Wal-Mart Case Study

Abstract

Large companies find themselves in a constant struggle of making profit and fighting off scrutiny from outside sources. Being ranked as one of the world’s largest corporations, Wal-Mart has been dealing with a fair share of criticism. Public opinion and internal turmoil have characterized a bad perception about the company, especially the treatment of their employees (also known as associates) and the threat to small businesses around them. These and other problems have drawn a lot of adverse attention to Wal-Mart and overshadow their positive achievements. As negative opinions have been growing over the years, Wal-Mart has managed to find new public relations approaches or initiatives to overcome them. There are certain pillars we have to identify to get to the heart of some issues Wal-Mart has been facing and their attempt to overcome them.

Case Analysis of Wal-Mart’s Current Strategy and Challenges

Society has changed its buying habit throughout the years. Our grandparents liked the idea of going to the store around the corner. Back then, you were greeted by your first name when you entered and there was a family flair to shopping. Today, individuals do not need to experience the same ‘home away from home’ feeling. They want it convenient, fast, and cheap. The idea of Wal-Mart’s one-stop shopping suits our busy lifestyles, but it comes with a price that we do not think about often enough. We don’t know what a company has to go through to provide us the service we grew accustomed to; we don’t question how prices can be kept so low; and we don’t wonder what negative effects such a business can have on its surroundings. On the other hand, we expect large corporations to comply with what we believe the standard should be. We scrutinize companies and want them to be on their ‘best behavior’ at all times, may it be complying with rules and regulations, keeping up with environmental demands, or treating employees with dignity and respect. Running a...