The positive Economic Impact of Walmart in a small community - Essay Example

As mentioned earlier the presence of a company like Wal-Mart can have both positive and negative consequences. It should also be noted that there are many critics who blame the company for a lot of things. For example, Wal-Mart is often accused of forcing smaller competitors to go out of business. It is also often accused of paying poor compensation and forcing long working hours out of it employees. In spite of these accusations, the world’s largest grocer and employer can bring about a lot of positive advantages in a community where it operates.

It is possible that the smaller the community, the greater the impact the company can create. The paper will review the advantages based on the following parameters. Social and economic effects: Any small community will welcome new jobs for its members. Such communities may not have the economic capability to provide a lot of jobs and many of the aspirants may be forced to go to bigger cities in search of it. According to a publication by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), a new Wal-Mart store will provide entry level and other jobs to members of a neighborhood where it opens its store (Store wars: When Wal-Mart comes to town, n.d.).

What is important here is that most of the jobs in a branch or discount store do not need high levels of educational qualification. Hence even those people with primary levels of education can get employment. Another advantage is that it prevents, to a certain extent, the movement of people out of the community. This is good in a social sense since families can stay together. The company also provides part-time jobs which can be made use of by students and home-makers. Students can use the extra income to pay for their education.

Home-makers, especially those who have domestic responsibilities can also take up such part-time jobs and maintain a form of work-life balance. PBS also states that Wal-Mart is one of the