Describe about the Ethics for Managers for Social Sustainability and Welfare Enhancement.
The study will focus on five important questions, which will conclude summaries the business operations of Walmart. Walmart is one of the leading retail-marketing firms across the world. The study will focus on five important questions, which will conclude about the sustainability of the company, significant ethical issues, the CSR models, which the company follows, key attributes of the stakeholders and the ethics, which the organization supports in the business communication and business practices.
The first question of the study will evaluate the sustainability factor of the chosen company Walmart. The general issue will evaluate the primary three factors, of the business viability of the selected organization Walmart, which will mainly focus on employees, society, and the environment. To proceed with this particular question, there are certain factors, which will concentrate on the sustainability of the organization. Sustainability is one of the key factors in different groups. Business exists in a dynamic environment, which is changing very frequently (Aras and Crowther, 2012). It is one of the most challenging jobs for the companies to develop an overall plan of activities based on the nature and objectives of the firm to build a proper sustainable business environment. This particular organization follows some steps in the process of developing appropriate business sustainability in the overall business process.
Walmart uses individual business parameters to develop a sustainable business plan. Out of all the key parameters one of the key parameters, which this particular organization follows, is the application of the Sustainability Index. With the use of the sustainability, Index, the company, will be able to compare and contrast the sustainability by developing a measurement, reporting system Walmart focuses more on suppliers, and in the year 2012, Mike Duke, the CEO of the company introduced this particular concept to set improved goals towards increasing the sustainability of the supply chain. The notion of the supply chain management contributes as one of the most significant parts of the overall business operations. It develops the overall outline of the firm administration.
There are some new evaluative criteria for the primary sourcing merchants towards encouraging the sustainability of the business and donates $2 million towards funding the sustainability consortium. If these goals are achieved entirely, it will increase the viability of the supplier significantly. However, there are three essential steps, which will define the sustainability index of the company. The first phase includes the development process of a proper sustainability program with a view to creating a more transparent supply chain regarding durability. The second step, which the organization has developed in the proceedings, is forming a consortium. The third and the final step involve the process of conveying this particular information, which will focus on communicating the information to the customers with a view of keeping them updated. One of the key environmental attributes of Walmart is to produce zero waste goals. This particular initiative developed by the Walmart Mexico towards converting 1.2 million pounds of used cooking oil into biodiesel, soap, and supplements for cattle feed as well as composting over 1900 metric tons of organic waste.
On the other hand, the company has developed different kinds of recycling methods to maintain the greenery of the environment. The company has been able to keep 80 percent of its overall operational wastes out of the landfills. This is one of the most remarkable initiatives, which this organization has developed for the overall business operations. “Being Green” is one of the most fruitful and creative measures which this particular company produces in the overall process. The role of employees contributes as one of the most crucial aspects of the business operations (Cabezas and Diwekar 2012). If the employees of the business firms are benefited, it will bring individual positive impact on the overall proceedings of the company operations. Walmart has both lightening news and criticism as far as the employee’s concerns. Based on the statistical report of the year 2012, Walmart was the second largest companies with an employee turnover of nearly 2 million. With the view of social concern, the organization’s mission is to help people save money and leave better. With a combination of all the three major factors, which includes employees, societies and the environment, the contribution made by the organization towards developing a proper business sustainability program is remarkable.
The second question of the assignment will focus towards following different kinds of business ethics in the overall business operations of the Walmart. There are certain rules and regulations which various business firms irrespective of the nature of the enterprise need to follow in the business proceedings. This part of the study will ensure towards concluding what are the significant ethical consideration and ethical issues faced by the organization in the region. It will also address the participation of the company to solve it. The growth of this particular organization is remarkable, which began in the year 1962. Based on different kinds of statistical information it has found that the company serves more than 200 million customers daily.
There are different classifications of the ethical consideration of the business. Some of the highlighted ethical issues of the company include employee’s benefits, Walmart’s stance on Unions, workplace combination and discrimination, ethical problems in the overall leadership process, Bribery Scandal and safety issues of the companies are some of the vital combination of the ethical considerations of the organizations. Out of all the ethical issues, one of the most important topics is the bribery issues, which took place Mexico in the recent time. An alleged large-scale issue took place in the Mexican arm, Walmex. The report concludes that the company paid millions of pound to obtain licensing and zoning permits for the store location. It was one of the biggest ethical considerations, which the company faces during its expansion process.
The selected organization in the assignment operates its business across the major cities of the globe and on the other hand, it faced certain issues in the process of developing a proper expansion plan and procedures (Chobanov, Plöhn and Schellhaas 2012). The main reason behind this particular scandal is the approval process of licensing in Mexico takes a certain amount of time as compared with the United States. With a view of speeding up the overall proceedings, the company offered bribery to the officers. The executive covered their tracks with a view of fraudulent reporting methods. However, there are certain safety issues, which the company faced while operating its business in overseas. Nevertheless, one of the most common organizational issues is highlighted in the study is the increase in complexity of the supply chain management (Gond and Moon 2012).
If the overall procedures of the supply chain management are hampered, it brings certain organizational issues in the context of the business. All the highlighted issues of the company took place in the past, and Walmart has developed different alternative options to solve all the specific problems. Walmart is one of the leading organizations in the retail sector across the world, and it has been criticized for low wages and benefits to the employees. To solve this particular issue, the company has developed certain pay structures, keeping in mind the interests of the workers. The low pay scale system of the company concluded workplace conditions and discriminations. However, by analyzing all the facts the company has performed an excellent job towards solving all the issues and run the business by following all the ethical considerations of the specified county.
CSR contributes as one of the most significant parts of the business proceedings. The answer to this particular question will address the four CSR models of the company, which Walmart followed in the overall business operations. Some of the key factors of this particular question will solve the impact of CSR on small merchants and its effects on communities. CSR practice and theories is an extended model of the corporate government based on the duties owned to all the firms’ shareholders (Chobanov, Plöhn and Schellhaas 2012).
Walmart firmly believes in the process of the managing the business process with the view of producing an overall positive impact on the society. However, it is a responsibility towards cooperating an effective procedure towards contributing for the benefits if the society. Nevertheless, Walmart contributes in the process of CSR with the view for a better society and cleaner environment. The answer to this particular question will highlight the CSR model, which Walmart follows in the business operations.
There are three important features, which Walmart follows in the CSR models. Sustainability, opportunity and community are the three essential features, which Walmart follows in the proceedings of the business. The company always try to help people with the view of live better extends far better beyond the walls of the stores of different countries. The commitment of the company is to make the real difference by working to create economic opportunity for the enhancement of the sustainability of the operations as well as the system where the organization belongs. Walmart actively keeps in mind the requirements of different individuals who are linked with the groups.
Figure 1: CSR Model of Walmart
This section of the assignment will highlight the application of Carroll’s four-part model of the CSR practices, which Walmart follows in the business proceedings. There are four important attributes, which will conclude about the benefits of using this particular business model with a view of maintaining a proper Corporate Social Responsibility. Philanthropic responsibility, ethical responsibility, Legal Responsibility and Economic Responsibility are the four layers of Carroll’s four-part model of CSR policies and practices.
It is one of the most significant marketing tools which majority of the business organization irrespective of nature as well as the size of the company follows in the overall business proceedings and operations . The layers of this particular CSR model are classified with the help of certain critical parameters, which are highlighted in the following part of the assignment. Desired by society, expectation of the community, and the requirements of the community are the three essential factors, which are included in this particular tool of CSR models and practices.
The first layer of this particular theory involves the effectiveness of the economic components of the society. It is very much important to perform in a manner, which is consistent with the benefits of the society. However, the most important parameters are to maintain an overall competitive advantage in the proceedings of the business operations in the required manner by maintaining a high level of the operational efficiency (Robbins and Coulter, 2012). The second layer of the theory describes the different kinds of legal components, which the Walmart develops, in this particular theory. It is very much significant to perform in a manner by following the ethics established by the government of the country, which includes national legislations. On the other hand, the definition of the successful firm can be defined as the as one that fulfills all the legal obligations in a defined manner. The third level of the pyramid will determine the ethical norms of this particular tool. On the other hand, it is necessary with the view of recognizing and respecting the applications of different kinds of ethics towards developing a proper business proceeding.
Some of the most important factors, which will contribute to the legal aspects of the ethical considerations, are to define the level of corporate integrity and ethical behavior, which will cooperate with the legislations of the country. The final point is the application of the philanthropic responsibility, which includes the following factors that need to fulfill in the overall organizational behavior (Aras and Crowther 2012). This particular point needs to be performed in such a manner, which will conclude about the philanthropic as well as with the charitable expectations of the society. There are certain expectations, which the society expects from different organizations that need to be fulfilled. It is very much important that the managers and the employees both participate in various kinds of social activities for the benefits of the society.
Figure 2:
CSR Model (Carroll’s Model)
(Key attributes of Walmart basis of the stakeholders)
The answer to this particular question will address the different key attributes of the organization, which includes power, legitimacy, and urgency and will highlight about the stakeholder’s background. Stakeholders contribute as one of the major parts in the business. There are different definitions, which conclude the meaning of stakeholders. Individuals and groups with a different interest, expectations, and demands about the contribution of the business to the society are known as the notion of the stakeholders in business. However, the three relevant parameters, which need to be considered while determining the effectiveness of the stakeholders, are legitimacy, power, and urgency. The notion of legitimacy will conclude the validity of the stakeholder in the business; power will conclude the ability of the stakeholders to affect the firm’s operations (Wheelen and Hunger 2012). The final point is the notion of urgency, which will evaluate the degree of immediate attention of the stakeholder’s claim. Every firm irrespective of the nature of the business follows three attributes to incorporate into the company operations. However, the case study in the business relates the stakeholder’s background of the selected organization Walmart.
However, some of the key stakeholders of the different organizations based on the nature of the firm include government, employees, owners, consumers, and society. The further classifications of the stakeholders are classified into two points, which include primary stakeholders and the secondary stakeholders. Walmart follows a combination of both the major stakeholders as well as the secondary stakeholders. The primary stakeholders are those stakeholders of the company who are related directly to the organization’s success, which includes the owners, managers, shareholders, and workers. Further, the classifications of the stakeholders are classified into two categories, which include core stakeholders and the strategic stakeholders (Robbins and Coulter, 2012). The core stakeholders are very much essential for the survival of the firm. On the other hand, the notions of the strategic stakeholders are vital for the organization and are required to face its threats and opportunities in the overall proceedings of the business (Werhane 2012). On the other hand, the ideas of the strategic stakeholders are very much vital for the organization as it concludes the participation of the government, consumers, civil, and the society which are also known as the secondary stakeholders.
To determine the proper stakeholder’s background, Walmart has decided to develop a good competitive advantage. However, some of the most important as well as some of the most common strategies Walmart follow the process of formulating an active as well as a proper background of the stakeholders, which concludes in the process of developing appropriate competitive forces (Collins 2012). To produce a perfect competition, the firm tries to develop a no risk position, which is equal to no risk environment with equal shares in the market and equal shares in the profit. However, in some situation business have to face different kinds of risks, which includes competitive risk, which mainly affects the market size, and profit of the organization. However, to scan both the external environment as well as the internal environment majority of the companies irrespective of the purpose of the business uses the notion of the SWOT Analysis to conclude what are the factors, which will affect both the internal environment as well as the external environment (Coombs and Holladay 2012).
The answer to this particular question will be classified into two sections, which includes the market stakeholders and the non-market stakeholders. The notion of the market stakeholders will contribute some of the key features, which includes the stockholders, the Walmart executives, the employees, and members of the community where Walmart is located, consumers, suppliers, NTOs, and non-competitors (Robinson 2012). On the other hand, in the case of non-market stakeholders, there are labor unions and international retail source. Walmart combination of both the stakeholders, Walmart develops its business operations and business plan.
This reply to this particular issue will address the communication and business practices of Walmart with suitable examples and will conclude some recommendations for Walmart to be a more ethically sound company in the future. Business ethics is a subject, which varies considerably from one company to another. The importance of the firm communication is to link standards to profit (Gond and Moon 2012).
Development of a proper social responsibility is one of the most important parts in the enterprise ethics. However, the one part of the study has highlighted about some of the important issues, which based on principles, which the organization in the past has faced. To resolve those issues, the Walmart has developed different kinds of the organizational plan to evaluate the right step for the right situation. Laws and regulations encourage the businesses to confirm the society’s standards and values (Halkias and Thurman 2012). The overall analysis of Walmart in the firm communication and practices by following the right ethics will conclude in four important points, which includes proper accounting, descriptive advertisement, best prices, practices, and much more (Pride, Hughes and Kapoor 2012).
Some of the important recommendations, which the company needs to follow, are highlighted in the following part of the study. It will help Walmart to build trust, promote confidence and validates relationships, which will bring certain positive impact on the overall proceedings of the business. However, some of the most important recommendations, which conclude the business process, are policies of the ethics, proper trainings of the ethics, role of the management and considerations. To be more company that is ethical in future; these are the measures, which Walmart need to follow in the business operations.
Conclusion
The concluding part of the study will focus on all the important factors, which will evaluate the business operations of Walmart. The five question of the study has analyzed all the crucial factors, which the organization has faced in the firm processes. One of the most important points is following a proper ethical consideration in the proceedings of the firm. The CSR model, which is highlighted in the study, will conclude about the applications of Carroll’s four-part of the CSR model is highlighted in the study. However, the most significant part, which is emphasized in the study, will focus on the stakeholder’s contributions for the organization.
Reference List
Aras, G. and Crowther, D. (2012). Business strategy and sustainability. Bingley, U.K.: Emerald.
Cabezas, H. and Diwekar, U. (2012). Sustainability. Sharjah: Bentham Science Publishers.
Chobanov, G., Plöhn, J. and Schellhaas, H. (2012). Markets, sustainability and social welfare enhancement in the European Union. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.
Collins, D. (2012). Business ethics. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons.
Coombs, W. and Holladay, S. (2012). Managing corporate social responsibility. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Gond, J. and Moon, J. (2012). Corporate social responsibility. London: Routledge.
Halkias, D. and Thurman, P. (2012). Entrepreneurship and sustainability. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.
Pride, W., Hughes, R. and Kapoor, J. (2012). Business. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Robbins, S. and Coulter, M. (2012). Management. Boston: Prentice Hall.
Robinson, Z. (2012). Sustainability. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
Werhane, P. (2012). Globalization and Its Challenges for Business and Business Ethics in the Twenty-first Century. Business and Society Review, 117(3), pp.383-405.
Wheelen, T. and Hunger, J. (2012). Strategic management and business policy. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
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