Walmart Ethics and Compliance Paper

Team D Ethics and Compliance Paper

Stephen Eaton, Sharon Gaston, Steve Jones, Shanel Loveless, Scott Roper, Yuri Whiteker

FIN 370

December 16, 2013

Karen DeMichelis

Ethics and Compliance Paper

Success in today’s ever-changing marketplace is dependent upon enforcing corporate ethics and maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In the United States, the Security and Exchange Committee (SEC) outline policies and procedures for businesses to follow. Team D will evaluate Wal-Mart’s Stores, Inc. to disclose its ethics policies and procedure along with show how incorporating them enhances ethical behavior in the workplace. Wal-Mart applies ethical processes daily to comply with SEC regulations and aspires to function in the financial markets with the highest standards. Team D will also analyze Wal-Mart’s business performance by assessing current, debt, return on equity, and day’s receivable ratios for the past three years. This will uncover trends for each ratio and provide a clear observation of Wal-Mart’s financial health.

Wal-Mart’s statement of ethics is a quote from its founder Sam Walton: “Personal and moral integrity is one of our basic fundamentals and it has to start with each of us” (Statement of Ethics, 2013). Wal-Mart’s intent is to promote the highest ethical standards daily through its three basic beliefs; respect for individuals, service to its customers, and striving for excellence (Statement of Ethics, 2013). The creation of guiding principles facilitates the ideal situation for encouraging Wal-Mart associates to act in accordance with company policies. Wal-Mart employees receive training on reporting truthful information free of manipulation, appropriate conduct within the workplace environment, and maintaining relationships beyond their company position without conflict of interest. Conflict of interest free represents prohibiting associates and family members from conducting personal business with organizations wishing to...