SECTION A [40 MARKS]

Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow.

Walmart: Organizational Structure & Organizational Culture Inside a Walmart store in Miami, Florida. Walmarts organizational structure is adequate, but the company needs to improve its 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. Walmarts Organizational Culture Walmarts organizational culture has four main components. These components guide employees behaviors, which determine organizational capacities to add value in the provision of retail service and related services to consumers.

The cultural components are also identified as Walmarts beliefs:

1. Service to customers 2. Respect for the individual 3. Strive for excellence 4. Action with integrity

In terms of service to customers, the company prioritizes customers in its operations. Walmart also recognizes the contributions of each employee to the success of the business. In addition, the firm strives for excellence in the performance of individual workers, teams, and the entire organization. In terms of maintaining integrity, Walmart

promotes the virtues of honesty, fairness, and impartiality in decision-making processes. Recommendations for Walmarts Organizational Culture and Structure Walmarts organizational structure is ideal for the companys type of business and global scope of operations. Managerial control and influence is maximized through this corporate structure, despite the vastness of the companys retail and related operations. However, Walmart can improve in applying its beliefs in the context of its organizational culture. These beliefs are ideal. Still, the company is frequently criticized about its failure to address employees concerns regarding low wages. Such criticisms point to the difference between the belief of respect for individuals in the organizations culture, and the actual treatment of the employees. Thus, a suitable recommendation for Walmart is to implement more effective measures for fulfilling the respect for the individual component of the organizational culture.

Source: https://panmore.com/walmart-organizational-structure-organizational-culture

Answer ALL the questions in this section.

QUESTION ONE (25 Marks)

Walmarts organisational structure determines the companys business activities. Currently, these activitiesare 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.Briefly explain Walmarts organisational structure and elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages.Discuss the significance of this structure on operational efficiency and competitive advantage.

QUESTION TWO (15 Marks)

Provide an overview of the importance of organising and examine how the THREE basic principles of organising can support the efficiency of Walmarts organisational structure.

SECTION B [60 MARKS]

Answer ANY THREE (3) questions in this section.

QUESTION THREE (20 Marks)

To enlighten the marketing professionals working for contemporary organisations on growing the market share of a business, critically examine the interdependent relationship that exists between the FIVE basic markets. Strengthen the discussion with applicable examples.

QUESTION FOUR (20 Marks)

Critically discuss the Human Resource Management responsibilities that HR professionals perform in managing an organisations human capital. Apply suitable examples to strengthen your discussion.

QUESTION FIVE (20 Marks)

Using practical examples, assess the FOUR (4) functions of management which form the foundations of any professional managerial position.

QUESTION SIX (20 Marks)

Examine the purpose and application of the 4Ps of the marketing mix when developing a companys marketing strategy. Provide appropriate examples to substantiate your discussion.