QUESTION

Please address the following 11 questions for Part 3 Walmart Portfolio in APA essay format, 3rd person:

1. Are any employees of Walmart represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements? Are any of these employees working outside of the United States?
2. Does Walmart employ expatriates in any overseas operations it might have? If so, what resources does the company provide to train expatriates before they go to the foreign location? Does Walmart also provide training or support for expatriates during the repatriation phase?
3. To what extent, or in what ways, does Walmart use the Internet for employee training and development?
4. What products are sold in Walmart’s international markets? Do they vary by country or by region?
5. What types of promotion does your favorite company emphasize in its international markets? Do they differ from those used in its domestic market?
6. What kinds of distribution channels are being employed in Walmart’s international markets?
7. Is Walmart practicing global procurement? If Walmart is procuring globally, what goods and services is it procuring and from which countries?
8. Is Walmart practicing global production? If Walmart is producing globally, what goods and services are produced globally and in which countries?
9. Has Walmart outsourced goods and services? Has Walmart insourced goods and services?
10. Is Walmart a member of one or more supply chains? If yes, can you identify the major members of the supply chain(s)?
11. In what countries does Walmart export goods? Import goods? How would changes in the values of these countries’ currencies relative to the U.S. dollar affect transactions and translation risks? Economic risk?

• Make certain that you include references from at least 3 search engines below and from scholarly sources.
• Turnitin is required.

Gather your data from at least 3 sources below. Additional sources such as company annual reports; agencies like Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Value Line are acceptable.

ANSWER

Walmart’s Global Operations and Business Practices

Walmart, a multinational retail corporation, operates in various countries worldwide. This essay explores Walmart’s international operations, including its labor relations, employee training, product offerings, marketing strategies, distribution channels, procurement and production practices, outsourcing and insourcing activities, membership in supply chains, and import-export transactions. The essay draws information from a variety of sources, including search engines and scholarly references, to provide a comprehensive overview of Walmart’s global business practices.

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

Walmart employees in the United States are not typically represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. However, labor unions have made efforts to organize Walmart workers in the past, with limited success. Outside of the United States, Walmart employees may be subject to different labor regulations and practices that may include union representation and collective bargaining, depending on the specific country’s laws and labor landscape.

Expatriates and Employee Training

Walmart employs expatriates in its overseas operations to facilitate global business activities. To prepare expatriates for their assignments, Walmart provides comprehensive training programs that focus on cultural adaptation, language skills, and job-specific knowledge. This training equips expatriates with the necessary tools to operate effectively in foreign environments (Meuer et al., 2019). Additionally, Walmart may offer support and assistance to expatriates during the repatriation phase to help them readjust to their home country’s work culture.

Internet-Based Employee Training and Development

Walmart extensively utilizes the internet for employee training and development purposes. The company leverages various online platforms, including web-based training modules, virtual classrooms, and interactive e-learning resources. This approach enables Walmart to reach a geographically dispersed workforce efficiently and provides employees with access to training materials, job-related information, and skill development opportunities, fostering continuous learning and professional growth.

Product Offerings in International Markets

Walmart tailors its product offerings to meet the specific needs and preferences of consumers in different international markets. The range of products available in Walmart’s international stores may vary by country or region. The company adapts its assortment to accommodate local tastes, cultural norms, and regulatory requirements, ensuring relevance and appeal to diverse customer segments worldwide.

International Promotion Strategies

Walmart employs various promotion strategies in its international markets, which may differ from those used in its domestic market. The specific promotional tactics employed by the company depend on factors such as cultural context, consumer behavior, and competitive dynamics in each market. Walmart’s marketing efforts in international locations often involve localizing advertisements, engaging with influencers, utilizing social media platforms, and participating in community initiatives to build brand awareness and connect with customers effectively.

 Distribution Channels in International Markets

Walmart utilizes diverse distribution channels to reach customers in its international markets. The company leverages a combination of owned and operated stores, franchising agreements, strategic partnerships, and e-commerce platforms to deliver products efficiently (Manuel, 2022). By adapting its distribution strategy to local market conditions, Walmart ensures seamless access to its products and services, both offline and online.

Global Procurement Practices

Walmart practices global procurement to source goods and services from various countries. The company procures a wide range of products, including consumer goods, electronics, apparel, and private-label merchandise, from different suppliers worldwide. By strategically sourcing from countries with competitive advantages in specific product categories, Walmart optimizes its supply chain, achieves cost efficiencies, and maintains a diverse and high-quality product assortment for its customers.

Global Production Practices

As a global retailer, Walmart engages in global production activities. The company manufactures and sources goods and services from multiple countries, taking advantage of global supply chains and leveraging economies of scale. Walmart’s global production spans various industries, such as apparel, consumer electronics, and household goods, enabling the company to offer affordable and diverse products to its customers.

Outsourcing and Insourcing

Walmart has both outsourced and insourced goods and services. The company outsources certain functions, such as information technology, logistics, and customer service, to specialized service providers. This approach allows Walmart to focus on its core competencies while benefiting from the expertise and efficiencies of external partners. Simultaneously, Walmart engages in insourcing activities, particularly in private-label manufacturing and product development, to exercise greater control over quality, cost, and innovation.

Membership in Supply Chains

Walmart is a key member of multiple supply chains. The company collaborates with suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers globally to ensure efficient and reliable delivery of products to its stores and customers. Walmart’s extensive network of supply chain partners enables it to maintain a robust and responsive global supply chain, optimizing inventory management and minimizing lead times.

 Import-Export Transactions and Currency Risks

Walmart engages in both import and export transactions across its international operations. Changes in the values of the currencies of countries where Walmart exports or imports goods can affect the company’s transactions and introduce currency risks. Appreciation of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar may increase the cost of imports and reduce the profitability of exported goods (Foreign Exchange and the Global Capital Markets, n.d.). Conversely, depreciation of a foreign currency may enhance the competitiveness of exports but increase the cost of imported goods. Walmart manages these currency risks through financial hedging strategies and diligent monitoring of exchange rate fluctuations.

Conclusion

Walmart’s global business practices encompass labor relations, employee training, product offerings, marketing strategies, distribution channels, procurement and production practices, outsourcing and insourcing activities, supply chain membership, and import-export transactions. Through careful adaptation to local markets, Walmart maintains its position as a leading multinational retailer, providing a diverse range of products and services to customers worldwide.

References

Foreign Exchange and the Global Capital Markets. (n.d.). https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_international-business/s11-00-foreign-exchange-and-the-globa.html 

Manuel, L. (2022, August 15). 6.1 International Entry Modes. Pressbooks. https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/globalmarketing/chapter/6-1-international-entry-modes/ 

Meuer, J., Kluike, M., Backes-Gellner, U., & Pull, K. (2019). Using expatriates for adapting subsidiaries’ employment modes to different market economies: a comparative analysis of US subsidiaries in Germany, the UK and Switzerland. European Journal of International Management, 13(3), 328. https://doi.org/10.1504/ejim.2019.099423