Verified Document

Wal-Mart's Reputation, And The Actions Term Paper

This is earned for shifts of 16-20 hours per day (Hightower, 2002). Public knowledge of such practices has become so prominent that citizens are opposing Wal-Mart's expansion even in the face of its promise to cut prices lower than any of its competitors. Apparently the ethics of the average American citizen are higher than that of Wal-Mart (McKay, 2004).

The proposed superstore in Los Angeles would cover about 25 acres and employ 600 workers. Of course the surface benefit of this is both job creation and lower prices for goods. Yet the deeper truths have become too prominent to be ignored.

Wal-Mart's success on the other hand is indicative of the state of the American workforce, which is impoverished to a state where they are forced to look for the lowest prices, regardless of ethics and morals. Wal-Mart itself perpetuates this, as even their American full-time workers are paid little over minimum wage, and their foreign workers receive below minimum wage, in addition to no health protection or benefits (McKay, 2004).

The cycle is perpetuated by Wal-Mart's practice of buying offshore for the cheapest possible prices, thus at the same time encouraging foreign sweatshops and undermining American jobs and wages. American...

The diversity of the economy in terms of small businesses and people-focused retailing is thus undermined. The unfair labor practices of Wal-Mart thus affects not only its own profit margins, but the income level of an entire nation, while also spreading its toxic influence abroad. The corporation thus remains in business as a result of those who have little choice but to take the offer of lowered prices, regardless of non-existent ethics.
The inability of Wal-Mart to keep its unfair labor practices under wraps has resulted in a general public disdain for its practices and philosophy. The increasing knowledge that the public has gained about Wal-Mart's labor practices Indeed, many consumers have made the decision to avoid Wal-Mart after learning of the company's practices (Hightower, 2002). One manifestation of this feeling is the public resistance of the company's

Sources used in this document:
The cycle is perpetuated by Wal-Mart's practice of buying offshore for the cheapest possible prices, thus at the same time encouraging foreign sweatshops and undermining American jobs and wages. American workers are thus forced to lower their standard of living and of working as a result, accepting lower wages with fewer benefits in order to benefit large corporations such as Wal-Mart (McKay, 2004).

The fact that corporations such as Wal-Mart are fed by impoverished labor forces results in an increasing gap between rich and poor, and even rich and the middle classes (McKay, 2004). The diversity of the economy in terms of small businesses and people-focused retailing is thus undermined. The unfair labor practices of Wal-Mart thus affects not only its own profit margins, but the income level of an entire nation, while also spreading its toxic influence abroad. The corporation thus remains in business as a result of those who have little choice but to take the offer of lowered prices, regardless of non-existent ethics.

The inability of Wal-Mart to keep its unfair labor practices under wraps has resulted in a general public disdain for its practices and philosophy. The increasing knowledge that the public has gained about Wal-Mart's labor practices Indeed, many consumers have made the decision to avoid Wal-Mart after learning of the company's practices (Hightower, 2002). One manifestation of this feeling is the public resistance of the company's
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Wal-Mart and Employee Rights Labor Cost Is
Words: 3810 Length: 12 Document Type: Essay

Wal-Mart and Employee Rights Labor cost is always considered as the main issue, mostly in case of employees' unionization at Wal-Mart. This was noticed when Wal-Mart showed a remarkable earning at the rate of 44% per annum for its labor working on hourly basis. Another point which brought this issue ahead was when the sales clerk of Wal-Mart in 2001 earned wages below Federal Poverty Scale. According to an issue of

Wal-Mart Company Background: Amongst the World's Biggest
Words: 2017 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Wal-Mart Company background: Amongst the world's biggest sellers as well as top ranking businesses comes the outstanding name of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. It competed against all of the rivals as well as demonstrated outstanding distinction amongst them by providing a profit 3 times bigger than France's Carrefour SA, which happens to be on the second place in the world's leading retailers. The workers at Wal-Mart surpass the volume of 1.2 million. With

Wal-Mart Key Issues/Problem Statement: How Can Wal-Mart's
Words: 1545 Length: 5 Document Type: Case Study

Wal-Mart Key Issues/Problem Statement: How can Wal-Mart's low cost strategy remain competitive? Root Cause(s): Wal-Mart targets low-income consumers. When forced to raise the price of essentials like food, sales go down. Sales are also down at the end of the month when consumers are running low on their funds and waiting for their paychecks. Wal-Mart will continue to pursue a cost leadership strategy. Advantages/Disadvantages: Advantages include the fact that there are many price-sensitive consumers

Wal-Mart Benefit Plan Analysis Wal-Mart
Words: 5041 Length: 15 Document Type: Essay

Wal-Mart is also deemed to be a company that greatly mistreats and discriminates against its employees but there has apparently been no reliable empirical data to back that up (Van Riper, 2008). The article concludes by conceding to some Wal-Mart critics. First, Wal-Mart cites Ohio University professor Richard Vedder, who points out that Bureau of Labor Statistics Data holds that Wal-Mart's wage structure lags behind the retail sector as a

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets: The Change,
Words: 1292 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

It is also a "what" problem, however, because the major issue Mr. McNerney, (and others at the company) need to address is "what needs to be changed." It is a "why" problem, moreover, because 3M executives need to endeavor to discover how 3M "lost its groove" (so-to-speak) in the first place, and how it might now go about getting it back. So the problem of #M's organizational leadership problem

Wal-Mart Background, Mission, Vision Today
Words: 2338 Length: 7 Document Type: Thesis

16; Wilbert, 2006, p. 2) Strategic process, planning and decision making As confirmed by Lee Scot's words regarding the aggressive strategy followed by each Wal-Mart store (Mohideen, 2009, p. 9), even if general stream planning and decision making is still largely centralized, being undertaken at the Wal-Mart Headquarters in Arkansas (for elements such as type of products to be sold, stores to be opened or closed, financial results and objectives, etc.),

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now