Workplace Observation: Wal-Mart of the USA - Case Study Example

Workplace observation paper: Wal-Mart of the USA Communication Practices: Walmart provides easy and user friendly online mode of communication. The customers have the choice of ordering their required products online, and taking these ordered goods from the nearest local Wal-Mart store, either through cash or deferred payment schemes. 2. Mission Statement’s role in supporting culture: The Mission Statement envisaged by the Founder, Mr. Sam Walton in the year of foundation, 1962, is relevant even today and forms the bulwark of Wal-Mart’s amazing and phenomenal success story. He had laid down the following tenets: Respect for the individual: The adage that a Company is known by the men it keeps has proved itself in the case of Wal-Mart. It comprises a team of dedicated and efficient ordinary men and women who have achieved extraordinary results. At Wal-Mart, it is believed that each individual is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect in any circumstance and this has been a fundamental reason for its tremendous success over the years. Service to Customer : Its customers are the primary force in its success and it is endeavored to offer them the highest quality at lowest prices. Creating Excellence: Innovation is what keeps Wal-Mart family ahead of the Competition. As the Founder, Mr. Sam Walton, it is never that the price is as low as it should be, or the quality as high as the customers want it to be. Wal-Mart is committed to striving for excellence in its endeavors. (Three Basic Beliefs, 2006). All the above factors that constitute its core values have been underpinned its Corporate culture and working philosophies. 3. Ethical standards and behavior: The highest possible ethical standards underpin the corporate culture at Wal-Mart. These ethical standards are nurtured to: Establish and assess the compliance of Wal-Mart’s factories and production units with established standards, to suppliers and in conformity with governing Code of Conduct. Implement a positive labor and environmental practice in its factories Work towards the implementation of better standards of living in Countries in which Wal-Mart products are marketed. Wal-Mart is bound by its cause to work in unison with vendors and stakeholders, to establish norms that would create avenues to reach and achieve its corporate objectives and address industrial challenges with viable and enforceable solutions that could be used in Wal-Mart’s supply chain and used in industry. (Wal-Mart, Ethical standards programme, 2006). 4. Organizational Diversity: At Wal-Mart, diversity is not happened overnight nor is it made by accident. Since its inception in 1962, Wal-Mart has pursued a deliberate policy of commitment to diversity in its operations with an overwhelming degree of success. Merely preaching that a Company is bounded to enforce diversity is not enough. It also needs to be implemented in true fervour.It is done through right systems, processes and leaderships to make it happen.” (Wal-Mart, 2006). The Company follows the policy of respecting an individual’s rights, providing for service to the customers and continually striving for achieving excellence in all chosen endeavors. Wal-Mart has been second to none in its pursuit for diversity. Its hiring policies are manifested in the Wal-Mart’s diversity in the community and growth of the number of women and the minorities in its executive rank and file. 5. Dress and language (jargon): Wal-Mart has introduced a new dress Code. It would consist of two free navy blue “shirts with solid light tan to dark brown pants or skirts." Although the shirts would be free, the associates would be paid $15 to buy the pants/skirts. However, Wal-Mart insists that this is not a uniform. (Gogoi, 2007). 6. Organizational customs: The organizational customs in Wal-Mart is to offer the best product to the customer at the lowest rates, backed with excellent after-sales service. As has been the practice with the store since is inception, the customer’s interest is paramount by giving him what he requires; the best interests of all concerned are served. 7. Conflict Management: Wal-Mart has been successful without much of interference from labor unions. By creating a congenial atmosphere for work, it has been able to reduce management- employee conflicts to the minimum. Therefore, it has become difficult for labour leaders to solicit their employees for membership in trade unions. (Shaffer, 2004). 8. Observable organizational policies: There is a conspicuous effort for striving for excellence in all endeavors executed by Wal-Mart and in the implementation of its corporate policies. This envisages better and more efficient methods of doing acts and developing efficacy combined with speed and accuracy whether it relates to matters relating to executive remuneration or improved vendor management systems. There is a visible presence of improving technology in all Wal-Mart’s efforts. (Walmart 2007). 9. Technological impact on culture: Over the years from very humble beginnings, the Wal-Mart has now grown to a giant corporation in its own right. Having established market leadership over the years, since 1962, it has been able to react positively and successfully to technological changes and has maintained its position of leadership by innovative marketing strategies, employee care and a passionate drive for customer satisfaction. The proof of their success lies in the fact that they have emerged triumphant as market leaders and have contributed immensely to the quality of lives of their employees, vendors, customers and stake-holders. (Wal-Mart, 2007). Artifacts: Systems & Stores: The Wal-Mart retail divisions comprises of the following: Discount Stores which family apparel, automotive products, health and beauty aids, home furnishings, electronics, etc. It also has Wal-Mart Supermarkets Super centers average 187,000 square feet, employ 350 or more associates on average and offer 142,000 different items Further,Wal-Mart neighborhood markets which fresh produce, daily foods, fresh meat and dairy items, health and beauty aids, one-hour photo and traditional photo developing services, drive-through pharmacies, stationery and paper goods, pet supplies, and household chemicals. It also has Sam’s Club which has a membership system and stocks about 5500 different products at cheap rates. An international division of Wal-mart serves 13 countries outside the US catering to about 176 global customers weekly. (Wal-Mart retail divisions, 2007). Reference Three Basic Beliefs. (2006). Wal mart stores. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=252 Wal-Mart 2006. (2006). Ethical standards programme. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=720 Wal-Mart 2006. (2006). Diversity. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=518 Gogoi, Pallavi. (2007). Wal-Mart: Off with their Smocks. Business Week. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/apr2007/db20070406_261194.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_businessweek+exclusives Shaffer, Butler. (2004). The Anti-Wal-Mart Jihad. Lew Rockwell.com. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://www.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer75.html Walmart. (2007). People. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=215 Wal-Mart. (2007). Our Company.. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=1 Wal-Mart retail divisions. (2007). Our retail division. Retrieved November 09, 2007, from http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/2502.aspx Read More