Walmart: Social Responsibility
Wal-Mart Social Responsibility Strategy
“Social responsibility is the practice of producing goods and services in a way that is not harmful to society or the environment”. (Cambridge Dictionary Online, 2013)
Walmart holds many accolades in the business world. It bosts over $400 billion in revenue annually. If this number were converted into GDP Walmart would have a larger economy than many countries combined and make it the 23rd largest economy in the world. Walmart and its holdings employs over 2.1 million employees making it the largest employer in the United States. What does this mean? It means Walmart is a bohemoth in the business world. Walmart has successfully made itself available to United States. By doing so it also placed itself on the spotlight because of many questionable, ethical or environmentally innappropriate decisions.
Walmart is sued approximately every two hours and is currently involved in litigation consisting of 1.6 million employees in the largest discrimination class action law suit with the potential cost to walmart over $11 billion.
Walmart has also been found guilty of dumping hazardous waste. July 28, 2013 walmart pled guilty to improperly disposing of pesticides, fertilizer, and hazardous materials. These types of hazardous materials were disposed of down the drain and also tossed into trash recepticals. The fine placed for violation of the clean water act among other enviormental laws was $81.6 Million dollars. In 2010 a similar allegation was brought to light and Walmart agreed pay $27.6 million to settle.
Walmart has direct impact on society’s health. Each additional Walmart added per 100,000 people increases the local obesity rate by 2.4%. (Business Insider, 2013).
These facts, both good and bad, are a reflection of a combination of decisions and oversights from executives at Walmart. For any business to survive it is imperative to establish a social responsibility strategy that keeps
“Social responsibility is the practice of producing goods and services in a way that is not harmful to society or the environment”. (Cambridge Dictionary Online, 2013)
Walmart holds many accolades in the business world. It bosts over $400 billion in revenue annually. If this number were converted into GDP Walmart would have a larger economy than many countries combined and make it the 23rd largest economy in the world. Walmart and its holdings employs over 2.1 million employees making it the largest employer in the United States. What does this mean? It means Walmart is a bohemoth in the business world. Walmart has successfully made itself available to United States. By doing so it also placed itself on the spotlight because of many questionable, ethical or environmentally innappropriate decisions.
Walmart is sued approximately every two hours and is currently involved in litigation consisting of 1.6 million employees in the largest discrimination class action law suit with the potential cost to walmart over $11 billion.
Walmart has also been found guilty of dumping hazardous waste. July 28, 2013 walmart pled guilty to improperly disposing of pesticides, fertilizer, and hazardous materials. These types of hazardous materials were disposed of down the drain and also tossed into trash recepticals. The fine placed for violation of the clean water act among other enviormental laws was $81.6 Million dollars. In 2010 a similar allegation was brought to light and Walmart agreed pay $27.6 million to settle.
Walmart has direct impact on society’s health. Each additional Walmart added per 100,000 people increases the local obesity rate by 2.4%. (Business Insider, 2013).
These facts, both good and bad, are a reflection of a combination of decisions and oversights from executives at Walmart. For any business to survive it is imperative to establish a social responsibility strategy that keeps