Gateway

Making Hotplates

Michael E. Johnson

BUS 644 Operations Management

Prof. Jon Webber

December 16, 2012

Wal-Mart

Read the “Hello, Wal-Mart?” case below. Answer questions 1-2 in a two to four (2-4) page APA style paper. Your paper should be in paragraph form (avoid the use of bullet points), and supported with the concepts outlined in your text.

Wal-Mart is the largest corporation in the world, and it has obviously enjoyed tremendous success. But while many welcome its location in their communities, others do not. Some complain that its presence has too many negative effects on a community, ranging from traffic congestion to anti-union sentiment to unfair competition.

Suppose Wal-Mart has announced plans to seek approval from the planning commission of a small town to build a new store. Develop a list of the main arguments, pro and con, that could be presented at a public hearing on the matter by members of each of these two groups:

1. Owners of small businesses located nearby.

These days many small business store owners are losing sleep with the threat of a new Wal-Mart neighborhood Market threatening to kill their business. It’s unfortunate that the thought of competing with Wal-Mart causes stress and anxiety for small businesses owners. Community Small business owners are scared of what can happen when the retail giant opens its door. Although some neighborhoods may not be the most attractive, some small businesses run by first generation immigrants do their best to continue to operate. (Lee, 2012)

Communities have various family owned businesses from clothing shops to party stores with piñatas that have established themselves and cater to the working class public. It is easy to understand that most small business wonder why would Wal-Mart open in my neighborhood. There’s no doubt that all of the small businesses in this area will be worse off. The bad news is that family owned businesses which sell similar items to Wal-Mart will not be...