SECTION A [100 MARKS] Read the case study and answer ALL the questions that follow. Walmart: Organizational Structure & Organizational Culture Walmarts organizational structure determines the companys business activities. Currently, these activities are mainly in the retail industry, including operations in the e-commerce market. The companys corporate structure also imposes limits on how the business addresses its problems. Structural characteristics help facilitate the companys strategic implementations in capturing a bigger share of the retail market. In relation, Walmarts organizational culture determines the way people respond to challenges in the workplace. The resilience of the companys human resources partly depends on the mindset supported through the corporate culture. Cultural features help the retail business adapt to changes and emerging challenges in the international market. The long history of Walmart Inc. in succeeding and continually growing internationally shows that the firms organizational structure and organizational culture are helpful in bringing competitive advantages and success. The organizational structure interacts with the organizational culture to maintain the significant competitive advantage of Walmart against other firms, such as Amazon and Target, as well as Apple, Google, and other technology companies that have major online digital content distribution operations. Formerly named Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the company has a leadership position in the industry. Such a retail market position and potential long-term business success are linked to the beneficial and synergistic combination of the companys organizational structure and organizational culture. The characteristics and implications of the corporate culture are influenced by how the corporate structure supports human resource development and other aspects of Walmarts retail business operations, such as marketing, and strategic formulation and organizational design founded on the companys mission and vision. Walmarts Organizational Structure Walmart has a hierarchical functional organizational structure. This structure has two features: hierarchy and function-based definition. The hierarchy feature pertains to the vertical lines of command and authority throughout the organizational structure. For example, except for the CEO, every employee has a direct superior. Directives and mandates coming from the top levels of the companys management are implemented through middle managers down to the rank-and-file employees in Walmart stores. On the other hand, the function-based definition feature of the companys corporate structure involves groups of employees fulfilling certain functions. For example, Walmart has a department for the function of human resource management. The company also has a department for the function of information

technology, and another department for the function of marketing. These are just some of the numerous function-based departments in Walmarts organizational structure. The main effect of Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure is the ability of corporate managers to easily influence the entire organization. For example, new policies and strategies developed at the companys corporate headquarters are directly passed on to regional managers down to the store managers. In this way, effective monitoring and control are achieved through Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure. However, a downside of this corporate structure is that it has minimal support for organizational flexibility. The lower levels of the organizational structure cannot easily adjust business practices because of the lengthy communications and approval process involving the middle managers and corporate managers at Walmarts headquarters

technology, and another department for the function of marketing. These are just some of the numerous function-based departments in Walmarts organizational structure. The main effect of Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure is the ability of corporate managers to easily influence the entire organization. For example, new policies and strategies developed at the companys corporate headquarters are directly passed on to regional managers down to the store managers. In this way, effective monitoring and control are achieved through Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure. However, a downside of this corporate structure is that it has minimal support for organizational flexibility. The lower levels of the organizational structure cannot easily adjust business practices because of the lengthy communications and approval process involving the middle managers and corporate managers at Walmarts headquarters

technology, and another department for the function of marketing. These are just some of the numerous function-based departments in Walmarts organizational structure. The main effect of Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure is the ability of corporate managers to easily influence the entire organization. For example, new policies and strategies developed at the companys corporate headquarters are directly passed on to regional managers down to the store managers. In this way, effective monitoring and control are achieved through Walmarts hierarchical functional organizational structure. However, a downside of this corporate structure is that it has minimal support for organizational flexibility. The lower levels of the organizational structure cannot easily adjust business practices because of the lengthy communications and approval process involving the middle managers and corporate managers at Walmarts headquarters

Question 1 (20 Marks)

The long history of Walmart Inc. in succeeding and continually growing internationally shows that the firms organisational structure and organisational culture are helpful in bringing competitive advantages and success. In the context of the case study, critically evaluate the importance of organising and having an organisational structure for organisations like Walmart.

Question 1 (20 Marks)

The long history of Walmart Inc. in succeeding and continually growing internationally shows that the firms organisational structure and organisational culture are helpful in bringing competitive advantages and success. In the context of the case study, critically evaluate the importance of organising and having an organisational structure for organisations like Walmart.

Question 3 (20 Marks)

Walmart prioritises customers in its operations. Walmart approaches you to assist with the development of a competitive marketing strategy. Discuss the significance of the FOUR (4) Ps of the marketing mix when implementing the companys marketing strategy. Provide suitable examples to substantiate your discussion.