, and they believe that it is still vital to continue in the next spell Another fact is the successful decision on international operation. Wal-Mart has been running this international division in 13 countries and operated expansion of its subsidiaries carefully (walmartstores.com). However, they have also failed in some divisions because of unsatisfactory sales results. As an example of their decision, Wal-Mart ceased their German operation to sale 85 shops to a local competitor (walmart.com), they also closed operations in South Korea in 2006 (walmart.com)...
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...PREPARED BY: GROUP MEMBER 1) NURSYAHIDAH BINTI RAZALI 62283113720 2) NURUL NABILAH BINTI RAZALI 62283313248 3) NURUL ZAITUN BINTI ABDUL MALIK 62283313168 4) UMMI KHALSUM BINTI RAHMAT 62283313053 PREPARED FOR: LECTURER’S NAME: MOHD HAIZAM BIN MOHD SAUDI 1. What is the nature of the company business? What are their product lines? Wal-Mart is the World's largest retailer. It has over 11,500 stores in 28 countries across the globe. Wal-Mart is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores and grocery stores. Walmart products include discount stores, cash and carry wholesale, warehouse club, super-center, supermarket and superstore and also an e-commerce business. 2. Develop a suitable vision and mission statement for the company. Vision i. To be the best retailer in the hearts and mind of consumer and employees. ii. To promote ownership of Wal-Mart ethical culture to all stakeholder globally. Mission i. Saving the people's money so they can live better. ii. If we work together we will lower the cost of living for everyone. iii. Save money. Live better. 3. Using the following template, develop EIGHT (8) core business objectives in fulfilling the stakeholder’s expectation. Please refer Chapter 4 page 134 of your text book for the details. The objectives must meet SMART (Specific, Measurable...
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...Walton,the leader (strategy Vector) innovative vision,tech savvy, and observing business practices, keeping one step ahead of the ever-changing technology and methods of today’s fast-paced business environment. Strike a comfortable balance between increasing its profits and recognizing its social and ethical responsibilities. Why is Wal-Mart so Successful? Is it Good Strategy or Good Strategy Implementation? Vector Core Values What ,And why analysis The Wal-Mart Philosophy — Wal-Mart is successful not only because it makes sound strategic management decisions, but also for its innovative implementation of those strategic decisions. Regarded by many as the entrepreneur of the century, Walton had a reputation for caring about his customers, his employees (or “associates” as he referred to them), and the community. In order to maintain its market position in the discount retail business, Wal-Mart executives continue to adhere to the management guidelines Sam developed. Walton was a man of simple tastes and took a keen interest in people. He believed in three guiding principles: 1. Customer value and service; 2. Partnership with its associates; 3. Community involvement (The Story of Wal-Mart, 1995). The Customer — The word “always” can be seen in virtually all of Wal-Mart’s literature. One of Walton’s deepest beliefs was that the customer is always right, and his stores are still driven by this philosophy. When questioned about Wal-Mart’s secrets of success, Walton...
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...International Business Strategy | Wal-Mart Case Study | | Aneesha Radia | | 09466782 | 1/28/2013 | | Contents 1. How attractive was the discount retailing industry in the USA when Wal-Mart first began operations in the 1950s? 3 THE THREAT OF ENTRY 3 THE DEGREE OF RIVALRY 3 THE THREAT OF SUBSTITUES 3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS 4 SUPPLIER POWER 4 2. With reference to the key components of its Business Model, describe the sources of Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage in the USA 4 FIRM INFASTRUCTURE 4 HUMAN RESOURCES 5 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 5 PROCUREMENT 5 INBOUND LOGISTICS 5 OPERATIONS 5 MARKETING AND SALES 6 3. How sustainable is Wal-Mart’s competitive advantage in discount retailing in the USA? 6 IMITATION 6 SUSTITUTION 6 SLACK 7 HOLD-UP 7 4. With reference to Dunning’s Eclectic Paradigm of foreign direct Investment (FDI), compare and contrast Wal-Mart’s entry into the German market in 1997 with it’s subsequent entry into the UK market in 1999. Why was Wal-Mart unsuccessful in Germany, withdrawing in 2006, and relatively successful in the UK? 7 FIRM SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES 7 LOCATION SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES 8 INTERNALIZATION 9 APPENDICIES 10 APPENDIX 1 10 SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES 10 APPENDIX 2 10 SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES 10 APPENDIX 3 11 SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES APPENDIX 4 11 SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES 11 REFERENCES 12 1. How attractive was the discount retailing industry in the USA when Wal-Mart first began operations...
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...Picking Wal-Mart's POCKETS By Michael Bergdahl, International Speaker, Author & Wal-Mart Competition Authority Author of the Books: “What I Learned From Sam Walton” & “The 10 Rules of Sam Walton” Wal-Mart is coming! Wal-Mart is coming! Wal-Mart is coming! The mere mention of the name Wal-Mart engenders fear in the hearts of competitors around the globe. The reality is that Wal-Mart is coming to a town near you . . . so what are competitor’s to do? Historically, as Wal-Mart has expanded its operations around the globe the local competitive environment changes . . . forever! Wal-Mart has trounced hapless competitors worldwide so what can you do to make certain you are not one of them? The fact is that in every market Wal-Mart has entered there are retailers who were there before Wal-Mart arrived and they are still there today, competing surviving and even thriving! Unfortunately there are many other retailers who break under the pressure of Wal-Mart’s Every Day Low Prices. Where can you learn the lessons you need to learn in order to insure the success of your business in a Wal-Mart World? The answer is by Picking Wal-Mart’s POCKETS! POCKETS is actually an acronym “P.O.C.K.E.T.S.” which defines the seven strategies of Wal-Mart. The symbolism of P.O.C.K.E.T.S. is that for any business to compete effectively it has to identify its own unique market, niche or “POCKETS”. The acronym stands for: P = Price, O = Operations, C = Culture K = Key Item Promotion/Product...
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...Assignment 3: Wal-Mart, 2005 MKTG 6301.PI1: Marketing for Managers Saturday, 4 August 2013 Summary “Give me a W! Give an A! Give me an L! ...” If you just listen close enough, you just might hear this cheer echoing in a neighborhood near you. The likelihood of this happening has increased right along with Wal-Mart’s growing global presence to 4,900 U.S. stores along with a global presence to 11 countries around the world. Lee Scott, CEO Wal-Mart, was quoted as saying, “Could we be two times larger? Sure. Could we be three times larger? I think so.” The question then becomes, is this healthy for the U.S. business climate as well as for Americans in general? Wal-Mart’s growth is two fold. First is their “Everyday low prices”(EDLP) model combined with their low-wage and little to no benefits model. Through maximizing these models, Wal-Mart has grown into the super giant they are today. This has created a reputation for them as the corporate bully or the wimpy rich kid who owns the bat and ball. Either way they control the game and the output. Which leads to our discussion today, where we will take a look at the company from a variety of angles and viewpoints, some of their key issues, review a SWOT analysis that will guide us to our decision and why we believe this is the best path forward for Wal-Mart. Questions to keep in mind as we go along are: “Does Wal-Mart know what’s best?” and “Do consumers even care?” Whether one is a fanatic of Wal-Mart, or resents the...
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