Introduction
Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that sells a variety of merchandise, including clothing, electronics, toys, and home goods. It was started to provide affordable goods to the masses, create jobs and stimulate the economy, and keep money within the local community. The company also has a structure that helps it by creating a mapping of roles and responsibilities within the organization, which can help to ensure that everyone is working towards common goals. The organization’s mission has been to help its clients save by lowering their prices, while its vision focuses on offering the best services to employees and customers. Walmart is a multinational company with a clear organizational structure, vision, and mission to help it achieve its goals.
Walmart Background
Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and his brother, Bud Walton. The company has its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas; while Walmart is a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, it is still controlled by the founding family (Kenny, 2021). Sam Walton decided to open a chain of stores that would offer everyday low prices on a wide selection of products. He was motivated by the idea that everyone, no matter how poor, should have access to affordable goods (Kenny, 2021). Walmart was an immediate success, and today it is the world’s largest retailer. One of the things that makes Walmart so successful is its efficient distribution network, which allows it to keep costs down while still offering competitive prices.
Walmart Organizational Structure
Walmart employs a structure known as a hierarchy; senior managers make the high-level decisions that guide the company, while middle managers are responsible for carrying out these decisions and heading up specific departments or projects. Entry-level employees typically fill frontline positions in stores or warehouses. The hierarchical structure at Walmart enables the company to run smoothly and efficiently by ensuring that tasks are carried out in a predetermined order (Kenny, 2021). It also allows workers to specialize in certain areas, which increases their productivity. However, this type of organizational structure can also lead to some drawbacks, such as inflexibility and a lack of creativity.
Similarly, the Walmart organizational structure is a complex yet well-oiled machine. It consists of three key divisions: the store division, the Sam’s Club division, and the international division. The store division is responsible for running all of Walmart’s retail stores (Kenny, 2021). The Sam’s Club division operates as a membership-based warehouse club that offers discounts on goods and services to its members. The international division oversees all of Walmart’s operations outside of North America. Each of these divisions is further divided into several business units, which are in charge of different aspects of Walmart’s business. For example, the store division has business units for merchandising, marketing, human resources, and finance. This intricate structure allows Walmart to operate efficiently and effectively.
Walmart Mission and Vision
Walmart also has its mission and vision that keeps it growing and developing. Walmart’s mission is “to save people money so they can live better” (Garcia & Red, 2020, p.3). Walmart seeks to provide low prices on everyday items to its customers, as well as offer a variety of other services such as pharmacy and gasoline discounts. Walmart’s vision is to be the best retailer in employees’ and clients’ minds and hearts (Garcia & Red, 2020). The company strives to provide quality products at relatively lower prices and excellent customer service (Garcia & Red, 2020). Walmart also aims to be a good environmental steward and to create opportunities for its employees, shareholders, and communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of large discount department stores and grocery stores. The company has a hierarchical organizational structure with senior and middle managers and divisions responsible for making decisions to ensure smooth operations in the company. Conversely, Walmart’s organizational mission and vision are important because they provide a clear direction for the company and help to ensure that all employees are working towards the same goal.
References
Garcia, G. J. V., & Red, E. R. (2020). Information systems utilization of an organization: The case of Walmart Inc. College of Computer and Information Science.
Kenny, B. (2021). Walmart and labor conditions in South Africa: Local retailing, contract labor, and union challenges. In C. Bank Muñoz, B. Kenny & A. Stecher (Ed.), Walmart in the Global South (pp. 64-86). University of Texas Press.