Walmart ethical issues case study

Case Study 1: Walmart Manages Ethics And Compliance Challenges

Read "Case Study 3: Walmart Manages Ethics and Compliance Challenges," located on page 407 of the textbook. Then, read the article titled, “The Good, the Bad, and Wal-Mart”, located at http://www.workplacefairness.org/reports/good-bad-wal-mart/wal-mart.php.

Write a four (4) page paper in which you:

Examine the manner in which Walmart’s business philosophy has impacted its perception of being unethical towards supply and employee stakeholders. Provide one (1) example of Walmart in an unethical situation.
Determine the major effects that Walmart’s business philosophy has had on its human resource practices and policies.
Analyze two (2) of the legal mandates that workers and U.S. government has accused Walmart of violating. Provide an explanation as to why these legal mandates were violated, citing specific violations.
Evaluate the efficiency of the structure of the ethical decision making framework that Walmart has used in making its decisions. Provide a rationale for your response.
Recommend two (2) actions that Walmart’s Human Resources Department should take in order to improve the employees’ perspectives of Walmart’s human resources policies. Provide a rationale for your recommendations.
Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Describe the business ethics issues and definitions, theories, and frameworks important to organizational ethical decision making and the role of a human resource professional.
Determine the role of stakeholder interests, the interrelationship of ethics and social responsibility, and the role of corporate governance in ethics.
Examine ethical issues and dilemmas in business.
Write clearly and concisely about issues in ethics and advocacy for HR professionals using correct grammar and mechanics.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in business ethics and advocacy for HR professionals.

Walmart Stores, Inc., is an icon of American business. From small-town business to mul- tinational corporation, from a hugely controversial company to a leader in renewable energy, Walmart has long been a lightning rod for news and criticism. With 2012 net sales of more than $443 billion and more than 2 million employees, the world’s second largest public corporation must carefully manage many stakeholder relationships. It is a challenge that has sparked significant debate. While Walmart’s mission is to help people save money and live better, the company has received plenty of criticism regarding its treatment of employees, suppliers, and economic impacts on communities. Walmart has the potential to save families hundreds of dollars a year, according to some studies. At the same time, however, research shows that communities can be negatively affected by Walmart’s arrival in their areas. Moreover, feminists, activists, and labor union leaders have all voiced their belief that Walmart has engaged in misconduct. Walmart has attempted to turn over a new leaf with emphases on diversity, charitable giving, support for nutrition, and sustainability, all of which have contributed to a revitalized image for Walmart. In fiscal year 2012, the company, along with its Walmart Foundation, donated more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions. However, more recent scandals such as bribery accusations in Mexico have created significant ethics and compliance challenges that Walmart must address in its quest to become a socially responsible retailer. This analysis begins by briefly examining the growth of Walmart; next, it discusses the company’s various relationships with stakeholders, including competitors, suppliers, and employees. The ethical issues concerning these stakeholders include accusations of dis- crimination, leadership misconduct, bribery, and safety. We discuss how Walmart deals with these concerns, as well as recent endeavors in sustainability and social responsibility. The analysis concludes by examining what Walmart is currently doing to increase its com- petitive advantage and repair its reputation