1. Identify Wal-Mart’s mission/vision and stakeholders
Wal-Mart is one of the leading businesses in the United States. This company has its dealings mainly in general products, discount businesses and local marketplaces. Wal-Mart’s business operations are grouped as belonging to a larger retail industry (Troy, 2001).
Wal-Mart’s Mission Statement
“To assist people save money so they can live better” (Troy, 2001).
There are groups and people who have a stake in Wal-Mart’s operations. This company’s stakeholders have been categorized into two groups namely; market and non-market (Fairfax, 2006). The market stakeholders are those people and groups which have an economic bet in the company’s operations. They include; company executives, employees, consumers, surrounding community and many others. Non-market stakeholders on the hand do not have an economic wager in the operations of the company. These people include; politicians, labor unions and international businesses. Wal-Mart employs the public and political approach to maintain good relations with its stake holders. This company for instance does everything in its power to avoid being exposed negatively in public by its rivals.
2. Discuss the external environment for Wal-Mart, at all levels, such as macro environment, global, and industry.
Wal-Mart has been in operation for a considerable time now thus aspects such as new entrants hardly affect the company. New entrants cannot easily penetrate Wal-Mart’s market unless they utilize specialized and tactful strategies. Wal-Mart also has limited competition hence it is not affected by this aspect as well (Rindova, Becerra & Contardo, 2004). Wal-Mart has already won a large market share. On matters concerning substitutes, this company is frequently changing strategies to avoid being overtaken by its rivals. This company has several branches in other nations and ensures that it offers the best services and technologies to its customers. Substitutes are of great influence to Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is also largely affected by bargaining power. This company tries to reduce its prices and ensures that product cost is similar to merchandise quality. On matters concerning benchmarking, Tesco, a European retailer has attracted a large market share both locally and internationally.
3. Fully assess just one internal strength or weakness, and explain how it impacts an external opportunity or threat
Wal-Mart finds its strength in its company name. The company’s products are well known globally and it has the ability to adjust its strategies when need be. This particular strength makes it hard for Wal-Mart to be surpassed by its competitors such as Tesco. Tesco has tried its level best to expand its business operations across the globe though it is yet to catch up with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s company name acts as security for the company hence it contributes greatly to the growth and sustainability of this particular company.
4. Choose one strategic choice, and identify which level it addresses. Later on in the discussion, consider whether the strategic choices are in sync with their generic strategy as described by Porter.
Wal-Mart’s strategic choices entail expanding into other international markets, operating above retail and exploring other markets and controlling labor associations (Weitzner & Darroch, 2010). Wal-Mart has nearly four hundred stores in the international markets particular German and the United Kingdom. Wal-Mart is looking forward to explore Asian markets as well. Wal-Mart has also entered into other sectors and trades goods in wholesale. In the United States, Wal-Mart has nearly four hundred and seventy five warehouses under the name Sum’s club. This company has also tried its level best to control its workforce and makes sure that its employees do not form any unions. The company fears that if unions form they might robe Wal-Mart its number one position as a top retail business.
These strategic choices are in tandem with the company’s generic strategies as described by porter.
5. Choose one implementation tactic, identify whether it concerns structure, controls, HR, or culture and whether or not you think it positively supports their strategy at the proper level.
In order to implement its strategies, Wal-Mart has adapted another tactic that entails adapting a friendlier industry attitude. In public, this company portrays a joyful attitude while off the media; Wal-Mart is significantly aggressive. This strategy greatly concerns Wal-Mart’s culture. This tactic has managed to assist in the implementation of the company’s strategies (Canal, 2000).
References
Fairfax, Lisa M. (2006). The Rhetoric of Corporate Law: The Impact of Stakeholder Rhetoric on Corporate Norms. Journal of Corporation Law, Vol. 31 Issue 3, p675-718, 44p
Weitzner, D., & Darroch, J. (2010). The Limits of Strategic Rationality: Ethics, Enterprise Risk
Management, and Governance. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 92 Issue 3, p361-372, 12p, 3 Charts; DOI: 10.1007/s10551-009-0159-0
Rindova, V.P., Becerra, M.,& Contardo, I. (2004). Enacting Competitive Wars: Competitive activity, language games, and Market Consequences. Academy of Management Review,
Vol. 29 Issue 4, p670-686, 17p, 1 Diagram; DOI: 10.5465/AMR.2004.14497655
Troy, Mike. (2001).The World's Largest Retailer. Chain Store Age Executive, 47
Canal, Jordi.(2000). Managing corporate growth. London: University press
